Residents urge action after daytime vehicle break-ins at Bonnie Wenk Park; police increase patrols and cameras

Several residents used the council’s public comment period to urge action after a string of daytime vehicle break-ins at Bonnie Wenk Park that targeted a family caring for goats the city brought in for brush control.

John Montez, a 25-year resident, told council members a vehicle break-in on June 10 at Bonnie Wenk Park targeted the family managing goats used for brush cleanup. Montez said the family’s purse was stolen and contained identification, cash, credit cards, house keys and an iPad; he described the incident as part of a "troubling pattern" of thefts affecting multiple victims and urged the council and McKinney Police Department to act, asking whether the city could increase cameras in parks and deploy covert patrols to deter the crime.

Other public speakers praised recent community events and congratulated newly sworn officials; Summer Walker, representing the nonprofit Kaint Theory, presented an art piece on behalf of autistic children and urged council consideration of neurodivergent needs in decision-making. Several speakers also commended the city’s goat brush-management effort at Bonnie Wenk Park.

During council comments, a member of the council reported that the McKinney Police Department had increased patrols at Bonnie Wenk Park and that temporary cameras were already in place; the councilmember said permanent cameras would be installed and that the department was taking the incidents seriously. The council did not adopt a specific new ordinance or funding action at the meeting; residents and council members asked staff and police to follow up on targeted prevention measures and report back if additional resources or policy changes are needed.