EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Police are investigating after someone believed to be riding an electric-powered motorbike vandalized a brand new futsal court at Kent Heights Park in East Providence.
East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva told 12 News the futsal court, which opened just months ago, was vandalized late last week.
The green paint on the court has been scuffed and is covered in black tire marks from the motorbike.
“It’s a shame that we have to deal with this now,” DaSilva said. “We just spent almost $2 million on these renovations. The paint on these courts is expensive … Now we’re going to have to spend possibly thousands of dollars to remove and repair the damage.”
DaSilva said an off-duty Department of Public Works employee spotted someone riding a motorbike doing burnouts and doughnuts on the court.
“The only purpose of doing that is to cause damage,” DaSilva said. “You’re purposefully damaging the property.”
The city has reported the vandalism to the East Providence Police Department, which confirmed to 12 News it is actively investigating.
DaSilva told 12 News this incident only adds to the number of complaints he’s received from residents about electric-powered bikes and scooters being used in public parks throughout the city.
He described the bicycles and scooters as being the equivalent of “electric-powered motorcycles.”
DaSilva said it appears teenagers and children are the ones who are riding these bicycles and scooters recklessly.
“They’re riding them against traffic laws and it’s dangerous,” DaSilva said.
DaSilva is now looking to ban high-powered electric bicycles from the city’s parks and sidewalks.
He’s teamed up with East Providence City Council Vice President Frank Rego to create and introduce new regulations for electric-powered bicycles and scooters.
“They’re a little different from your traditional bicycle,” Rego said. “It’s new, so there has to be some city ordinances to be able to go after them. We just need to have laws in place.”
DaSilva will also seek guidance from the East Providence Police Department for these new regulations, since it the city’s officers will be the ones enforcing them.
The investigation into the vandalism at Kent Heights Park is ongoing and no arrests have been made.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the East Providence Police Department at (401) 435-7600.
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