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Pool Trespassing and Vandalism

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by The Broadlands Community, May 24, 2024.

  1. The Broadlands Community

    The Broadlands Community Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Community pools are wonderful places where families and friends can gather to relax, cool off, and have fun during the hot summer months. However, it is important to remember that community pools are shared spaces that should be treated with respect. Unfortunately, we find that teenagers break into and vandalize community pools every summer, which can have serious consequences.

    We have video footage of four male teenagers and one female teenager trespassing and vandalizing one of the community pools last weekend. The event occurred between 2 and 3 am on Sunday, May 19th. The teens were observed on camera climbing the fence, swimming, attempting to vandalize the vending machines and refrigerator, and breaking into a storage shed where they took numerous items and threw them into the pool. They also threw pool furniture into the main and wading pools. As a responsible community, we have taken the necessary steps to address this incident by sharing the footage with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and the School Resource Officers (SROs). We are sharing one of the videos here and asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspects. It is important for us to work together to uphold the safety and security of our community spaces. By collaborating with the authorities and asking for help identifying the individuals, we aim to hold them accountable for their actions.

    Please take a moment to review the video and let us know if you can identify the subjects. Also please speak to your teens about the dangers and consequences of these kinds of activities. First and foremost, breaking into and vandalizing community pools is illegal – it is considered trespassing and vandalism, which are criminal offenses that can result in fines, community service, or even juvenile detention. By engaging in such activities, teens are not only breaking the law but also potentially putting themselves at risk of getting into serious trouble with the authorities.

    Moreover, vandalizing community pools can be costly to repair. The damage caused by breaking in, graffiti, broken equipment, and other acts of vandalism can add up to significant expenses for the community and pool management. These costs are ultimately borne by the community members, leading to higher assessments to cover the repairs. It can also make the pool a less safe and enjoyable place for everyone to use, as damaged facilities may pose safety hazards to swimmers.

    Additionally, swimming in a dark, closed pool with no lifeguards on duty is downright dangerous for several reasons. Firstly, in a dark pool, it can be challenging to see the pool’s boundaries, depth markers, or other swimmers. This lack of visibility can increase the risk of accidents, collisions, or even drowning, especially if the pool has sudden changes in depth or obstacles that are not easily visible in the darkness. Secondly, without a lifeguard on duty, there is no one present to supervise swimmers, provide assistance in case of an emergency, or perform a rescue if someone gets into trouble. In the event of an accident or a swimmer experiencing difficulties in the water, the absence of a lifeguard can lead to delayed response times and potentially tragic outcomes. Furthermore, swimming in a dark pool can also increase the likelihood of slips, trips, or falls around the pool area, as visibility is reduced, and hazards may not be easily noticeable without proper lighting and supervision.

    We appreciate your cooperation and support as we strive to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for everyone in our community. If you have any information that could assist in identifying the teens involved, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@Broadlandshoa.com or 703-729-9704. Let’s work together to keep our community pools clean, safe, and fun for all!

    Here are descriptions of the subjects in question:
    • Male with jeans, t-shirt, and white crocs
    • Male with red shirt, dark shorts, light shoes, and white socks
    • Male with blue shirt, grey sweatpants, white sneakers
    • Male with dark hoodie, dark shorts, white sneakers
    • Female, red t-shirt, #89 on the back, also wearing a bikini with black and white striped top and black bottoms, a green towel, and yellow Crocs
     
    alg and PDILLM like this.
  2. Excelsior

    Excelsior Broadlands emeritus

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    I was at the SW pool today and there are so many camera stations. Are there amy videos of the license plate of the vehicle? Otherwise, all of those cameras that are stationed around need to be re-focused.

    This video, aside from the person wearing the '89' on the back of the shirt don't give us too many clues.
     
    alg, PDILLM and SK8R like this.

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