Police Patrols Targeting Central Avenue Park Loiterers

A solution to a growing problem at is being sought by the borough as repeated complaints about young adults loitering and disturbing the peace late at night continue.

Thomas Kommenhok of Central Avenue asked the governing body Tuesday for a solution to this problem, claiming that “the parking lot across the street has become a club every weekend with kids dancing and screaming.” He claims he finds piles of cigarette butts at the playground in the mornings. He also claims cars are driving down the street in excess of 50 miles per hour.

Mayor Rose Heck told him the borough is aware of the problem and every department is working to rectify it. Separate police patrols have been ongoing and Chief Michael Colaneri has ordered cameras to be placed in the area to record the activity, she said.

The mayor suggested Kommenhok reach out to the chief directly who is working on a comprehensive plan.

Captain Joseph Cronin, who heads the patrol division, told Kommenhok he has the night crew doing hourly checks to the area. The department could possibly consider placing a police vehicle at the parking lot or possibly chain off the entrance, he suggested.

Bill Spindler, DPW superintendent, said the custodians clean the park every morning but the clean up is not the problem, the loitering is.  

Kommenhok said he has had to call the police five times in one week. He told Patch that the kids are usually at the park around 11 or 11:30 p.m. until after midnight. He says it's been a problem for some time referring to problems last summer and in recent weeks.

Councilwoman Sonya Buckman said it’s a bad situation and she too has reported the matter to the police two to three times on weekends.

Kommenhook stressed that he grew up in this town and loves it and doesn’t want to have to move his family out of town as a result of this situation.