Goodrich – Park vandalism is making Goodrich officials think twice about putting tax money into recreational improvements.
Lately, Goodrich Department of Public Works employees have been cleaning up after vandals at least weekly, says Goodrich village administrator Jakki Sidge.
‘Last week they went behind the DPW and took materials, piled up materials’it looks like they made a fort. They ruined the tops of tables with carving and writing in them,? said Sidge. ‘When the DPW comes in and they have to untangle all this mess, we’re paying them to take care of it instead of the parks or roads being taken care of.?
In the past, garbage items and DPW materials have been taken, DPW equipment has had windows smashed out, and items have been dropped into the gas tanks.
Portable toilets have been tipped over, and materials and tables tossed in the creek.
The heavy pavilion tables, which weigh nearly 400 pounds each, are also stacked up, presumably to use for skating, said Sidge, who’s concerned about the safety of vandals.
Currently, there are four tennis courts in the village park, located on Erie Street. Basketball hoops have been installed on one court, and the village is working with Goodrich Schools athletic staff to make it a full-range basketball court.
‘We’re thinking of working on basketball courts or a place for inline skating, but we have concerns,? said Sidge. ‘We want to make more recreational opportunities, but there appears to not be any respect for property that people are paying taxes on.?
Ryan Kemp, 17, and his friends use the basketball courts in the village park.
‘I think it’s pathetic,? he said. ‘This is our town and it’s just getting worse because of kids like us and something needs to change.?
‘It’s probably just a certain group of kids that don’t really care,? said Goodrich resident Sean Rooney, 17.
The vandalism has been an ongoing problem, says Deputy Dave McDonald, of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Atlas Township precinct.
‘That’s where community involvement helps,? he said, encouraging residents to call 911 or the sheriff’s department if inappropriate park activity is observed.
To contact the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department, call (810) 257-3460.