City park vandals sought

For the third time this summer, city Public Services workers have repaired or remounted the water fountain in Countryview Park.

Like several of Crestview’s public parks, Countryview has suffered a spate of vandalism since school let out for the summer.

“It’s just a shame,” lamented Crestview Mayor David Cadle. “We try to provide a place for families to enjoy recreational time, and then we have to deal with some peoples’ malicious intent.”

City officials believe kids are causing the vandalism. Police patrols have been stepped up around city parks and have arrested several children in conjunction with the destruction.

“We were able to prosecute in the last big vandalism we had at Countryview, and those kids are in the process of paying restitution,” said city Parks & Recreation Director Chuck Powell.

“It’s not your typical carving your name in a picnic table,” described Administrative Services Director Mike Wing. “They get real serious.”

Damage has included torn out or destroyed water fountains and playground equipment, and spray-painting  graffiti on structures and facilities.

Powell said over the July 4 weekend, vandals set off fireworks in the Twin Hills Park restrooms, damaging equipment.

Equipment in the children’s playground at Twin Hills Park also suffered severe damage recently. Mothers taking their children to the park to play were inconvenienced while city workers made repairs, Wing said.

“Every time it happens it costs between $500 and $600 to get it straightened out, and that doesn’t include the man hours,” Powell said. “We have to pull workers off other projects. It’s just frustrating.”

Added Wing: “We try to repair the damage pretty quick because they’re so heavily used this time of year. The parks must then be closed for repairs during our busiest season, and scarce funds have to be spent to repair them.”

Police have apprehended children 10 years old or younger in connection with the vandalism, Wing said.

“I feel that the parents of these young people would be shocked if they knew that their children were involved in destroying facilities built for them to use,” Wing said.

“What especially bothers me is, how do parents not know where their children are?” Cadle said.

Wing asks anyone who notices people, especially kids, hanging around parks at night, or people who have information about vandals in city parks, promptly contact the Crestview Police Department. City officials promise to prosecute those who are caught and convicted.

“It can be done but we need some tips and leads,” said Powell.