Residents and officials spar over restricted parking and waterfront access at Hawk Island

A heated public exchange on June 29 focused on proposed changes to restricted parking near Hawk Island and along Delaware Avenue.

Donna Morris (101 Vine Street) told the committee she previously "did not feel safe living here" before permit restrictions were adopted because visitors left trash, trespassed and in some instances behaved indecently; she suggested installing a camera at the Hawk Island entrance or creating a small gravel parking area in the woods to keep vehicles off neighborhood streets.

Other residents, including Mike and Deb Stinger and Mary Wood, urged the committee to allow taxpaying residents to have guests park nearer their homes and said the current permit windows can prevent ordinary hosting and cause inconvenience. Several residents proposed modest solutions such as designated gravel parking and more flexible guest placard processes.

Police and some committee members pushed back, citing historical enforcement concerns and police call‑for‑service data. The police chief said dispatch procedures and anonymity constraints complicate follow‑ups and that officers respond when callers request an on‑scene contact. Supporters of the current restrictions said they reduced prior problems at Hawk Island.

Committee members agreed to continue the discussion at the July 13 meeting (the ordinance had been placed on the agenda as a discussion item) and took no ordinance action at the June 29 meeting. Residents were asked to bring more comments to the next meeting; staff indicated they will circulate call‑for‑service documentation to committee members for review.