MINE HILL TOWNSHIP, NJ (Morris County) – Profanities and inappropriate drawings were written on playground equipment in Mine Hill Township.
According to Mine Hill Township Fire Chief Brian Daboul, over the past several weeks, parents of children using the equipment at Fireman’s Field, located on Baker Street, reported profanities and inappropriate drawings on both the interior and exterior of the equipment.
The unknown individual(s) damaged the equipment by drawing on it with marker and paint.
“It took our volunteer firefighters three coats of stain to cover up the damage on their personal time,” Daboul told RNJ.
Daboul said that this type of damage has been on an ongoing issue with the playground equipment. In 2023, fire department personnel also noticed damage to the playground and fence caused by vandalism.
The damage reported on April 14 is not the same as reported in 2023, according to Daboul.
“The Mine Hill Fire Department playground and field are maintained by our volunteers and funded by donations. Unfortunately, some have recently demonstrated they don’t appreciate this by painting inappropriate images and wording on our playground equipment as well as damaging brand new fencing and smashing glass bottles in walking areas. Please be advised there are cameras in place and investigation is underway,” Daboul said in a Facebook post.
“If this behavior continues the Mine Hill Fire Department may be forced to close the field and park to the public which is not beneficial to anyone,” the post said.
Wharton Borough Police, who patrols Mine Hill Township, will increase the frequency of property checks at the location and with more desirable weather approaching, a bicycle unit may be assigned to the area in order to identify the suspect(s) who are committing the vandalism, according to information provided to RNJ.
Anyone with information in encouraged to contact the Wharton Borough Police Department at 973-366-0557.
