By Stephanie Mariel Petrellese

The Garden City Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Robert Feirsen expressed concern at the recent increase in vandalism at Stratford Avenue School and discussed ways to help mitigate-or hopefully eliminate-the problem.

"I encourage people to report things when they happen...," Dr. Feirsen said at the Sept. 16th school board meeting. "We would encourage the community to help us and control the vandalism."

Dr. Feirsen said there have been several incidents over the past few weeks at the Stratford playground area on the Kildare Road side. The latest act of vandalism occurred either late in the evening on Sept. 11 or early in the morning on Sept. 12. Vandals deeply carved into the slide and other equipment, causing damage estimated to total several thousand dollars.

In another incident, a large window at Stratford was cracked by vandals and had to be replaced. Albert Chase, assistant superintendent for business and finance, has estimated the damage over the past few weeks will total approximately $11,000.

The school district is working closely with the Garden City Police Department and has extended the hours the district's own security staff is on patrol to enable better coverage in the early morning hours and on weekends. Dr. Feirsen said the police department issued four trespass tickets at the playground the night after the most recent vandalism incident.

Dr. Feirsen and Chase are currently studying the area and have suggested the possibility of removing some shrubbery, which they claim obstructs the view from Kildare Road.

"I think that's part of the reason that it's a hangout, because you really can't see it when you're on Kildare, so perhaps if we clean up the sightlines it might be better," Dr. Feirsen said.

School Board President Colleen Foley said the issue has come up several times during the years before she served on the school board, as well as during the seven years she has been on the board. She says she understands that residents want a green area, so the trees will remain. Only the underlying shrubbery may be affected.

"I'm a bit of an advocate of having that clear line of vision," she said. Foley has talked with Mayor Peter Bee, who said he would also speak with the police department. She has also had discussions with the two trustees who represent the Estates section, Robert Rothschild and John Mauk, as well as Brian Daughney, president of the Estates Property Owners' Association. Foley is looking at ways to improve the lighting in the area so the playground will be well-lit but homeowners will not be negatively affected.

School board trustee Barbara Trapasso asked if the district has considered installing security cameras. Dr. Feirsen responded that it has been studied in the past and was not implemented due to the cost. However, he recognized that the technology has improved and the cost has come down, so the issue should be looked at again.