Graffiti Tagging Closes Skate Park--Again

Disappointed young skaters were turned away from the skate park near the Red Morton Center Thursday so a crew could sandblast the gang sign off one of the ramps.

This is the third time this week, and the has been working closely with the Redwood City Police Department on some tactics to catch the repeat offender or offenders.

“We were tagged pretty bad, but it’s very unusual,” said Parks & Rec Director Chris Beth.

The process takes about four hours to completely remove the tagging, and in the meantime, children and adults alike cannot use the park for recreational use.

Residents expressed their frustration at the taggers and disappointment for the active skaters in the community.

“I'm around so many disappointed kids about the park being closed,” resident Trish Salazar told Patch. “The kids are so passionate about skating and to have it taken away by so called taggers is sad.”

Some juveniles reportedly hopped the gate to skate in the park, but were ticketed, Salazar added and confirmed by another anonymous neighbor.

The tagging has also been difficult coordinating with the summer camps that also take place in the park, said Parks & Rec Event Community Services Coordinator Jordana Freeman.

Beth said the tagging occurs in the early hours of the morning, so police have stepped up security on the premises. However, residents are encouraged to alert the police or use the anonymous tip line if they see any suspicious activity at any time of the day.

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