Vandals damage fields outside middle school
BY MARLENE CANTY
Staff Writer

OLD BRIDGE - Vandals with a four-wheel-drive vehicle have been plowing up the athletic fields at Salk Middle School over the past two weekends, prompting police to beef up patrols of the area.

"This is pointless and despicable conduct that robs students and athletes of the use of the fields, and costs taxpayers countless dollars," said Police Lt. Robert Weiss, stressing that if the vandals are caught, they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The activity, which amounts to criminal mischief, was reported by the school's custodian. It involved the destruction of the main soccer field and a smaller practice soccer field at the school, located on West Greystone Road.

The fields were damaged by vandals performing "doughnuts," or circular skid maneuvers with the vehicle.

"Doughnuts can create burn and skid marks on solid concrete, so you can imagine what they would do to the grassy turf of an athletic field," Weiss said.

Authorities have not yet estimated the cost of the damages and so far have no suspects in their investigation.

Until season's end in November, the Salk Road Runners, the school's resident soccer team, will now have its home games at Veterans Park on Englishtown Road.

Though it is a setback, Dale Gregorin, the school district's athletic director, feels the destroyed fields will not destroy the winning spirit of his kids.

"It's unfortunate and I feel bad for the kids, but at the same time they are having a good season. I believe they will rise above this," Gregorin said.

Last month, soccer and baseball fields at Bishop Ahr High School in Edison were damaged to the tune of $3,000 after someone drove an all-terrain vehicle across the fields.

And in East Brunswick last week, four township teens were arrested and charged with criminal mischief in two separate incidents that involved vandalism to soccer fields at the Middlsex County Fairgrounds, off Cranbury Road.

Old Bridge police plan to keep increased patrols around Salk School and other area fields as a possible deterrent.