Published: October 03, 2008 07:45 pm         

City parks

Crackdown a welcome step

Congratulations to the city of Logansport on its efforts to crack down on juveniles creating problems in city parks.

Mayor Mike Fincher appeared at a recent meeting of the parks and recreation board to report that between 25 and 40 adolescents had been congregating on almost a daily basis at Tower Park. In many instances, the mayor said, neighbors have complained of loud music, profanity and even fights.

Fincher asked the board for support of police efforts to keep the peace, and the board responded by approving a measure giving the department the authority to enforce park rules. That measure will be up for final approval at this month’s meeting.

The effort is similar to a curfew crackdown that resulted in 34 juvenile arrests in the first weekend.

Fincher told the board that he and several police officers recently visited the park and found it to be “trashed.” He said the activities of the youths gathering in the park were causing other residents to stay away.

He said he was so put off by what was happening at the park that he toyed with the idea of closing it.

We understand the sentiment, but we hope no such draconian measures will be necessary.

Logansport has reason to be proud of its many public parks, and clearly residents both young and old should have the opportunity to enjoy them. No one should be allowed to take actions that make others feel less welcome there.

We applaud the park board for its action, and we support the police department in its efforts to keep the peace.