Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Eastpointe’s Kennedy Park isn’t alone when it comes to problems with graffiti and other types of vandalism. Roseville officials also say that park vandalism is an issue in their city.

By April Lehmbeck
C & G Staff Writer

EASTPOINTE/ROSEVILLE — Both Eastpointe and Roseville have plenty of parks for families to enjoy —but some people decide that defacing the parks is more fun than playing in them.

Eastpointe discussed a recent problem with vandalism in the parks at a meeting early this month.

“It was a great discussion,” Mayor Suzanne Pixley said. “It's not that vandalism is a huge problem, it’s that we have seen some and we want to work together to prevent it from escalating. 

“Both Parks and Rec’s director, Maureen Carter, and Police Inspector John Calabrese spoke to what each of their departments were doing to keep track of the isolated events,” she said. “We’re working together to limit the events, as well as trying to develop a plan to prevent it.” 

Eastpointe isn’t alone in this. Roseville is tackling vandalism in the parks, as well.

“(It) actually seems to be worse this summer,” Roseville Parks and Recreation Director Tony Lipinski said. “What we want to do is spend the money to provide new playgrounds, new facilities … but when we keep backpedaling trying to repair what we have because somebody’s defacing it … it just takes time and money.

“It’s just sad … that they have to do damage to other people’s property for no reason,” Lipinski said. “I have a door I have to repair, I have a lock I have to repair and I have some plumbing we have to fix.”

This isn’t just a matter of having to go back and fix things, but it causes the Parks and Recreation Department to have to assess how it is going to continue offering the amount of recreational activities and programs that it does. Fixing these problems takes time and money away from other offerings, according to Lipinski.

Residents wonder why bathrooms in the parks are closed, as well.

“We open them and they get vandalized,” Lipinski said. “We hope that the people would take care of this property because, in truth, this is their property.”

Lipinski isn’t sure if it is juveniles doing the damage.

“I wonder that, if it is kids, do their parents know what they’re doing?” Lipinski said.

The police in Roseville do a good job policing the parks, according to Lipinski, but they have other issues that they are dealing with on a daily basis. Some vandals get caught and then the city can get reimbursed, but this doesn’t happen as often as the city would like.

Eastpointe uses reserve police officers to drive around the parks so that there is more of a presence there.

The neighboring cities want people to keep their eyes and ears attuned to stop any vandalism.

“We encourage all citizens who notice or hear or see something amiss to call or notify the park attendant, the parks department or the Police Department so we can remain on top of this,” Pixley said. “We have some of the most beautiful parks around and we want to keep these parks in great shape for all of our residents. 

“The same applies to the occasional graffiti that we see on stop signs, buildings or walls,” she added. “If you see someone doing it, please notify the Police Department. They have apprehended several (offenders) recently, and will continue to do so.”