JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY
Borough officials, dismayed and frustrated by continued vandalism at Makle Park, said the park is close to being shut down.
The most recent incident was an act of arson at the basketball court, in which a melted zipper was found fused to the court surface.
"It has to stop," Councilman Kelly Murphy said at the May 5 borough council workshop. He called on neighbors to remain vigilant and said this may be the community's last opportunity to save the park. "I think we really need to get the message out: This is your last chance. Take care of it, or you may lose it forever."
Mayor Leo Lutz echoed the sentiment: "If this continues, have a resolution and shut that park down."
Resident Frank Doutrich said, "This has been going on for years, especially there, so we spend all the money, and we still don't have it solved."
Lutz outlined several measures under consideration, including new surveillance cameras aimed directly at the restroom doors and additional camera coverage across the park. He noted the borough has already spoken with residents of four newly built homes whose backyards face the park, asking them and others to keep watch. "So far, we haven't got a lot of help," Lutz said. He added that Police Chief Holly Arndt has recently increased patrols at the park.
Future grant funding from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) may be at risk if the borough can't show proper upkeep of the park. "DCNR is going to come down, they're going to look and say you can't keep up the money we spent. You're not getting any more," Lutz said.
Lutz referenced a prior episode in which vandals broke a backboard and bent rims so badly that the borough removed them and effectively closed the courts. Resident Kurt Edmond Sr. later raised the funds to install new rims and backboards. Lutz said he hopes Edmond can again help remind the community to take better care of the park.
Borough Manager Jack Brommer noted that new lighting had recently been installed. Despite those improvements, Lutz acknowledged the park's somewhat secluded location makes oversight difficult. "It's the only park we have that is kind of out of public view," he said, adding that identifying suspects wearing hoods and masks presents a challenge.
Eric Kauffman, council president, said, "In any neighborhood, the more active they are, the less crime there is," he said. "If our parks are busy and occupied, then the trash won't build up, the bathrooms will be taken care of because people will want to use those parks."
Lutz noted that with warmer weather approaching, events are planned at the park — an opportunity to bring more eyes and community presence.
Lutz said the borough would continue looking for community members to help monitor and maintain the park, and urged anyone with information about the April 28 arson to come forward. "The neighborhood needs to step up and take control of that area," he said. "Someone needs to speak up."
