The Patterson Park pool reopened to the public on Sunday after a recent incident of vandalism that occurred on Saturday, marking the fifth such occurrence at a city-owned pool this summer.
According to Erin Smith, a spokesperson for the city's recreation and parks department, the pool sustained significant damage beyond mere aesthetics. Multiple drain grates were removed and thrown into the pool, leading to contamination with feces.
Smith stated, "Our team followed established health and safety protocols, including removing debris, thoroughly cleaning the pool, and completing the necessary water treatment procedures before reopening. The safety of our visitors is our top priority, and we appreciate the community's patience as our staff worked to restore the pool to safe operating conditions."
The city opened its pools for the summer season on May 23, and since then, there have been five incidents of vandalism reported at various pools, including two separate acts at Patterson Park within a single week in early June.
One concerning trend is pool hopping, where individuals trespass to swim after hours. This practice poses safety risks, as highlighted by a previous incident last summer where a man nearly drowned in a closed neighborhood pool, necessitating a swift response from the Baltimore Police Department's helicopter unit.
City officials have installed surveillance cameras at the pools and posted signs to deter trespassing. However, these measures have not significantly reduced the occurrences of pool hopping.
Reported by HarborBeat based on The Baltimore Banner (source).
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