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School and police outline fencing, lighting and outreach after child was poked with needle on playground
Summary
Superintendent Joe Clark and Deputy Chief Sean Briscoe described immediate and planned responses after a child was poked by a needle at Rick Marcotte School: erect an 8‑foot security fence, install motion‑sensor lighting, clear brush, increase directed foot patrols and partner with Howard Center outreach; parents asked council for a 500‑foot loitering/encampment buffer and streamlined tree‑trimming permits for school safety.
School and city officials told the City Council on Oct. 6 they have taken immediate steps and developed short‑, mid‑ and long‑term measures to keep children safe at Rick Marcotte School after a child found and was poked by a needle on a playground.
Superintendent Joe Clark described the response he said the district and city implemented within days: "We are, 1st of all, putting up an 8 foot security fence in addition to the 1 that is already there," Clark said, and added that the school had already put motion‑sensor lighting in place while longer‑term, brighter lighting and tree clearing are evaluated. Clark said staff had also increased morning and pre‑departure playground sweeps and that a contractor and permit were in place to begin work soon.
Deputy Chief Sean Briscoe described expanded police activity around the school and adjacent commercial parcels: the department has conducted more than 50 documented foot patrols in the area over the last two weeks and is coordinating with local businesses to improve lighting and camera coverage. Briscoe said the department is also working with the Howard Center outreach team so officers on scene can connect people in need to services.
Multiple parents and PTO leaders urged the council to adopt two policy changes: an ordinance prohibiting loitering or encampments within 500 feet of school property and an exception to tree‑trimming or permitting requirements so schools can clear sightlines quickly. Whitney Kirsinger, chair of the Rick Marcotte PTO safety committee, described repeated efforts by parents to address overgrowth and asked the city to provide clearer authority to schools to address perimeter visibility issues.
Councilors asked staff to return with more analysis and options; staff and the new police chief said they would follow up with an agenda item to provide additional background and recommended next steps for possible ordinance and permit changes.
