Vandalism at Forest Hill Park Lake Site
David Hathcock mentioned it previously here but I wanted to call some more attention to this crime.
Contractors for the lake restoration project are already reporting some vandalism and the equipment has not even arrived yet.
So far the problem has been limited to surveying stakes being removed and the security fencing ripped down. Of course, this may be just nuisance, but it could also be an effort to wreck the project. Please keep an eye out for people in the park at night, or people who don’t belong there. Please call police if you see vandalism occurring.
As far as we are concerned, this is a crime against the neighborhoods, a crime against an historic resource and a crime against the environment health of Reedy Creek, James River.
I was in the Park on Friday and noticed that this same area of fencing was bent, but not as badly. I wonder if one of two things may be happening: deer who want water may be damaging the fence, or homeless folks who may spend the night in the shelter and use the pond water are making their way over. I visit the Park almost daily and rarely see kids there who might make trouble, but I never go there at night. Considering what damage vandals COULD do in the Park now and anytime, it has always amazed me that there isn’t more vandalism, especially since Police patrols around the pond seemed to have stopped years ago.
BTW, I really appreciate that the fencing was installed so that one can still use the walkways around the pond. I suppose that that my not be permanent, but in the meantime it is great.
Dunno if they’re still up, but when I was collection video just after the fences were put up, there was at least one sign from some group claiming “if you put them up, we’ll tear them down”.
I know the “love house” is a place where several roudy kids like to hang out and drink beer, hoot and hollar, and ruin nat sound recordings.
Proably the same bunch.
Someone raised an interesting point though, does this fence keep local wildlife from accessing water?