Vandals tear up Bayou Wheels

BY JIM MUSTIAN
THE DAILY IBERIAN
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 2:09 PM CST

During Hurricane Gustav, a large oak tree in City Park fell across a chain link fence surrounding the Bayou Wheels Skate Park. But it was not until Tuesday that the skate park bore the appearance of an area devastated by a storm. 

The tree, as it turns out, left a gaping hole in the skate park’s fence that might have made possible what Tracy Lasseigne called a “sad” act of vandalism.

When Lasseigne, the skate park’s supervisor, arrived at work a little before noon Tuesday, he could not believe his eyes.

the sight of overturned benches trash cans and other objects greeted Bayou Wheels Skate Park volunteer supervisor. — JIM MUSTIAN / THE DAILY IBERIAN

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“This is heartbreaking,” Lasseigne said, his voice shaking. “I volunteer all my time and they come and tear it all up. We were doing so well.”

Lasseigne found bleachers overturned and signs ripped down from trees and an auxiliary shed. Trash cans littered the yard, and part of a skate ramp was torn apart and thrown over the fence.

Someone apparently had used an orange traffic cone in attempting to break into the shed.

Lasseigne said this is not the first time the skate park has been targeted during his three  years of volunteering.

About two years ago, he said, the shed was broken into and several items were stolen.

Since then, padlocks have been installed to improve security.

“I’m glad they didn’t get into (the shed) this time,” Lasseigne said. “They could have had a field day with that.”

Lasseigne said he will pay a cash reward to someone with information leading to a conviction in the vandalism.

Copyright © 2009 The Daily Iberian

Comments

    mario wrote on Dec 7, 2008 11:58 AM:

    " You know itis not always about being negative or even jealous I think if you analyze the situation you would understand.It"s 40degrees outside would you wanna play outside in the freezingf cold at risk of going into shock if you break your arm or leg. But before you guys go thinking it was me from the conversation I'm 27years old I skate at the skatepark in Lafayette cause that one is big enough for the crowd that goes even CityPark attracts alot I left a comment a few days ago iit has been erased! Y "

    AC wrote on Dec 3, 2008 3:48 PM:

    " Some people watch too much CSI..... Fingerprinting is not this wonderful thing that can always be done. First off the surface needs to be somewhat smooth and it helps if it is reflective in some way. What exactly would the fingerprint there? The bleachers? Yea there won’t be THOUSANDS of fingerprints there. And another problem is, if these were kids messing around, odds are their fingerprints are not on record anyway. I personally agree with the IPSO on this one for not attempting to get fingerprints, it would have been a total waste of time. Stop believing CSI nonsense. "

    tlc wrote on Dec 1, 2008 3:11 PM:

    " The police can not be every where at every moment of every day! In what town or city is there no crime? Ackal can not be blamed for criminals, that is ridiculous! There are criminals all over the world, who is to blame for them? "

    Deborah C. White wrote on Dec 1, 2008 7:14 AM:

    " Why not spend money for repairs. As it is the youth do not have anything to do in this city. I feel for Tracey, a man that donates his time to offer the youth in this city a place to go. That was a pathetic act for anyone to commit. This world we live in today is so pityful.

    Les,
    Why would you not want it repaired? Don't get offended as I am just wondering your reason behind your comment. Is this place causing a problem for you as then I may understand. "

    Les wrote on Nov 27, 2008 5:21 AM:

    " Lets not spend any more money on this sort of thing. I say close the skate park down. If they find out who it is, the persons responsable for the damage will probably get off easy. You know how juvies are. "

    NL wrote on Nov 26, 2008 10:11 PM:

    " Not so long ago someone wrote to the DI stating that children in this parish have nothing to do. This is one of the reasons people don't want to invest money in public areas in NI. The good have to suffer for the bad, sad but true. "

    erathdog wrote on Nov 26, 2008 9:36 PM:

    " Real cops would take fingerprints.
    No one takes prints anymore unless theres a murder. "

    Felton Carmouche wrote on Nov 26, 2008 4:45 PM:

    " So much for "all the criminals being scared of Ackal"! What happened to all these enhanced patrols he promised that would improve these issues? Welcome to reality guys, you can only deal with crime, seldom stop it. "

    Mr R wrote on Nov 26, 2008 3:19 PM:

    " This is down right sad, I bet its someone jelious because they dont have this at west end park.

    Someone should knock the doors of all of those houses around the park asking if anyone seen anything.

    Maybe the IPSO should patrol more around this area.

    And the rec dept should put a German Shepherd in the fence during off hours, I bet that will stop them next time! "

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