Tag Archives: vandalism

Pool Trespassing and Vandalism

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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

It’s 2:00am …Do You Know Where Your Kids Are?

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We’ve made it to June, which means the pools have opened, the days are getting longer, and school is finally letting out. The dog days of summer stretch out ahead of us with all of the wonderful outdoor activities available for you to enjoy. I love summer for the hiking and biking; bbq’s and pool parties, tan lines and concerts. Unfortunately during summer break we see a huge increase in all types of vandalism throughout the community. We notice spikes in vandalism every time there is a break from school (winter, spring, and summer), but we get hit the hardest during the summer since the weather is conducive to being outside even late at night and not all kids have a set routine with early morning alarms and homework to keep them occupied. We see everything from spray painting on overpasses, streets, sidewalks, tunnels, and tot lots, to the breaking of light fixtures in the tunnels and tennis courts, setting fi re to things, knocking over light poles on the walking trails, breaking into the pools and throwing the deck furniture into the deep end, putting firecrackers into and smashing mailboxes, tipping over or stealing portable restrooms, stealing fi re extinguishers from Broadlands Live tents, and breaking into the stone house to drink and do drugs. We’ve even had instances of people breaking into the pools overnight and defecating in them, which is not only repulsive for those having to clean up the mess, but disrupts the on time opening of the pools to the rest of the residents and early morning swim practices. These acts of vandalism costs the association in valuable resources, from staff time contacting the sheriff’s department and fi ling police reports to paying contractors to clean up the mess. These efforts take resources away from other association funded activities and improvements. Nobody wants to take their young child to a tot lot for a play outing, only to find the slide covered in phallic symbols. The association has and will continue to press charges against those caught in the act, and will cooperate with the sheriff’s department in these cases. I have been subpoenaed as a witness for hate crimes that have taken place on association property. I have called parents who thought their children were safe at a sleepover but snuck out and have been caught trespassing in the middle of the night. I have taken calls from residents who have heard the teens yelping when jumping off the diving board into the chilly waters of the Southern Walk pool in September after the pools have been partially drained, which could easily lead to a broken neck or back. The association contracts with an independent security company to help patrol the community and they helped to catch at least three sets of vandals in 2014; however, they cannot be omnipresent. We rely on our residents to help keep an eye on our precious assets, and speak to and know the whereabouts of their kids. If we make ourselves aware of the issues affecting our surroundings, we can keep Broadlands a vibrant and safe community. To report suspicious activity, contact the Loudoun County non-emergency number at 703-777-1021.