Police Step Up Patrols at Beaver Dam Park
Neighbors report that dozens of young adults frequent the park at night and leave it a mess.
Police have increased patrols at Beaver Dam Park after neighbors expressed quality of life concerns over what one described as, "the use and abuse of the facility."
Pellington Drive resident Jack Sheehan, who had already sent the mayor a letter of complaint signed by residents, came out to Tuesday's council work session to further air his growing apprehension about some of the park's visitors.
"Over the last three to four years, we have witnessed the erosion of our quality of life," Sheehan said. "Formerly, we would often tell relatives and friends that we hardly saw any police activity in our area. Now we are requesting some additional activity."
Sheehan explained that a growing number of young adults who are not known to residents come at night to use the park and often leave it a mess.
"The use and abuse is as follows," Sheehan continued. "Dogs are brought into the park and allowed to run loose, garbage is not put into the containers that are supplied, possible alcohol is being consumed at the facility, the brook is somewhat compromised as bottles and cans and, yes, a basketball have been thrown into the brook."
Borough manager Tom Metzler said last Tuesday that he had raised the residents' complaints at a sitdown with the police chief and captain, the parks and recreation superintendent, and the parks supervisor to coordinate a plan of action for combating the problem.
As a result of the meeting, Metzler said a memo had been sent out to the police patrol division asking them to give special attention to the park. Auxiliary police officers are also regularly checking the area.
To deal with the off-leash dogs reported at the park, health and human services director Carol Wagner has been advised to direct the animal warden to pass through the park.
"Basically, we’ve increased patrol observations in that particular area," Metzler said. "We will respond quickly to resident complaints to that area."
While Sheehan had also requested that police step up the issuance of summonses to dog ordinance violators, Metzler explained that those decisions can't be mandated and are up to an officer's discretion.
"A warning versus a ticket is the discretion of the police officer," he said. "And their ultimate goal is compliance."
Metzler said that to this point when police have responded to complaints at the park, the individuals in question have complied with police requests.
"They put people on notice, the people complied, the case was closed," he said.
Metzler also said he would look into Deputy Mayor Ed Trawinski's suggestion that the borough consider installing surveillance cameras at the park to increase compliance.
"At least to know that it’s there I think might dissuade people from some of this stuff," Trawinski said. "If we have the reduced manpower that we have in the department and if that’s going to become somewhat of a way of life, the new norm if it will, then I think we need to think outside the box for other alternatives."
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In This article
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Beaver Dam Park
Saddle River Rd & Brookside Ave, Fair Lawn, NJ -
Fair Lawn Borough: Police Department
8-01 Fair Lawn Ave, Fair Lawn, NJ
Mike Pena
9:20 am on Monday, May 7, 2012
This is also happening at the Williams at entrance where kids go into the park and leave beer bottles, garbage etc
Tommy P
10:12 am on Monday, May 7, 2012
Surveillance cameras? How about recalling Trawinski? Its 2012 not 1984.
I find it interesting how it "matters" that the people who use the park are "not known" to the neighbors. Its a public park, do they know everyone? People from everywhere are entitled to use the park.
Now the dogs off leash, post some signs, remind people. Repeat offenders, ticket. As for the alcohol, if people aren't getting wasted, what's wrong with a bunch of middle aged men playing soccer enjoying an adult beverage?
The litter is also easy to address, a bit of community outreach on the part of the PD, they can stop by during a games, have a causal conversation with the individuals and the problem will more than likely solve itself.
Chris Antonelli
11:04 am on Monday, May 7, 2012
We all cry for more police, and you want to recall Trawinski over the idea of putting a camera in a park? What's the difference between a full time officer and a camera? Answer? Less money spent in the long run and possibly a safer park.
I guess you would scream 1984 in regards to bank security guards, police patrols, police at sporting events, police guarding the airports and public transit. There happens to be cameras in most of those locations as well.
How much community outreach is going to stop 15 yr. olds from drinking in the park? The article doesn't state anything about middle aged men playing soccer. It say young adults coming at night to use the park and leave it a mess. What middle aged adult plays soccer in the dark?
You can change your name but not your government gutting, every man for himself Libertarian values.
Tommy P
1:49 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
More police, I am in, our borough is understaffed. Cameras in parks? Somethings are not about costs, cameras maybe a slight deterrent, but all they can do is document crimes. I'd rather have 1 cop than 100 cameras, maybe I'm old fashioned.
I have no issue with private individuals and companies using video surveillance to protect their private property, I like the fact that we have dashboard cams in cop cars, I think they should be 360 cams. I think officers should wear cameras too. But cameras at every publicly owned facility, isn't that an unreasonable search? Or does the 4th amendment no longer exist in our parks either?
If you enjoy TSA gropings and you think that is making us safer, I encourage you to fly. Some of the abuses that government organization has been accused of is sickening. The idea that I am presumed guilty just for flying kind of feels like the terrorist won something to me, doesn't it to you?
One of my guys plays soccer in FL parks and several others in the county from time to time, I don't know if this is one of them. The article doesn't mention minors, just people. Minors drinking alcohol is more likely to happen in a private home. I am sure you realize if you place cameras in parks that teens are resourceful, and if they want to drink, they will find somewhere.
Tommy P
1:50 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
And Chris, I am Republican, proud of it, do I have some libertarian tendencies, sure, its in our party's platform which I largely agree with.
I am still using the same account, Thomas/Tommy, I have been called both interchangeably, if you updated your profile to Christopher A, would that be a name change?
Chris Antonelli
2:47 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
So, if someone is observed dealing drugs by a police officer in a park, they should invoke the 4th Amendment? Seriously? An observation is not an unreasonable search, even with a camera. And you must have a weak argument if you're throwing in TSA searches with a security camera issue. We're not talking about private property. Police do not patrol private property. This is not a 4th Amendment issue. This is a safety issue. The public has every right to demand that a public park be safe and secure. Whether it's a physical PO watching there, or from afar, what's the difference? And a camera documenting a crime would be a really good place to start an investigation, don't you think?
Tommy P
5:40 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Prohibition is working extremely well, over the last 6 months, our mayor's daughter, the county exec's son, Emerson's mayor's son were all arrested on drug charges, the list goes on. But let's put that aside for a second.
Cameras are not free, they cost real money, need to be operated, maintained, etc. They create a false impression of security to planners who feel fewer cops are needed. Since they are typically tied to recording systems, they begin to document everything. If they are okay with a park, why not some street lights? Why not every public road, park, river, etc? Where do you draw the line?
I'm not sure if you remember Katz v US from law School, but SCOTUS held a search occurs when 1) a person expects privacy in the thing searched and 2) society believes that expectation is reasonable. Are you suggesting a recording children playing in a park is reasonable?
My comments around the airports were not a topic I introduced, you did. Not sure I understand your criticism there. Police/government cameras use the public's money to spy on them 24x7x365.
sickofpaine
10:49 am on Monday, May 7, 2012
Tommy p your rationale is of special olympian quality! Let these things go on in your backyard. Further, know it all, there ARE signs for BOTH dogs and alcohol!! The neighborhood's Quality of life is being compromised
Tommy P
1:54 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Thank you for the kind words, I have a great deal of admiration for the Special Olympics.
I haven't been to that park much. The neighbors asked for increase patrols, they are getting them, great. Parks are there to be used, if they are being misused, a simple warning maybe a better first step then a day in court.
Harvey Miller
7:05 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
If there was any other proof of problems at parks, Brookdale park was recently burnt down! A good majority of the parks are poorly maintained with a lack of garbage refuses and security.