Renovated children's park at Vasco turns into lovers' point

VASCO
The swings and slides at the recently renovated municipal children's park at Vasco have unexpectedly turned into a rendezvous for couples to swing and slide into romantic moments.
The presence of several couples parking themselves at the municipal children's park in compromising positions and in broad daylight has not only embarrassed parents who take their children to use the playthings during the holidays, it has also annoyed locals in the port town who believed that the premises are being misused for wrong purposes.
And now, some angry locals have threatened to tackle the situation in their own way.
Some locals told The Goan that while the park is being used by couples coming together during the day, it is the turn of the stray cattle to converge at the park and feast on the greenery after dusk.
An absence of security and regulations at the park has led to the misuse of the park, claim many unhappy residents.
"We come with our children and it is certainly awkward to see all such unwanted incidents. This can create a negative impact on our children and we fear that some pervert witnessing other couples could molest an innocent child left unattended,"
said a concerned parent near the park.
"If couples are brazen enough to cuddle during daytime, we dread to imagine the situation in darkness. The Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) should put an end to this menace," the parent continued. Added another local and Murgao Hindu Samaj Vice-President Sailesh Govekar: "We can't always blame the police. We should alert local authorities. Many times, youth are found smoking and some college couples seen in a compromised position. This causes a lot of embarrassment to parents accompanying their children."
"From now on, we will start patrolling and hand over all such miscreants to the police," warned Govekar.
Incidentally, Zuari Agro Chemicals Ltd (ZACL), which is maintaining the garden under its CSR initiative, had recently repaired the play equipment worth lakhs of rupees, following complaints. The ZACL staff had also informed the MMC about the misuse of the children's park.
"We have just formally completed the task of fitting new equipment and also informed the chief officer about the misuse by adults. Such incidents can be resolved only if security is present and gates are locked after evening hours," said ZACL PRO Anand Rajadyaksha.
When contacted, Vasco Police Inspector Nolasco Raposo assured to intensify police patrolling and prevent unwanted incidents in the garden, which could have a negative impact on small children.

I've written to the police to increase patrolling: Chief Officer

VASCO: Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes has warned of action against couples found in compromising positions in the children's park, adding that steps have been immediately taken to make the garden safe and secure for children.
"Couples misusing the municipal garden can have an adverse effect on children and I strongly condemn such incidents. We will take action against them." "The garden is undergoing renovation and is certainly not meant for such activities. It is meant for children and I will not tolerate such activities," said Fernandes.
Asked what steps he planned to initiate, Fernandes replied: "I have already written to the police inspector of Vasco to immediately increase patrolling at the park. I have also shifted MMC security in the garden to man the gates 24x7. I have instructed supervisor of the MMC garden to lock the gate after dusk."
"I would also appeal to people not to misuse the garden," Fernandes added.