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Residents report repeated bullying, drinking and smoking at new playground; council asks staff to follow up
Summary
Multiple complaints about teenagers harassing younger children at the recently installed playground prompted the council to direct staff to investigate and consider diversion programs for juveniles, rather than immediate arrests.
A resident, Terry McGinn of Miller Drive, reported “a dozen or 2 dozen” complaints about teenage youths bullying elementary-age children at the city’s recently installed playground.
McGinn said older teenagers are “abusing 9 year old kids, 8 year old kids,” sometimes swearing at adults and engaging in smoking and drinking at the site. He told council that adults had been asked to remove problem youths but that the behavior continued.
Council members acknowledged the complaints and indicated staff would follow up. The mayor suggested diversion programs as an option short of juvenile arrest; council noted that juvenile arrests can create records and that diversion programs are an alternative. Staff did not report an immediate enforcement action during the meeting; the council asked that staff investigate and take appropriate measures to address safety concerns at the playground.
