Anti-police message painted on Tiffin playground equipment, trash left throughout parks

Vandals painted an anti-police message on playground equipment at one local park and left trash throughout others, Tiffin Parks and Recreation said Thursday.

The acronym “ACAB,” which stands for “all cops are bastards,” was painted on playground equipment at Josiah Hedges Park. Other parts of the equipment were also vandalized, the Parks and Recreation department said.

Additionally, garbage was left around sports complexes at Hedges-Boyer Park and areas of other parks throughout the city.

“Tennis and pickleball courts are open for use at Hedges-Boyer Park. Volleyball nets were also installed at Hedges-Boyer Park last Wednesday, but due to the overwhelming amount of garbage left on and around the courts, each day, we have decided to remove the nets until June 25th,” the department announced in a Facebook post.

“We have also noticed increase amounts of garbage throughout our other parks, as well as vandalism at Josiah Hedges Park. Here at Tiffin Parks and Rec. our goal is to get as much use out of our parks as possible. However, with limited staff, we are unable to pick up trash each morning before mowing,” the department continued.

All basketball hoops have been put back up at Riverview Park, Apple-Jack Park, Oakley Park, Beechwood Park, and two hoops are back up at Hedges-Boyer Park.

Tiffin Parks and Recreation staff said they decided that only installing two hoops at Hedges-Boyer would assist the public in maintaining social distancing amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

“We understand that there are limited amounts of trash receptacles, but we ask that you please find one near you or carry out what you carry in,” the department stated. “We are doing our very best to keep up with all of our parks, but we ask for your respect, and cooperation to keep the parks clean for others to enjoy.”