Vandals Target 3 Oakland Township Parks

Oakland Township's 1,000+ acres of parkland is one of its most defining features. The parks are used for recreation, events, enjoying and preserving nature.

And now, they're being vandalized.

The Oakland Township Parks and Recreation Commission announced at its Wednesday evening that vandals have been targeting three parks – , Marsh View and – defacing property and setting off explosive pop bottle bombs.

To help monitor the parks and prevent future vandalism, the township is turning to residents for help.

Anyone who sees suspicious persons or behavior at any of the township's parks is encouraged to call 911, said Commander Sgt. Tony Spencer. And anyone who has any information about the vandalism is asked to contact the substation at 248-652-4617.

Members of the Parks and Recreation Commission recently reported the incidents, which occurred in late June and early July, to the Oakland Township substation.

"We've been made aware of the vandalism at the parks," said Spencer. "I've asked deputies to beef up patrol."

Spencer also suggested the commission consider paying overtime for a deputy for "directed patrol specifically for the parks."

The township has cleaned up the affected areas, Oakland Township Parks and Recreation Department Director Becky McLogan said during the meeting, but the chemicals and manpower used to clean up the vandalized park property come at a cost.

The commission discussed other ways to deter vandalism, including posting signs indicating the area is patrolled by Oakland County Sheriff's deputies, though the commission decided against the signs by the end of the meeting.

“That would be the first thing painted over,” Parks and Recreation Commissioner Joseph Peruzzi said. “I’m suggesting we send a letter to some of the neighbors who border the parks.”

“It may be that there’s only one or two kids, or there could be more," Commissioner Alice Tomboulian speculated.

Frustrated members of the commission also discussed hiring mounted police, paying for extra patrols from township deputies and simply asking residents who live next to the parks to be aware.

“These are your parks," Commissioner Colleen Barkham said. “If you live near these parks, do you know where your teenagers are at night?”