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Protecting Parks from Vandalism

Protecting Parks from Vandalism

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Even beautiful, well-maintained parks can be the target of vandalism. Park bathrooms, pavilions, and playground equipment are among a long list of recipients under the torment of vandals.

Some vandals are youth that are bored and find a dark entertainment from committing thoughtless mischievous acts. There is also the lone wolf or the angry mob the wishes to inflict harm to the public park. Regardless of the reason, when a park shows signs of neglect other more serious crimes like drugs, prostitution, and gang violence besiege and penetrate the neighborhood.

Ideally, communities need to partner with their local police and park rangers to combat the dangers that infiltrate their public parks.  Shutting down a park to avoid protecting and maintaining a park is not an option, because safe clean parks are essential to the over all well being of the community. Multiple studies have been conducted and show protected parks enhance the property values of the nearby homes and add to the physical and mental health to the residents.

Unfortunately, keeping the vandals out of parks is difficult.

To stop vandalism, graffiti, and theft at your park certain measures must be in place:

  • Make sure there is adequate lighting
  • Create activities and programs that involve the community
  • Have Site Managers
  • Display Maps at entrances and walk routes
  • Have Security Measures in place, such as Park Vandalism Cameras
  • Clean up all vandalism and graffiti immediately
  • Maintain safety measures for the park and all park equipment

Safe parks are essential to the well being of the community and should be protected from vandalism to keep the park safe.

 

 

Keep Parks Free from Vandalism

Keep Parks Free from Vandalism

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Parks are essential and should be protected from Vandalism. Imagine your favorite childhood playground. What comes to mind when you picture it? More than likely, you reminisce over fond childhood memories like gliding down a shiny, bright red slide and flying high on the chain-link swing. Maybe even jumping off to see how far you’ll land. You probably do not think about broken-down park benches and swear words scratched into the play equipment. However, sadly for the community, this is what some parks have become. It takes large amounts of money to fix damages done to parks and ensure a continual beauty of recreation sites.

In Louisville, KY, a 2015 report showed that there have been nearly $400,000 worth of damages done to city parks. This problem has gotten worse. Among the damages are vandalism, graffiti, and theft. A common occurrence that Louisville parks face is stolen trash cans. Thieves can make around $3 for reselling a metal trash can, whereas it costs parks $10 or more to replace. This seemingly small number adds up to a sum that could be used towards city events or updating community gathering areas.

Unfortunately, vandalism and destruction are fates public places regularly face, but there are ways to stop the damage and costs that parks encounter daily.

To stop vandalism, graffiti, and theft at your park you must:

  • Make sure there is adequate lighting
  • Create activities and programs that involve the community
  • Have Site Managers
  • Display Maps at entrances and walk routes
  • Have Security Measures in place, such as Park Vandalism Cameras
  • Clean up all vandalism and graffiti immediately
  • Maintain safety measures for the park and all park equipment

Accepting the ruin of community recreational sites is not an option. Protect your community and maintain a safe and beautiful park.

 

Park Vandalism Decreases City Revenue

Park Vandalism Decreases City Revenue

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Park vandalism decreases the city revenue and should be stopped.

Many people were given tax breaks and a stimulus check due to the financial difficulties brought on by COVID-19. While people practiced social distancing and stayed safe indoors, it created the perfect opportunity for criminals and scoundrels to vandalize parks, homes, and public property. Park vandalism skyrocketed during the months of quarantine and social isolation.

Unfortunately, as the community recovers from the isolation and economic ramifications, park vandalism has not abated. And the communities hit the hardest by park vandalism are also those financially struggling the most.  Besides, the depression and lack of safety, cities suffer in in many ways when they are struck by the crime of vandalism. When the residents and businesses are not thriving financially, the city is hit in the revenue pocketbook.

Everyone knows the three most important factors when buying a property: location, location, location. Vandalism makes it harder for cities to build revenue because it defaces the image and reputation of the location. It also makes the real estate value decrease.

When real estate value goes down, it affects the marketplace and overall city revenue. This makes it harder for people who live in these cities to keep their jobs and homes.

What are cities to do to combat this and protect their city revenue?

Here are some ideas:

  • Increase city police budget
  • Install Park Vandalism Cameras 
  • Post signs of park hours
  • Install fences to minimize entry
  • Install vandal proof equipment
  • Increase the fine for city vandalism

 

#FightVandalism #StopVandalism #KeepOurCitiesClean

 

Protecting Skate Parks and Splash Pads

Protecting Skate Parks and Splash Pads

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A skate park and a splash park are great assets to the community and should be protected from vandalism and graffiti.

The community skate park and splash pad add a lot of entertainment and outdoor exercise for both youth and adults.  Outdoor exercise is known to decrease the probability of illness and depression. What better opportunity for outdoor exercise than a skate park or a splash pad?  It is exercise in the disguise of play and socialization.

The time, energy, and cost in creating a skate park and splash pad can be daunting, but it is well worth the effort.  According to the Tony Hawk Foundation, the average cost to build a skate park runs between $200,000- $400,000, with an additional cost to maintain.  According to Chelan County, the estimated cost to create a splash pad is between $800,000-$2,000,000, also with an additional cost to maintain.

With investing so much into a park, it is essential to protect it.

Unfortunately, both skate parks and splash pads are frequently targeted with graffiti and vandalism. This crime is ghastly as it affects the entire community.  Additional unfortunate details are graffiti and vandalism bring down the property values and usher in more devastating crime into the community, such as drugs and violence.  Graffiti and vandalism bring down the entire community’s quality-of-life.

Therefore, it is important to protect your parks from vandalism and graffiti, these quality-of-life offenders. It is also imperative you protect your dollar asset and the hard work that went into building those awesome parks the community loves.

How to protect your park’s assets:

  • Maintain adequate lighting at night
  • Post operating hours
  • Enclose the park with fencing
  • Install Park Vandalism Cameras– designed specifically to stop quality-of-life crimes

Traditional video cameras do not stop quality-of-life crimes.

What is your city doing to protect your great park achievements?