More razors found on playground

Deepa Bharath

COSTA MESA -- Police found several razor blades in Lions Park on

Tuesday, making it the third city park to be affected by the disturbing

discoveries, officials said.

A mother picked up one blade Tuesday morning from playground equipment

at the park in the 500 block of West 18th Street, police said. She

brought it to the police substation across from the park.

On Thursday, the city posted warning signs in Heller Park on 16th

Street, where razor blades were found March 30, April 1, and April 17.

Cautionary signs have also been placed in Pinkley Park on Ogle Street,

where police found blades April 16.

No one has been injured so far, police said.

Officials say investigators have leads but no suspects yet.

Officers have been patrolling all of the city parks over the last two

weeks, said Costa Mesa Police Lt. Dale Birney. Tuesday’s finding was

similar to the others, he said.

“We’ve upgraded patrol in all parks, especially in the south and west,

where the incidents have occurred so far,” Birney said.

Police are cautioning parents to accompany and supervise their

children in parks.

Local residents say they are alarmed by the chilling discoveries aimed

at hurting children.

Bud Haley, who lives near Heller Park, said he wants to offer a

monetary reward for anybody who gives information leading to the arrest

and conviction of the person or people behind the incidents.

“This is one of the most horrible stories I’ve ever heard,” he said.

“It’s a malicious act against innocent children.”

Juliana Osborne, who calls Heller Park an “extension of our backyard,”

said she is keeping her children and her dog away from the park.

“I’m afraid the razor blades could be anywhere, not just on the

playground equipment.” she said. “It’s very disturbing, and it’s making

us curtail our activities.”