*COMSTOCK TOWNSHIP, MI* — The Eastwood Little League complex in Comstock Township is cleaning up after a wave of vandalism that left extensive damage across the grounds, and the community is rallying to help restore the beloved facility.
Vandals struck the complex over the weekend, causing damage that league president Matt Schreiner described as "super disheartening" and "really frustrating." Two of the league's three flagpoles were removed from the ground and placed on the roof of a nearby building. A sign was ripped from a wall and shoved into the gutters, while vandals climbed onto a dugout and kicked a hole through its roof.
The damage also included a security camera, gutters, and several picnic tables. An electrical meter was struck with a brick. Four of the six picnic tables were destroyed, and one was carved with a swastika. Graffiti was found throughout the complex, including racial and homophobic slurs.
Some of the damage occurred on a field that has been closed for six years. Schreiner said the league had recently begun renovating that field in hopes of bringing it back into use.
"This isn't just a ball field," Schreiner said. "I can't tell you how many hours we've spent up here trying to give back to the community."
Schreiner said the latest incident is part of a pattern. He said the complex has been vandalized three or four times in the last four years, including separate incidents in March of this year and March of last year.
Community steps in
The community has already begun helping with the cleanup. Dan Templin, owner of Blue Wheel Pressure Washing, said he saw a post about the vandalism and offered to help remove the graffiti.
"It just is very sad to see that to a community, a community program or, you know, a community asset like the league," Templin said.
Templin said his company uses commercial-grade graffiti removers and different cleaning methods depending on the surface. "The majority of the time it comes right off," he said.
A nearby resident who works for Consumers Energy also helped, repairing the electrical meter after it was damaged.
Schreiner said he has filed a police report with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office and is working to get repair estimates to document the financial damage. The Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident.
A tight budget, a hope for more security
Schreiner said the league plans to add more security cameras as it works to prevent future vandalism.
"We don't have them built into the budget," he said. "We run on tight budgets. There's not a whole lot of money. There's not a whole lot of wiggle room."
The league said community members and local businesses have also offered donations and help with repairs, and the group is working to get the complex back in shape for young players.