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Residents press for answers on Gene Clark Park gate, spike strips and park attendants
Summary
After a May shooting and recurring disturbances, residents urged the committee for timelines, legal clarity, and live camera access at Gene Clark Park; staff described interim park attendants, equipment needs and vendor searches for damaged traffic spikes.
Residents and neighborhood advocates urged the Benton Harbor Public Safety and Public Works Committee to clarify the city’s path forward for safety and maintenance at Gene Clark Park, including gate access, damaged traffic spikes and the deployment of park attendants.
Jacqueline Elliott, a founding member of the Gene Clark Neighborhood Coalition, told the committee the coalition had documented 20 incidents since May 20, raised concerns about after‑hours activity and asked four specific questions: the legal distinction between public access and vehicle access under a 1917 deed, a timeline for restoring spike strips, when park attendants currently in training would be deployed, and whether public safety can access camera feeds in real time.
City staff said the city attorney is still researching the legal questions, park attendants (described in the meeting as park attendants rather than “park rangers”) are in training and already patrolling in split shifts, and a new vehicle outfitted with license‑plate readers is awaiting a transformer for a hybrid battery so that onboard computers can be used. Staff also said the damaged spike strips will likely require full replacement due to damaged springs and sand being used to hold them down in one private property’s garage area; staff are seeking vendor and manufacturer information and cost estimates.
Public safety and public works staff described ramping up enforcement gradually to avoid “culture shock” and emphasized that several enforcement steps — ticketing, towing and increased patrols — have already been implemented since the shooting. Staff reported that patrol units circulate to beaches and parks every 45 minutes and that officers and deputies from regional partners had assisted following the incident.
Residents asked for clear timelines, signage and accountability. The committee encouraged ongoing regional coordination with Harbor Shores Community Redevelopment and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office and asked staff to report back with cost estimates for spike replacement, an implementation timeline for park attendant coverage, and any legal guidance from the city attorney.
