Juveniles cited for vandalism at Dac Rowe Park
December 12, 2023 | By Lisa ScagliottiVermont State Police credit numerous reports from the public that helped them track down four juveniles they say were responsible for vandalism at the Dac Rowe Park playing fields in the early morning hours Monday.
Nighttime shadows fill the deep grooves left by vehicles at the Dac Rowe Park playing fields. Photo by Gordon Miller
Trooper Ryan Riegler said four juveniles from Waitsfield and Waterbury have been cited to appear in Washington Superior Court-Family Division in January on charges of vandalism and gross negligent operations.
Vehicle tracks are visible in multiple spots in the park. Photo by Gordon Miller
The teens used two Subarus, Riegler said, to cause “extensive damage to the fields.”
Police received the reports Monday morning, Riegler said, that included descriptions and a photo that captured a license plate. Authorities do not release the identities of minors. Riegler did not share additional details.
Waterbury Municipal Manager Tom Leitz said the damage occurred on the back side of the park near the Winooski Street entrance. Deep tracks are visible on the field surface although they are now covered in snow.
Riegler said the damage took place overnight Sunday and in the early morning hours Monday. The field was very wet on Sunday after rain all day and into the evening that changed over to snow after midnight.
Public Works Director Bill Woodruff said it appeared vehicles entered through the gate at the Winooski Street entrance to the park but the gate was closed the next morning. He said park staff will need to assess the damage after the snow melts in order to make an accurate estimate of what repairs will involve.
In his report, Riegler thanked the community members who assisted the investigation. “The Vermont State Police would like to thank the residents of Waterbury in providing key information in identifying those responsible for causing damage to the Dascomb P. Rowe Athletic Fields,” he wrote.
Snow covers Dac Rowe Park on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 12. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti
So far, police have identified four individuals. If anyone has additional information, they should contact the Berlin state police barracks at 802-229-9191. Tips also may be submitted via text or an online form. Details are online at vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
The juveniles are scheduled for a hearing in Family Court on Jan. 18, according to police.
This is a second incident of such vandalism in the community this year. In January, then-Principal Tom Drake at Crossett Brook Middle School reported that security cameras at the school captured footage of a light gray Subaru “doing donuts” on the soccer field adjacent to the school’s driveway along Vermont Route 100 in Duxbury. No one was identified as being responsible for that incident and damage.