Vandalism plagues private communities

DINGMAN n Vandals over the summer damaged and or removed the front entrance signs at five Lake Communities on Log Tavern Rd. and on Rte. 739. The last of the repairs from damage done in July is being completed at Gold Key Lake. On the evening of July 2 after midnight and before the break of dawn vandals, using a pick up truck and hand tools, damaged and removed the signs from 5 communities: Hemlock Farms, Sunrise Lakes, Gold Key Lake, Indian Trails and Crescent Lake. They targeted communities along Rte. 739 and Log Tavern Rd. Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Wayne Snyder handled the complaint. State police received a call from a resident of Pocono Mountain Water Forest that there were large signs on their lawn which were left there during the night. Troopers called the Gold Key Security Department and informed them that their sign was missing and on a lawn in the Water Forest Subdivision. Bob Gregoire, Security Officer, of Gold Key Lake retrieved the damaged and broken Gold Key Lake sign and also returned other signs to a few of the communities. He could not return all of them as at least one of them was too large to be handled by one person. The sign at Gold Key Lake that was damaged and removed was one of two that were recently installed to beautify the entrance. The two signs at Gold Key Lake were custom made and installed at a cost of over $7000. A portion of Gold Key’s replacement cost was borne by their insurance company. A new identical, custom made,sign was re-installed by some community volunteers on Oct. 10. Ira Merbaum, Director of Maintenance, at Gold Key Lake said, “I hope that the measures we have taken now will prevent any further damage from taking place.” Mr. Merbaum also stated, “We have covered the sign with Lexan, the same material banks use to prevent tellers from being hurt by would be hold up people. Also installed are bright flood lights and security cameras to be our eyes on our signs.” Another problem has been a rash of broken car windows, apparently shot out by an air rifle at both Gold Key Lake and Sunrise Lake, which are adjoining communities. State police have are continuing to investigate and have been supplementing the private security in patrols in these private communities.