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Bleachers

Stop Metal Theft in Parks

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Parks are where people go in the community to have fun and relax with friends and family. Sadly, there are people within the community who are ruining the fun by stealing metal from the parks. Unfortunately, more and more metal thefts are occurring in the United States. Parks are especially affected by this nuisance crime, and it needs to be stopped.

Parks are being targeted by thieves for the metal within the lighting systems, circuit breakers, but most surprisingly the bleachers and/or benches. Who would have thought bleachers were the target of theft?  But the bleachers are important, and this type of theft is becoming an epidemic. The community uses bleachers to enjoy the day at the park, or even to watch community ball games.  Cities are taking this issue seriously because it effects their budget.

The city must replace the bleachers that were stolen for the sole purpose of the metal, sold by the thieves as “scrap” metal. According to The Park Catalog, many states and cities have been victim to this type of crime. When bleachers are stolen it costs the city about $14,000 to replace the bleachers in the parks.

There are solutions to the problem of metal theft in parks.

Inform the community of the problem. The community is a very important asset to use to help stop metal theft. When citizens in the community are informed, they will recognize when the act of metal theft is taking place and will call to report the incident, giving information needed to prosecute.

Traditional surveillance does not stop the crime nor are images captured with the resolution needed to prosecute.   However, Park Vandalism Cameras, specifically designed to stop crimes such as graffiti, vandalism, and metal theft are essential tools in stopping this activity and providing prosecutable evidence that stands up in court.

Don’t compromise your parks, stop the metal theft.

Winter Park Vandalism

Winter Park Vandalism

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Winter is no time to slack on protecting the park from vandalism.  Other measures are taking place to protect the park during the winter, such as draining pools and winterizing the playground equipment.  But how tragic it would be to have to deal with playground or pavilion vandalism damage.

Even though parks may close or be restricted for the winter season, vandalism still occurs, and the destructive behavior does not stop. With less park attendees, vandals see this as an opportunity to trespass without being seen.  Therefore, continuing their destructive acts of vandalism and graffiti.

This subjects your facilities, which are vulnerable to thousands of dollars in vandalism or graffiti damages. As part of your park asset management and vandalism prevention program, ensure your park is protected all year round. Take proactive measures, incorporating Park Vandalism Cameras, specifically designed to stop vandalism and graffiti within parks, especially remote areas where park pavilions and playgrounds are installed.

Being proactive instead of reactive to a crime saves the park department money and preserves the safety of the overall well being of the community.

Every community deserves safe, clean parks for recreation and enjoyment.

What is your park’s department doing to protect your park during the winter?

To ensure your park’s department is ready for the spring season, a Vandalism Protect Program must be implemented.

 

End Park Vandalism

End Park Vandalism

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Park Vandalism is a costly problem in the United States affecting all communities and the number of incidents is increasing every year. Vandalism, an old term from the 1700s during the French Revolution, is still happening today.  Sometimes it is affiliated with protests, unrest, and angry mobsters, but predominately it occurs at parks by youth who are bored or up to mischief. Ending park vandalism is difficult.

Parks are prime targets due to remote areas that are left unprotected.  Installing lighting and hiring around the clock security is costly and not practical.  To end park vandalism, some parks have installed traditional camera systems which incur costs for wiring power and making sure there is an adequate light source when it becomes dark, when most vandalism occurs. Although cost is a big factor in installing traditional surveillance, cost is not the only problem traditional surveillance brings to the table.  Typical video surveillance cannot produce quality images for prosecution and has shown to provide little to no deterrence in stopping vandalism.

In order to protect the new playground equipment, pavilion, and skate park, a Vandalism Prevention Program must be implemented.

A Vandalism Prevention Program includes:

Park Vandalism Deterrent Systems are completely self-contained, have their own power source and lighting.  They are specifically designed to stop unwanted activity in parks, such as vandalism.  They can be used anywhere, especially remote areas that are hard to monitor.

As the quality-of-life crimes increase, it is more important than ever that your parks’ department is equipped with the right tools to combat these nuisance crimes.

What is your park doing to end park vandalism?

#Saveourparks #novandalism #ParksandRec

Family in the park

Park Vandalism – Life Quality

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A community park adds a whole slew of value and quality to the life of the community.  Unfortunately, vandalism that occurs at the park has the opposite effect, stealing quality of life from the neighborhood and the surrounding city.

Parks provide a place to relax and detox from life’s constant demands.  Parks offer open spaces with grass for one to run and play ball, a playground to climb and swing, or a lake to feed the ducks. Regardless of the grounds, the open space to be free and play in the sun is a great way to fight depression.  However, visible vandalism can have the opposite effect, creating depression.

Parks are a great place to sweat out or relax from every day little stresses.  But park vandalism creates an unsafe space filled with danger and trepidation, causing anxiety and a feeling that the area is overrun by people who will not comply with the governing laws or respect the human being.  An unsafe park will foster more crime, making the whole community at risk to more violent crimes.

Parks bring value to the community financially.  Naturally, most people enjoy living close to a park they can enjoy within minutes.  A clean safe park with much to offer increases the property value of nearby homes and the whole community reaps the benefits of a desired area to live.  Sadly, park vandalism decreases the property value of homes nearby and the whole community suffers the loss of value.

Park Vandalism creates depression, anxiety, and loss of financial stability.

What can be done?

To keep a park safe, clean, and very attractive, parks should offer a variety of activities, keep the park lively and full of people, and provide security.  A Park Vandalism Deterrent Program should be implemented using Park Vandalism Cameras, specifically design to stop vandalism.  Traditional video surveillance does not stop quality of life crimes.