Police report: three incidents at Walter Stinson Park; lighting debated but no change ordered

The safety committee reviewed recent police incident data for Walter Stinson Park; staff and council discussed whether adding lighting would reduce vandalism or could inadvertently attract more activity after hours.

Chief Rogers told the committee he prepared a memo covering incidents at the park recorded in the department system between Jan. 1, 2024, and Sept. 4, 2025. Rogers said the department’s records for that period list three notable incidents: an arrest tied to fireworks on July 7, 2024; property damage to the park bathrooms recorded Aug. 1, 2024; and a later report of damage. Rogers said the department conducts multiple park checks daily and unlocks the bathrooms during certain seasons; the patrol assigned to the park’s zone includes regular checks.

“We're there regularly, doing park checks multiple times a day,” Rogers said, describing patrol activity.

Committee members asked whether adding lighting along park paths would deter vandalism. Rogers summarized the tradeoffs: crime-prevention literature supports lighting in some contexts but lighting can also extend usable hours and draw more people into a space that the city’s park ordinance closes at 9 p.m. He recommended a data-driven approach before installing lights.

“We would need to be data driven,” Rogers said, noting the department’s incident count for the period covered was small and that patrol presence and vehicle lighting are currently used to monitor the park.

The committee did not direct an immediate installation of lighting. Members suggested staff research peer-reviewed evidence on lighting and public safety, and the committee will consider next steps if incidents increase.