District studies ways to stop Knox vandals
By MICHAEL ANICH, The Leader-HeraldJOHNSTOWN - The Greater Johnstown School District is concerned about vandalism at the unlocked Knox Field, which has a new football field and track as part of capital projects done by the district.
The district is considering installing security cameras at the field.
"At some point, I guess we have to step up to the plate to make sure everyone is using the facility properly," Board of Education President Robert Curtis said Thursday night at Johnstown High School.
Knox Field off South Perry Street has a new synthetic field and new track as part of $12.5 million in capital projects done by the district at all six city schools. The district recently completed all its projects.
Late in Thursday's board meeting, Curtis said the unlocked Knox Field - only regulated by a sign that tells when the field is open from about 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. - needs to be policed better because of recent vandalism.
Curtis said there is a sign that prohibits bikers and skateboarders on the track, but some people are ignoring it.
The board president said the district and the public needs to work more closely with the city Police Department, including possibly having people 16 and older arrested for violating posted rules.
Curtis said the district "just spent a fortune" on capital projects, including at Knox Field.
"They're disrespecting our property," he said.
Board member Robert Kosowicz, chairman of the Academic-Extra-Curricular Committee, said it's also "dangerous" for some people walking by when youths are playing at the field.
Curtis said that situation includes elderly people and adults with small children walking while youths "race by" with bikes.
Curtis said he met with Superintendent Katherine A. Sullivan to discuss the possibility of placing extra staff at Knox Field during Friday night football games.
"We're not running a babysitting service on Friday nights," he said.
Curtis said the district wants everyone to enjoy the field, but may have to contact police Chief Gregory Horning and the district's attorneys to protect its capital project investment and keep the field safe for everyone.
"We need to do something to move forward," Curtis said. "We may be looking at security cameras ... It's a beautiful facility."
The board discussion then turned to other ways to keep school grounds clean and in shape.
Glebe Street Elementary School Principal William Crankshaw said people bring dogs onto his grounds, especially parents picking up their children after school.
"I would welcome a board policy," Crankshaw said. "It's not very safe."
Knox Junior High School Principal Steven Drescher said there has been some problems at his school with people throwing cigarettes on the grounds.
Curtis said this morning the district would look at arresting someone at Knox Field as an "extreme measure," but the district is increasingly concerned about vandalism. He said that includes vandalism at basketball and tennis courts.
He said he hopes the public will contact police if they see any acts of vandalism occurring at Knox Field at any time of the day.
Michael Anich covers Fulton County and Johnstown. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com.
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ReclaimGville
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09-19-08 10:19 PM
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Gee, after reading many posts on here you would think just Gloversville has these problems. "Good things those things don't happen in Johnstown" Welcome to the real world, you have the same disrespecting punks there as well. Ride by Boulevard School on the second ave entrance from after school until dark, there are maybe 30 kids hanging out there everyday, Mon - sun. Grafitti on the school, there was a broken window there, soda, gatorade bottles and water bottles strewn all over the place, guess what, not one arrest yet. Don't the parents wonder what their kids are doing from 3-8PM and where are they eating dinner, when are they getting their homework done????
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Discobulous
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09-19-08 8:17 PM
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Why not ask the local vandals to vandalize some old abandoned building the city wants to take down? Sounds like a win-win scenario.
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Guinta
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09-19-08 2:18 PM
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"They're disrespecting our property," he said. Hey! They're disrespecting MY property. I just paid some hefty school taxes for that football field after all, football is really WAY more important than math or reading.
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IKnooow
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09-19-08 1:37 PM
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Those of us that use the field and facility have occasionally spoken to kids about "racing" their bikes around and using profanity, etc. I don't think bikes should be outlawed though. It's a playground! I do think the gates should be closed and locked during its closed hours, and anyone inside during those hours arrested and charged. At other times, let people enjoy the park, and let those that use and respect it help police it and educate people that disrespect it. People's behavior needs to be educated, not legislated.
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Discobulous
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09-19-08 12:35 PM
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What kind of damage can anyone do to an athletic field? Sounds silly to me.
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LHReader
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09-19-08 12:14 PM
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I do understand that there are many disrepectful people, not just kids that are using this facility and causing damages. There should be an abundience of patrols watching over, especially with all the money that has been invested. Everyone (taxpayers) should be able to use the park , that means parents need to start watching their kids more closely to avoid any accidents/mishaps. There is enough room for everyone to enjoy if rules are obeyed.
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Stardust
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09-19-08 11:43 AM
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wow, eventually there will be separate parks for people who walk and those who ride bikes. You already can't bring a leashed dog into Knox, now kids riding bikes are endangering other people. In 20 years, each resident of johnstown will pay a rental fee for their own 5'x5' square of land that is fenced in. We can ride a bike, walk or have a dog in there, as well as limited contact with the elderly. That way, no one gets hurt, we all get some fresh air and no one will get sued.
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