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Crime & Safety

Camera May Have Footage Of Vandalism

The Johnston Police Department issued its report on the weekend incident where vandals apparently drove a vehicle onto fields at the soccer complex and behind Johnston High School.

are still seeking leads in the weekend vandalism of local soccer and practice fields, where vandals apparently drove a vehicle onto the grass and caused major damage to the turf.

Parks and recreation department staffers were expected to review footage from the surveillance camera at the soccer complex to see if the incident was caught on video. The camera is mounted just under the eaves of the complex concession stand, and may have a clear view of the paved path where vandals are suspected of driving up to the complex.

According to a police report released yesterday, officers received a call at about 2:20 p.m. on March 3. Ptlm. Philip Viens responded to 1741 Atwood Ave., the town's soccer complex, and spoke with Matthew Lafazia of the parks and recreation department. Lafazia told Viens the incident apparently occurred between 4 p.m. on March 2, when the field was last used, and 2 p.m. on March 3.

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Vandals apparently drove a vehicle onto the soccer field and left deep tire marks in the turf, destroying a portion of the field. Viens reported that a vehicle or an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) could have been used to cause the damage.

"The main gate [of the soccer complex] was locked during the time of the incident, however it appears the vehicle utilized to damage the field may have gained access to the complex from behind the high school on the walking path,” Viens wrote.

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During a tour of the damaged fields on Monday, Mayor Joseph Polisena said he believed the culprits drove between metal poles at the foot of the paved walking path to the soccer complex to get to the soccer field.

Polisena also explained that he's considering a donation of more cameras for the soccer complex, especially since the town plans to build more facilities to host sports, including lacrosse.

The gate to another damaged area, the practice field behind the high school, was apparently left unlocked; the vandals apparently tipped over a Port-A-John there, and also drove over a grassy area near the high school parking lot.

Anyone with information on the vandalism incident is asked to call Det. Thomas Dwyer at the Johnston Police Department: (401) 231-4210.

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