Vandals are costing taxpayers plenty in the City of Clearlake. Ongoing problems with destruction and graffiti are leaving city parks in an eyesore of a mess.
Newly remodeled restroom facilities, ADA compliant water fountains and park amenities donated by local civic clubs are among the many casualties suffered at the hands of those lacking consideration for public property. The Clearlake Public Works Department is seeking help from the community to stop the needless destruction, which is occurring on a weekly basis.
On Monday, Aug. 28, during the evening hours, the ADA compliant drinking fountain at Ussery Court in Austin Park was completely destroyed at a loss of approximately $2,300. Public Works Superintendent Jim Hale reported finding a large rock near the mutilated fountain, which he believes was used to destroy the unit. He further reported that several youngsters and young adults were in the area when he arrived on site to shut off the water, however, all had said that they had not seen anything.
“I don”t know when or how we are going to replace it,” said Hale. “It was advertised as just about indestructible and they beat it to pieces. Right now all I can do is pull it out and cap it.”
The water fountain was not the only thing vandalized last week at Austin Park. Picnic table units that were recently provided by the Lakeshore Lions Club also suffered attack. A Public Works crew of two spent a full work day stripping and cleaning the cement benches in order to remove the mass graffiti that had littered them. Next time, Hale said, the crew will have to paint the benches because the graffiti removing solvent used also stripped the tables of the protective coating that had been on them.
“This is money that could be spent anywhere else in this town,” Hale said, pointing out that the time that his crews spend cleaning up the messes left by vandals is time that they could have been spent on roadway projects.
In Redbud Park, several tables remain unrepaired. Those units, which were also donated to the community by the Lakeshore Lions Club, were destroyed in March of this year. The Lions had offered a monetary reward leading to the arrest and conviction of person(s) responsible for the needless destruction; however, no help from the community was generated. A total of 11 benches and picnic tables were destroyed at a cost of more than $800.
The restrooms at Redbud Park, which were renovated with use of grant funds only four years ago, have also become a favorite target for vandals and vagrants. Constant repair and maintenance of the facilities is primary concern for Hale.
“We are wasting so much of the taxpayers” money just up keeping our parks. The people need to help us police this a little bit,” Hale stated. “It”s just a huge loss to a poor community.”
Hale and the Public Works Department are requesting that people of the community speak up and call the police when they see city parks being abused. “If you see someone vandalizing our parks, call the police,” Hale asks, “or walk across the street to the police department.”
To report misconduct in city parks call the Clearlake Police Department at 994-8251.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
