A community on edge

Deepa Bharath

COSTA MESA -- Bud Haley’s children come to Heller Park every day to

play in the sand, on the slides and in the swings.

So do several other families in the neighborhood. But lately, parents

have been thinking twice about taking their children to the park because

razor blades have been found on playground equipment on three occasions

at Heller Park -- on March 30, April 1 and April 17.

Similar discoveries were also made at Pinkley Park on Ogle Street on

April 16 and at Lions Park on West 18th Street as recently as Tuesday.

Though nobody has been hurt so far, residents want the incidents to

cease.

In an attempt to catch the culprit, Haley started a reward fund to

which local businesses and residents may contribute. He hopes to collect

at least $5,000 that could be awarded to someone who offers information

results in an arrest.

“Maybe that’ll motivate somebody to help us out here,” Haley said.

“This is not a major fund-raising effort. We’re just local neighborhood

people trying to prevent something bad from happening to our kids.”

On Wednesday afternoon, few families were out in Heller Park with

their children. The city had put up a few warning signs, but one of them

was ripped off.

Parks maintenance worker James Boucher said he’s been checking the

playground equipment three times a day since last week.

“I’ve worked for the city 16 years, and I’ve never seen anything like

this here,” he said. “We’re being very careful, and we’re taking this

very seriously.”

Parent Yolanda Campbell said she was unaware of the razor blades until

Wednesday.

“I was horrified,” she said. “My kids play here three days a week.

They like to run around barefoot, but now, obviously, they can’t do

that.”

Detectives are investigating various leads, said Costa Mesa Police Lt.

Dale Birney. On Tuesday, officers brought out a bloodhound to Lions Park,

he said.

“The hounds were able to pick up a scent and traced it back to Heller

Park,” Birney said.

The Police Department may be doing its best, but that does not comfort

anxious parents, Haley said.

“Kids these days have limited areas where they can play,” he said.

“This is supposed to be a safe haven for these kids. It’s very

unfortunate.”

sh FYI

Individuals or businesses interested in contributing to Bud Haley’s

Reward Fund may call him at (949) 548-2500.