That question is being investigated by Coatesville officials
Updated at 6:50 p.m. with police comment
By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times
City officials are seeking information about whoever stole the slides and ramp from this playground assembly behind the Gordon Elementary Center.
A Scrooge has thwarted the efforts of a group of Good Samaritans to rescue some unused playground equipment destined for use by Coatesville children, city officials said Wednesday.
A plan to relocate about $15,000 worth of unused equipment behind the Gordon Education Center hit an impasse on Tuesday when volunteer crews arrived to begin dismantling the setup and found that the slides and ramp had disappeared, said Marie Hess, who heads the city’s Park and Recreation Commission.
It was Hess who had issued a plea on social media for assistance in moving the equipment, which the school district had given to the city about three years ago. The request had some urgency because the building is now being used by Lincoln University for college classes. Not only was the equipment in the way, but it was also in danger of being torn down, Hess said.
Hess said three companies – Keares Electric, The Coatesville Solar Initiative, and Mid-Atlantic Forestry Equipment – and an area nonprofit, David’s Drive 831, had offered to relocate the assembly across the street to Ash Park, where it would be well-used.
“Whoever knows of anything having to do with the slides or ramp, please let someone know, or just return it,” said Hess, adding that police had been contacted. “You are not hurting anyone but the kids.”
Police Sgt. Steven Smith agreed. He said it was sad and disheartening to think that someone would steal from children. “We’re going to do whatever we can to catch whoever did this,” he said.
Interesting that every time someone does not want to face the truth about their own race or look at themselves in the mirror and acknowledge their own problems, they try to blame some one else and call them a racist. Every word that I have ever posted about Coatesville is true! Only when the city’s population stops playing the role of victim, and realizes that it’s residents are it’s own worst problem will there be any change to move forward. Until then make sure your doors and windows are locked and continue to blame your problems on “the racist fraction” that keeps you down1 What a cop out and a pity….
no racist was correct you prove it with every word you write
I’m not sure if it is because of your poor grammar or not but I believe the word you should use is realist. I do live in a community that is very close to Coatesville and have to sporadicly travel thru Coatesville. Last year I actually travelled thru Coatesville the same day I had been in the Bronx section of NY, and was more concerned about my and my families safety in Coatesville than I was in the Bronx! And by the way I have a 17 year old son who has been on the distinguished honor roll in the Coatesville School District for the last 6 years. He is also a leader in many of the academic and social clubs and teams at school, in addition to being a youth leader at our church. All of this did not come by accident. It has taken a lot of parenting and support to keep him away from the bad elements and temptations he encounters every day. Also we make sure he is not out at 1AM walking the streets of the city with a gun and a poor value system that will lead him to trouble with the law. I am not referring to you directly and hope that indeed you are one of the good people who are trying against strong odds to make things better! Unfortunately when you read this paper you can’t help but notice that a large number of people walking and driving on the streets of Coatesville, when spotted or stopped by the police have open warrants for their arrest. Good luck, and once all of these people stop doing things that get them arrested maybe the opinion of those of us outside the city can change!
Surprised somebody is not stealing your gate!
Unfortunately Coatesville has turned into the kind of place where there are people who steal playground equipment before it can be relocated for the children to use. Pretty sad that when they post on social media that they needed help in relocating it someone said to themselves, “I’m gonna steal me some play ground equipment”. Obviously one person couldn’t do this by themselves. As long as you have the kind of people who will put the effort in to dismantle and steal stuff before good people can relocate it for the kids things will never change. And by the way I know about the CYI from personally being involved with them, and yes I know they can’t work with all of the kids in Coatesville. That’s why it’s important for the parents and Grandmothers to set a good example and actually be involved in there kid’s life’s! Keep them off the streets late at night, and be good roll models, instead of saying, “he was a good boy, or he was turning his life around” after they are sent to prison or worse! And no I won’t be parking on the streets at night in Coatesville. That would be like painting a big target on my back for you and your neighbors to come and rob me or at least break into my car and take everything of value. Change the attitude and lawlessness of the residents of the city and then maybe the attitudes of the people outside the city will change.
Go away you are a racist individual can tell by your comment. There are bad people in the city but the good far out weights the bad ones maybe you should leave your perfect(you think) community and see what you are missing
If the parts that are missing are made of metal check with the local scrap yard. Someone probably took it for scrap value. it’s getting bad, people will come into your yard even with a closed gate at night and remove things made of metal.