Bethel Twp. looks to improve security after park vandalism

Bethel Twp. officials are re-evaluating security after a park was vandalized there over the weekend.

Raynor Park was found with multiple tire tracks in its football field Sunday morning. The damage uprooted the Park Layne Wee Arrows from playing their last home game of the season on their home field.

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Clark County Sgt. Erin Trimble said deputies are investigating the damage done to the field after a vehicle turned up grass and left the ground pitted. This is the second case of vandalism the park has experienced in the past seven months.

“Back in the spring, same thing, kids, someone down here joyriding tearing up the fields,” said Susan Calmes, a volunteer of the Tecumseh Area Youth Soccer Association.

The actions are disappointing and dangerous to volunteers, nonprofits and children, Calmes said.

Township officials were at the park Monday looking at the damage and surveillance video. The video showed an unidentified, sports utility vehicle doing “donuts” on the field for about three minutes. But it didn’t show the license plate.

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Bethel Twp. Trustee Nancy Brown said the township has been talking about upgrading the surveillance system for years but now they plan to take action. Officials received a quote about upgrading the system soon after viewing the video.

“With upgraded cameras we would be able to see further, probably clear down to the entrance of the park,” Brown said. “They would be able to get clearer pictures at night.”

Brown and others also will also consider putting up barriers in certain places, she said, to block access in the park at night to avoid cases of vandalism from occurring again.

Lawn Plus of West Alexandria announced it will repair the damages at the park for free.

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Wee Arrows spokesman Chad Hayes said the damage to the field came on a particularly important day as the last home game of the season also celebrates player’s parents.

“The organization has put a lot of money and a lot of time getting this field ready for football and cheerleading this year and it is just a shame to see,” Hayes said.

Park Layne Pee Wee Arrows Football and Cheer is a nonprofit organization providing athletic opportunities to around 80 first through sixth graders in the Tecumseh School District. It played its game Sunday at the Tecumseh Cubs field in New Carlisle.

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