Caltrops found on Lapeer County playground woodchips for second time this month

Lapeer police are investigating

LAPEER COUNTY, Mich. – Police are investigating in Lapeer County after sharp objects were found placed at a public playground.

This is the second time it’s happened this month, according to information put out by the city.

“Yesterday, for the second time in less than two weeks, a citizen reported that several sharp man-made metal objects were found in the woodchips of the playground at Cramton Park,” a news release on behalf of the city stated.

According to the city, the objects can be best described as ‘caltrops’.

The objects were found in the woodchips at the landing area of the slides.

“My littlest one wanted to go on the slide, and I looked down to make sure there was nothing there,” parent Danielle Butler said.

The city is asking parents to be extra vigilant and keep an eye out for these objects and any suspicious activity.

“It’s obvious that whoever is doing this is trying to intentionally harm innocent people,” Local 4 Crime and Safety Expert Darnell Blackburn said. “With that being said, parents should be hypervigilant and searching again areas under slides, play areas, and woodchips.”

City officials said the parks are being checked every morning, and police are investigating.

“For the most part, I’m OK coming here, but if it happens again, I probably will be a little more hesitant,” parent Lyndzei Blankenburg said.

Anyone with information about someone being in possession of these objects or with information about what’s been going on is asked to call Lapeer police.


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Jacqueline Francis is an award-winning journalist who joined the WDIV team in September 2022. Prior to Local 4, she reported for the NBC affiliate in West Michigan. When she’s not on the job, Jacqueline enjoys taking advantage of all the wonders Michigan has to offer, from ski trips up north to beach days with her dog, Ace.