Vandalism hits danger level in Post Falls park

POST FALLS — Vandals struck twice in one week at Post Falls’ Tullamore Park, and Post Falls Parks and Recreation staff are asking for the public’s help.

“We’ve seen a big increase in the amount of damage that is happening,” said Parks Manager Bryan Myers.

In this case, the damage is dangerous.

Last week, a visitor to Tullamore Park, located at 3673 E. Bogie Drive, discovered that a screw had been inserted upward through the bottom of the slide so any child going down it could sustain a serious injury.

Myers said that one child already was injured and there is an ongoing police investigation in process.

Notification of the incident quickly spread to social media and Myers said the Parks and Recreation department found out about it this way.

Maintenance staff immediately went to the park and a citizen had already removed the screw.

“This is deliberate — someone is intending to do harm,” Myers said. And harm to the city's children garners a swift response from maintenance staff and local police.

Then again Tuesday, between the hours of 3-6 p.m., it happened again.

Parks and Recreation staff were notified the vandal had returned to Tullamore Park and placed another screw into the slide.

Myers told the City Council that some public feedback received by the department on Facebook suggested the maintenance staff wasn't doing a good job.

He said the staff would have inspected the park that morning.

“We go out on a daily basis and do a high-frequency inspection,” he said. “We perform a custodial level inspection that includes inspection of the playground and general park structures, cleaning of the restroom facilities, removal of foreign objects from structures and an inspection for safety.”

During peak season, which goes from Memorial Day through October, Myers said inspections are done in each of the 26 parks and recreation areas managed by the city.

Anytime vandalism goes beyond simple cleanup, the Parks and Recreation department involves the Post Falls Police Department, and a report is filed.

“After this hit social media, the very next week I met with Capt. McLean,” Myers said. “We’ve identified a strategy to try to increase surveillance and get this turned around in the Tullamore neighborhood.”

This year there have been 31 occurrences of vandalism in Post Falls parks, Myers said. The damage has cost the city about $11,000. Last year there were 22 incidents of vandalism costing over $3,300 in damage.

Parks and Recreation is looking into installing cameras at some parks and they're asking the public to help catch the vandals.

“The neighborhood usually catches the vandal,” said Councilman Steve Anthony. “We need your help on this.”

Parks and Recreation department employees can’t be in all places at once, so the locals that use these public spaces can be that vital missing piece in catching vandals.

Myers said the best way the public can notify the city of vandalism or needed repairs is by emailing parkrepair@postfallsidaho.org.

That email address is monitored daily and will get a quick response.

Further info: postfallsidaho.org, Parks & Recreation tab, bmyers@postfallsidaho.org, 208-773-0539