HOMESTEAD, Pa. — Tire tracks from a dirt bike or an e-bike can be seen throughout the baseball field at the West Homestead Community Park.
West Homestead Police said sometime over the weekend, someone, or possibly several people, vandalized it.
“The sign says no, it means no,” said Vicky Hartman, who was walking at the park Tuesday morning.
The park doesn’t allow any motorized vehicles, but Hartman and others who walk at the park told Channel 11 that many kids have been riding their e-bikes at the park for a while.
“For one thing, there is a sign that says absolutely not,” Hartman said. “We walked when there was a playground instructor there, and they were coming like crazy here, and nobody said anything. We have to always zigzag when we’re walking, and that’s not right.”
Other people walking at the park Tuesday said they’re glad police are on top of this.
Even though they might not want to see the kids get in serious trouble, they want to make sure the park stays safe and in good shape for everyone to enjoy.
“I like that they’re on top of it and taking care of the residents and watching out for our field,” one neighbor said.
Vandalism from e-bikes is a problem in communities across our area.
One woman from West Homestead told Channel 11 she thinks police are doing the best they can.
“The police do a pretty good job policing down here; I do feel comfortable walking down here,” she said.
But Hartman said they need to try to get parents more involved.
“Go to the parents, that’s the first [thing],” Hartman said. “They need to be safe, and they have to have their parents on board with that.”
Police said if the misuse of e-bikes or dirt bikes continues in the park, they might have to lock the park again, which is something they don’t want to do.
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