Officer Mark knelt down in the cold slush near the base of the pole.
He pulled out a small tactical flashlight and examined the metal access door.
The heavy iron door had been forced open with a heavy pry bar.
Copper grounding wires had been stripped and cut away by an unknown person.
Officer Mark: This was not an accident caused by the winter snow storm.
The utility supervisor stepped closer and looked at the damaged wire harness.
Utility Worker: Someone was stealing copper from the park lighting system last night.
Civilian Man: You mean someone deliberately left a live wire out for children?
Officer Mark: They stripped the metal and left the active circuit completely exposed.
Sarah held Lily closer to her chest as horror washed over her face again.
Sarah: That means this danger was placed here on purpose by criminals!
Officer Mark stood up and turned to the gathering crowd of local residents.
Officer Mark: We need to secure this entire area right away for investigation.
He called for additional police units to perimeter the central park grounds.
Titan stood at full attention beside his handler, sniffling the cold air.
The dog raised his head and let out a sharp, decisive bark toward the woods.
Officer Mark: What is it Titan? Did you catch a scent?
Titan pulled firmly on his leash, pointing his nose toward the tree line.
A trail of fresh footprints led away from the damaged light pole into snow.
The footprints were deep and showed that someone had recently run away fast.
Officer Mark: The suspect might still be nearby in the woods, boy.
Sarah took Lily's hand and stepped back toward the safety of the path.
Sarah: Please be careful Officer, catch whoever did this terrible thing.
Lily: Go get them, brave doggie!
Titan barked once more in agreement, his tail wagging with eager focus.
Officer Mark unclipped the long tracking lead from his duty belt apparatus.
He attached the long rope to Titan's strong leather working harness.
Officer Mark: Track them down, Titan! Find the source!
The crowd watched in silence as the brave dog put his nose to snow.
Titan surged forward along the fresh footprints leading into the dense trees.
Officer Mark followed close behind his partner through the deep winter slush.
The search for the dangerous metal thief had officially begun in earnest.
The trail led deeper into the quiet, snow covered woods behind the park.