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9.2.C. PRSR 07-11-2007Item: 9.2.C. t~ver Parks and Recreation MEMORANDUM TO: Parks and Recreation Commission Members FROM: Ross Demant, Recreation Coordinator DATE: June 28`h, 2007 SUBJECT: Lions Park Band Shell The band shell located at Lions Park has been an ongoing concern for both the Park and Recreation and Police Departments. The band shell has to be cleaned out and repaired almost daily because of the garbage, graffiti, and destruction left behind by the young adults who frequent it. The staff at Lions Park also have had to call the police on numerous occasions due to young adults smoking and doing suspected illegal behavior. If the band shell is removed, the current performances that take place there can still do so on the stage. For larger performances that required the shell for protection against the elements a tent can be rented and erected on the stage that would be able to provide the same protection. Also by removing the shell, a large obstacle would be removed allowing for the entire park to be viewed and enjoyed whether you are on the walking path or on the road. Below is an article that appeared in the Star News on Wednesday, June 27`'', 2007 Juvenile arrested with gun at Lions Park ~_:~, Wednesday, 27 June 2007 A juvenile male was arrested June 22 for possession of a handgun on city property, felony possession of a handgun, theft of a handgun, fleeing from police, possession on stolen property and possession of a pistol under 18 years of age. The arrest took place after Sherburne County Drug Task Force investigators responded to a complaint on June 21 that a group of juveniles were smoking marijuana under the band shell at Lions Park in Elk River. At that time the juvenile was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia. The next day, a warrant was issued by Wright County for the same juvenile because of a probation violation. When investigators spotted him at Lions Park again, the juvenile started to flee on foot, but was caught. A 9mm handgun in his backpack and unidentified pills were found in his possession, which have been sent to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for analysis. The juvenile was taken into custody. The gun was also found to be stolen from an Elk River residence. Possible additional charges are pending Kiver Police Department MEMORANDUM TO: Bill Maertz, Parks Director FROM: Jeffrey A. Beahen, Chief of Police DATE: June 27, 2007 SUBJECT: Lions Park Band Shell The band shell at Lions Park has always been a problem spot and a constant location for activity that is both undesirable and illegal. The primary draw for this location is the concealment that it offers juvenile or young adults from the supervising eyes of either park staff or local school officials and even the patrol officers who drive by-day or night. The problems of recent months include: Location of numerous after school fights, both middle school and high school levels. Often used by students as a place to use during school hours for smoking, including tobacco and marijuana. An attractive place for illegal activities of all kind to occur-basically out of sight, out of mind. (We have found meth pipes, marijuana pipes and hypodermic syringes inside the shell itself) • We have two calls in the past three weeks of transients sleeping inside. Both were removed without incident, but one was identified as potentially being involved in an indecent exposure incident at two other locations in the City. • Becomes a hang out at night for large groups of juveniles and young adults. • Is difficult to approach this area without being detected due to the orientation of the shell. When police surveillance of the problem area does occur, we do it with high powered viewing devices from afar, and then have to sweep in quickly on foot to make the contact or arrest. In short, the band shell is used very seldom for any sanctioned event, and the value of keeping it there is far outweighed by the daily illegal and unwanted activity that occurs there. Removing it would clean up that area of the park, and make the general park a safer place for all to be.