The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "playground" ...
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Too Close For Comfort
Known child sex offenders are not permitted to live within 500 feet of schools, playgrounds, or other facilities that provide programs for minors only. After an investigation, nine sex offenders were found to violate the 500 feet law.
Tags: sex offender; child molestation; sexual abuse; zoning law; Peoria Police; Bloomington
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Qualified to Coach?
WWL-TV investigated the criminal backgrounds of both paid and volunteer coaches of the New Orleans Recreation Department, and found that ten percent of the coaches had names and birthdays that matched those on criminal arrest records. Approximately one year before the investigation started, a coach was murdered on a New Orleans playground in front of his team of 10-year-olds. It turned out that he was a convicted drug felon who was facing more charges at the time of his death.
Tags: New Orleans Recreation Department; coaches with criminal arrest records; caretakers and arrest records
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The Bully Project
WITI-TV caught a seven-year-old student being brutally attacked by other students on a playground as teachers standby. The tape and other reports of bullying at school spurred an investigative story by WITI-TV and eventually led to a public service program that helps hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin children. The Bully Project gives students and parents information about school bullying and offers them tips on how to prevent it.
Tags: The Bully Project; school abuse; Department of Health and Family Services; PTA; public service programs
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Toxic material lingers at depot
Streater's Star-Telegram article explains the contamination of soil in the surrounding areas of the Forth Worth Federal Center. The Center used to be an old Army supply depot, and stored, for over sixty years, lead, magneses ore, and additional raw materials. After looking over 5000 pages of Federal, state, and city records, the Star-Telegram uncovers a few hidden facts. The soil of a nearby preschool and playground are both contaminated. Environmental consultants warned that humans should not be in contact with contaminated areas. There is speculation of drums of buried chemical waste, including Agent Orange (circa Vietnam) somewhere in the area.
Tags: Fort Worth Federal Center; North Greenbriar; contaminated soil
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What's in your backyard?
The news team learned that several people complained the EPA never told them about toxic chemical waste contamination in their residential area. The waste was dumped near their homes or contaminated their water. Some residents eventually found out as they started to fall sick, but the EPA had known about the exposure for decades. The news team obtained the EPA database, mapped out where contaminants were concentrated and spotted the affected people. The source of contamination is traced to two steel companies. As a result, legislation is on the way, and authorities are testing soil and water.
Tags: backyard; toxic waste; chemical waste; EPA; Environmental Protection Agency; contaminants; dumping; toxic chemicals; arsenic; Health Department; contamination; pollution; drinking water; municipal water; skin rash; stomach problems; illness; potential health threat; secret; playground; pneumonia; tumor; lymphoma; pond; well water; benzene; cancer; toxin; steel warehouse; Unit 5; sludge
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"Roughed up at recess"
Undercover surveillance at 52 schools representing five of the state's largest school districts revealed how widespread violence and bullying were on the playground. The investigation focused on the problem of bullying and its causes, contributing factors and possible solutions. The set of stories now serve as educational tools for parents, teachers and administrators statewide.
Tags: school violence; bullying; playgrounds; hidden-camera investigation
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Playing with poison
WISH-TV set out to discover whether or not Indiana's children were being slowly poisoned by the playgrounds they play on every day. Most decks and playgrounds are treated with copper, chrome and arsenic to protect against weather and insects. The state says that 3.9 parts per million is a safe level of arsenic, but WISH-TV found playgrounds with levels of 56, 33.2 and a picnic table with a level of 3480. The EPA and other state health and environmental agencies have been aware of the problem for some time, but have failed to alert parents to the potential problem.
Tags: TAPE; TRANSCRIPT; health; safety; children; playgrounds; EPA
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Predator next door
A three-part News 12 investigation reports on children falling victim to sexual abuse. The first part reveals that many cases of sexual abuse occur at home by a person the child know and trusts. Many offenses go unreported because children do not talk about what happened, or are afraid to testify. Part two is based on a "surprisingly candid interview" with a convicted sex offender who admits he will never be cured. Part three is a hidden camera investigation showing how children, although taught not to go with strangers, can be easily lured to walk away from their playgrounds. An undercover police officer plays the role of the "stranger," while children's parents are watching the entire matter unfold before heir eyes.
Tags: TAPE; TRANSCRIPT; crime; police; prison; jail; offenders; parents; justice; crime statistics
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Town and Country
Education Week reports on how "urban and rural communities across the country have gone to court in search of more help from their states in constructing and upgrading schools." The story looks at how Alaska's villages and New Jersey's cities have fared in their struggles for financial aid for education. The comparison is between Golovin, Alaska, and Newark, New Jersey. "They represent two sides of the same coin ... yet they have this in common: Compared with the facilities of other school districts in their own states, the schools in Golovin and Newark are at a significant disadvantage," the publication reports.
Tags: renovation; discipline; playgrounds; finances; Abbott v. Burke; lawsuits; education; students; teachers superintendents
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Playground or Preserve
Washington Monthly investigates "how the recreation industry has become the newest threat to our public lands." The story reveals that "recreation fees create incentive for the agency [the Forest Service] to make decisions based not on what is good for the land, but on what will increase the number of visitors." The author explores how skiing industry has stimulated "widespread real-estate development near public lands," thus posing multiple hazards to the wildlife.
Tags: U.S. Department of Agriculture; Forest Service; National Park service; Bureau of Land Management; environment; white river; Colorado; ski; resorts ownership