Date: Fri 03-Jul-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

Treadwell-vandalism-Park-Rec

Full Text:

Vandalism Causes Pool Closures At Treadwell

BY ANDREW GOROSKO

Although the swimming season isn't yet half over, it has been a tough time at

the town swimming pools at Treadwell Park.

The pools have been wracked by vandalism, pool closures, and instances of

people using the kiddy pool as a toilet, intentionally or not.

So far, the pools have had to close three times, according to Barbara

Kasbarian, town director of parks and recreation.

Overnight on June 24/25 a person or persons climbed over the fencing that

surrounds the pools and threw all types of loose gear into the large swimming

pool, as well as defecating in the kiddy pool.

The two pools' contamination required that they be super-chlorinated to

eliminate potential health problems, resulting in the pools being closed for

several hours the following day.

In mid-June someone defecated in the kiddy wading pool while it was in use by

the public, Ms Kasbarian said. Lifeguards reported there were no toddlers in

the kiddy pool at the time of the incident, she said.

Swimming pools must be strictly maintained to prevent the threat of swimmers

becoming contaminated with the harmful E. coli bacteria, Ms Kasbarian said.

Also, nocturnal intruders climbing over the pool fence have damaged the fence.

Police have been notified of various incidents of vandalism at the pools, Ms

Kasbarian said.

Earlier this year, someone climbed atop the pool house and systematically tore

off shingles to create letters of the alphabet and messages on the north face

and south face of the pool house roof, Ms Kasbarian said.

Two incidents caused an estimated $2,500 worth of roofing damage at the pool

house, she said.

Police have reported that sometime between May 16 and 18 someone ripped

shingling off the pool house roof and threw the shingles onto the covers of

the two pools. A similar incident took place between April 24 and 28.

Police are seeking information from anyone who knows who did the damage.

In incidents which weren't obvious cases of vandalism, pool workers on

different occasions found a dead mouse and a dead mole in the swimming pool.

Early in the season when the dead mouse was found, a pool closure was

required.

When the dead mole was found on the morning of June 26, pool workers were able

to super-chlorinate, and thus protect, the pool so that it could open on

schedule.

When the pools opened in 1993, there was a rash of vandalism, Ms Kasbarian

said. That prompted the town to hire security guards to stay at the pool

overnight. But such overnight protection proved quite expensive, Ms Kasbarian

said.