Three fires were started with an accelerant on a playground in Los Gatos, Calif. After the second incident, video cameras were installed and four juveniles, what we used to simply call JDs, were caught in the act on camera. A $5,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the vandals.

A Space Net Climber in Friendship Park, Des Plaines, Ill. was destroyed and will cost about $12,500 to replace. The playground equipment was installed as part of a redesign and rededication of the area in 2007.

In Shelby, N.C. vandalism, parental concerns about safety and thousands of dollars spent to repair playground equipment have prompted the decision to remove the playground equipment in the Housing Authority area.

Two youths in Bonita Spring, Fla. trashed a school, causing $100,000 in damages.

A slide and jungle gym equipment at a Lake Wylie, S.C. playground were set afire over the weekend. The fire caused around $1,500 in damages.

The playground at Se????????(R)?n Browne Court in Enniscorthy, Ireland was attacked with hacksaws and burnt by intruders. If the vandalism continues, the playground will be shut down.

You get the idea. Vandalism of playgrounds is rampant.

Solutions
Video cameras, of course, are one way to go to protect playgrounds. We note other options presented at the National Recreation Park Association (NRPA) annual conference, Oct. 13-16 in Salt Lake City.

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At NRPA, Miracle launched its new MiracleTech product line. This new security product line, patent pending, features:

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• SonicScreen?EUR??,,????'?????<