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Parks unit reports declines in several park incidents; officers urge cameras, barricades and other measures at problem sites
Summary
Evansville parks unit officers reported reduced incidents in many parks but flagged Stephenson, Line Street and Teepee parks for ongoing problems and recommended trial cameras and other deterrents; staff said cameras will be included in some park budgets going forward.
Evansville Police Department parks unit officers told the Board of Parks Commissioners May 7 that reported incidents in several parks have declined year over year, but urged the city to expand surveillance and physical deterrents at certain problem parks.
Lieutenant Matt (parks unit, Evansville Police Department) said the parks unit — a dedicated team that patrols parks and engages residents — has been active for about a year and receives largely positive public feedback. "I would say the safety in the parks has gotten a lot better," he said, while adding that certain problems persist at night and on third shift, when activity is harder to deter.
Officer Abrey Fazi and Officer Fossey (Evansville Police Department, parks unit) described specific trouble spots. Officer Fossey said Stephenson Park and Line Street Park continue to see drug activity, people sleeping in equipment and safety concerns that keep local day-care providers from visiting. She told the board juvenile detectives have pressed for cameras at Teepee Park, which officers said is "tucked away" and has recorded incidents including disorderly conduct, battery and intimidation involving juveniles.
Fossey said juvenile detectives requested cameras focused on the park's covered area, which she described as a location where repeated incidents occur. "This is the one park that our juvenile detectives are adamant on trying to push to get cameras," she said, noting that cameras can assist follow-up and investigations for crimes that happen overnight.
Officers also described weekend problems at Mickey's Kingdom and the skate-park parking area, where overnight parties, burnouts and large vehicles have created hazards. Officers reported semis turning in a parking lot and striking boulders placed to block them; staff said they are working with INDOT and others on signage and other mitigations.
Board members and staff discussed trial camera systems and the need for better data to target interventions. A parks official noted that cameras will be part of some upcoming project budgets: "With the Garvin Park Playground, there will be cameras included in that," Danielle said, and TP Park (Teepee Park) and other large projects are being evaluated for similar measures.
The board asked staff and the police to continue coordinating on a prioritized plan that could include cameras, improved signage, temporary barricades or other physical deterrents, and to return data-driven recommendations in future meetings.
