The Van Buskirk golf course, one of two in Stockton, Calif. that city officials are considering closing amid residents’ protests, has seen 38 calls for police service in the past three months, including several break-ins to the maintenance building to start a fire and steal equipment. Dirt bikes and motorcycles have damaged greens and there was also a report of a vandal using an air rifle to shoot out a clubhouse TV.

More than 100 residents gathered on December 4 to weigh in on a proposal by Mayor Michael Tubbs that would end the city’s $850,000 annual subsidy of the Swenson and Van Buskirk golf courses, effectively closing them and making the land available for redevelopment. The public comment period was dominated by people supporting the golf…

Citing annual subsidies from the city that have swelled to $850,000, more than double the cost of four years ago, Mayor Michael Tubbs is pushing for Swenson Park Golf Course to be repurposed as a mixed-use property and for Van Buskirk Golf Course to become a recreational complex. At a special meeting on Monday night,…