Police probe vandalism of special-needs playground

Police are searching for a vandal who poured oil over the equipment of a special-needs playground in Absecon, N.J.

The incident was reported around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in the playground area of the South Jersey Field of Dreams, an organization that maintains recreational facilities for children with physical and cognitive disabilities, police said.

Caretakers told investigators that, within the past 48 hours, someone had poured canola oil over the playground equipment, causing the metal and plastic surfaces to become slippery and unable to be used.

Police recovered an empty bottle believed to have been used to damage the property.

The playground was closed off pending the response of a professional cleaning company, which began work Wednesday morning.

Police are reviewing video footage from nearby surveillance cameras, and Field of Dreams staffers are actively cooperating with the investigation, the organization said in a statement.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Absecon Police Department at 609-641-0667.