Arson at Riverside Park

Dear Community,



On February 11, 2005 at approximately 2:00 the Riverside Park Playground was set on
fire and has been significantly damaged. The police say it is difficult to prosecute
for arson unless they come up with an eye witness. The Major, Dept. Major and Sgt.
Proctor have already been notified.



The playground is more than just plastic and steel, it’s a place where children play
and memories are made. It’s a magnet of youth and vitality. Maybe I am being a bit
melodramatic, but nothing is lower and more despicable than hurting our children
either directly or indirectly which is what this person did by ruining our
playground.



Who ever did this is going to brag about it to someone. Be it a classmate if they
are in school, a buddy, a bartender, a family member so on and so forth. If you
hear ANYTHING at all you have a civil duty to call the police. If you want to be
anonymous, use your crime watch number. If you actually saw the crime being
committed, then we need you to step forward and do the right thing. I am beside
myself with anger right now hearing the message that this cretin has said to each
and every one of you good, honest, law abiding people. This needs to stop. It was
not done out of need such as stealing money or goods to support a drug habit for
example, but rather out of hate and spite. Hate and spite don’t belong here.



Please spread the word to neighborhood leaders, parents, teachers, business owners
and children. We need to find this person and send a message to the people who want
to hurt us that we are no longer going to stand for this behavior.



If you needed a reason to attending tonight’s crime walk, its starts of all places
at Riverside Park. Come out in force to show everyone that we are not going to take
this standing down. 7:00 PM. This is why we do this.



Jeff Ratnow

President

Riverside Action Group