Bikepath Garden Vandalism

[tiggrstaar.livejournal.com]

I'm a member of the bikepath community garden and lately we've been having some issues with vandalism. In fact some of you may have noticed the garden gate(which is always locked) was kicked in as of this morning. We have reported this to the police but I was wondering if anyone in the community may have witnessed anything or if anyone has suggestions. I really think the garden is a great part of davis but it's definitely frustrating that a few people are willfully destroying everyone's hard work.

Comments

[vonelftinhaus.livejournal.com]

Ask Rite-Aid if there camera's eye reaches there, I believe they have a security camera close to that area, ya never know hopefully

[turil.livejournal.com]

It's always a struggle to keep up with the reality of a messy world. The haves vs. the have nots...

[cn-i-crash-here.livejournal.com]

Bikepath zen garden!

[maelithil.livejournal.com]

The bastards and the not bastards...

[turil.livejournal.com]

Ultimately they are the same. The haves call the have-nots bastards, and the have-nots call the haves the bastards...

[maelithil.livejournal.com]

Not particularly. I am firm in my belief that those who vandalize are objectively the bastards in this situation.

[turil.livejournal.com]

So you're one of the haves, I see. While those who do the damage (if it was done intentionally, rather than by some oblivious and drunk Tufts student) very likely see the haves who claim that public space as their "own" property and try to lock people out of the "community" garden by putting a lock on it, as being the bastards who are stealing.

This is the objective view, as it's seeing things from both perspectives, rather than just the one.

[craigindaville.livejournal.com]

No, it's making up perspectives to justify vandalism and come off with a "holier than thou" arrogance.

[en-ki.livejournal.com]

The Somerville community gardens are open to anyone who will put up the effort to maintain one. They are not reserved for rich people; you put your name on the waiting list and wait your turn.

Smashing public property that someone else is taking care of is not a victory for the proletariat, it's just being a dick.

[arrowintwolakes.livejournal.com]

Finally a situation where the birds can claim dominance!

[doxasticpirate.livejournal.com]

You have no clue who did this or why. Even if you're right about their intentions, calling them "objectively" "non-bastards" because you're "seeing things from both perspectives" is crazy. I get their perspective; they respond to people planting gardens by vandalizing them; that's just BS.

[kpht.livejournal.com]

It's useless to argue or try to inject logic into conversations with turil, she has some serious mental issues. It's best just to ignore her until the day she finally does something that warrants banning.

[howlymcghee.livejournal.com]

As someone who has a plot in the garden, I don't think it is fair to call this a situation of "haves" and "have nots." The truth is that many many people who are not a part of the community garden also post on here frequently about their private property (yards, decks, backyards) being vandalized by people who steal their fruits and veggies. The simple fact of this has nothing to do with people who have entered the garden in search of food. The vandalism that was done to the garden last night/early this morning was purely malicious. The locks were originally put on the gate only after years of discussion, because we have never wanted it to be a private space. However, when it was a public space, non-gardeners were so disrespectful of the hard work and love that had been put into the plots, that we had no choice but to put up a fence and a lock to protect our gardens. The food that we grow in the gardens is no different from the food that you have in your own pantry at home. I am sure that not one of you leaves your doors and windows open so that anyone could come in and take that food? So why should the gardeners, who have spent months and months growing this food feel that we are being elitist by trying to protect our plots with a lock and a fence? More over, why should we not be just as outraged as any home owner who found their house burglarized or vandalized?

[veronique4.livejournal.com]

I can't believe how asinanine most of the comments are about this really unpleasant act of vandalism. I, and a few others in this bikepath garden neighborhood were awoken around 5 am yesterday by really loud, crazy singing. It was high-pitched sort of nursery rhyme singing. Very creepy. I never heard more than one person. The Somerville Police department does not appear to be patrolling the bike path anymore. That's a shame and probably due to the economy. Someone's going to get hurt up there.

[oakenguy.livejournal.com]

Please note that all the idiocy is coming from one source who, unfortunately, has garnered an internet-wide reputation for this sort of behavior.

I think it's really sad that Davis Square gardeners have to deal with thefts and vandalism every year, especially after all the time and effort and money and, often, real artistry that's put in. And I think I speak for 99.9% of the folks here when I say that.

[arrowintwolakes.livejournal.com]

Insanity of turil aside, I'm also a bit disheartened by the reduced amount of patrolling along the bike path. I'm a guy and not small, but I sometimes have to run pretty late at night if I want to get a run in due to work and I'd like to see a little more activity along there.

[veronique4.livejournal.com]

Yes, the bike path can be a bit scary after 10 or so. I'm going to see what I can do by calling 311. Somerville is very receptive to feedback.

[jac6787.livejournal.com]

Why the hell is it so sketchy at night? Just because police don't pay attention to the area? I have to walk that way often late at night and, yeah, I hate it.

[arrowintwolakes.livejournal.com]

I think maybe there's the fals sense of assurance in having a surfeit of residences lining both sides of the path. I don't think it's an acceptable excuse but I wouldn't be surprised if it were the one cited.