COLORADO SPRINGS — There is a serial crime happening at Colorado Springs parks. It combines vandalism and theft.
"The shackle and often the chain, it's been removed at the very top of the swing set, so everything is gone," said Kurt Schroeder with Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services.
Someone is cutting down and stealing swings, then doing it again when they are replaced. Isolated vandalism and damage can happen occasionally at most public parks.
This series of crimes is out of the ordinary. It has happened at 10 Colorado Springs parks in the central part of the city.
"When you see these disappearing over and over again, which in some cases it's been four times at an individual park, it's really beginning to run into some dollars," said Schroeder. Replacing an infant swing costs more than $200.
Parks leaders want the public aware and watching out for their neighborhood park.
"It's gotten to the point where it's very difficult for us to justify going back time after time after time and replacing them," said Schroeder.
If this crime is not stopped, parks will eventually have to leave some parks without swings for kids. Anyone who sees suspicious activity is asked to call the Colorado Springs Police Department at (719) 444-7000.
