Unacceptable antics in Kingston Park

By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Late-night antics at Chatham’s Kingston Park are raising the ire of nearby residents.

That’s led to the launch of a petition calling on the municipality to increase surveillance and take other measures to help put the brakes on the problem.

Bryan McLellan, who lives near the entrance of the park, said folks in the neighbourhood are fed up with vehicles congregating in the evening, with some racing on the street and in the parking lot.

A total of 50 signatures have been collected so far.

“There are between eight to 10 vehicles and three or four usual suspects,” McLellan said, noting neighbours have taken it upon themselves to clean up beer cans, drug paraphernalia and garbage that accumulates at the gatherings.

McLellan said residents who have confronted the offenders have been met with hostility, adding another layer to the problem.

“Some of the residents have experienced threats,” McLellan told The Voice in a recent interview. “I’m not the only one trying to do something about it.”

McLellan said neighbours would like to see the municipality take a three-pronged approach to solve the issue, including the installation of cameras in the park, gates blocking the entrance and traffic-calming permanent speed bumps. Currently, these are only seasonal.

“Right now, there’s nothing,” he added.

McLellan said Chatham-Kent police are aware of the problem and respond quickly to complaints. But he said more needs to be done to bring lasting change.

In an email message, Chatham-Kent Police Service corporate communications co-ordinator Shelomi Legall said there are no “immediate plans” to install CCTV cameras in Kingston Park, as the current budget for the CCTV project has been exhausted.

However, she said council has asked for an update on the program – including recommendations – which could include Kingston Park.

A pilot project using CCTV cameras in some of C-K’s downtown areas began in 2020. It has since been expanded and has proven to be useful in solving crimes.

Chatham Coun. Alysson Storey said she appreciates residents coming forward with their concerns.

“Ideally, we can work with parks and recreation and our police colleagues to address this,” Storey said. “We want to ensure it is a safe space for all.”

McLellan hopes that a remedy will be found for the problems at Kingston Park.

“This is a completely unsustainable situation,” he added. “Thankfully no one has been hurt yet, but that’s where it’s going to end up. This is a family-oriented park and we need to keep it safe. The last thing you want is booze and drugs in the park.”

A Chatham-Kent bylaw prohibits people from attending all parks from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.