Razor Blades Turn Up at O.C. Parks

Neon-green warning signs were posted on tree trunks and in play areas at two Costa Mesa parks Thursday after nannies and parents found razor blades on slides and in sand boxes, and pornographic magazines in bushes and restrooms, officials said.

“We’ve stepped up inspection of those areas,” said Bruce Hartley, the city’s maintenance services manager. “Traditionally, you find the normal litter at parks but nothing malicious like this.”

The fliers urge visitors to Heller Park at 16th Street and Westminster Avenue, and Pinkley Park on Ogle Street to inspect equipment before allowing children to use it.

Police received one report Tuesday of razor blades found at Heller Park, where two incidents had been reported in late March. Less than a mile away at Pinkley Park, a parent reported finding razor blades Monday.

No one has been injured, Costa Mesa Police Lt. Dale Birney said. He would not reveal how many of the single-edge razors have been found but said, “Based on our investigation, we have come to the conclusion that someone is purposefully placing them.”

“We’re worried,” said Raquel Mancillas, 52, whose family has lived across the street from Pinkley Park for 25 years. “You never know what you can catch from razors.”

Several days ago, her husband found a razor edge pointing out of a tube slide at the park, she said, and adult magazines underneath some bushes. He threw them away, she said.

Now her 11-year-old grandson, Pedro Mancillas, may skateboard in the park driveway but is prohibited now from digging in the sand.

“It bums me out,” the boy said. “I can’t go anywhere, and I’m afraid I’m going to get cut.”

Resident Greg Mohr said both of his children were at Pinkley Park on Monday when their nanny, Wendy DePinto, discovered a razor blade lying flat on the top of the slide that the woman and 11-month-old Isabella Mohr were about to use. Two more blades were found on two other slides, he said.

Mohr said his children had been frequent visitors to both Costa Mesa parks, but not anymore.

“It just seems everything, everywhere is a time and place to worry,” he said.