The rules are posted at City Hotel Park and read as follows: “No loitering, no drugs, tobacco or alcohol, no pets, no littering, no solicitation, no vandalism, no skateboards, bicycles or roller blades. Violators will be prosecuted per ordinance No. 1189.”
Magistrate Fred Miller’s office confirmed to The Daily Herald this morning that a handful to a half a dozen citations for having bicycles in the park have crossed his desk in the last couple of weeks. A few in the last couple of days involved two juveniles and one adult. At press time the names of those fined were not released to The Daily Herald, and no fines have been written involving loitering of any kind.
Tyrone Mayor Pat Stoner told The Daily Herald in an interview yesterday that
“Anyone is allowed in the park, no one is denied access,” said Tyrone Mayor Pat Stoner. “It is used by residents of the high rise and young people as well. Young people have dominated the park and they’ve never been asked to leave.”
The Mayor did confirm that vandalism has taken place with plants being cut or up-rooted and the fountain was once found broken.
“People need to understand that things in the park have been donated including $2500 in plants,” said Stoner. “And none of the vandalism was because of the teen dances, because the two cases of vandalism happened before there were dances.”
The mayor’s office and the Tyrone Police Department are asking residents to live by the rules posted in the park.
“Everyone is welcome to sit and enjoy the park and of course they are welcome. But no one is excluded from the rules,” said the mayor. “The rules are posted in the park so everyone knows what they are and so police have a reason to go in if necessary.”
“Loitering is not an issue in City Hotel Park,” said Tyrone Borough Police Chief Joe Beachem. “There is a misconception in town. We are not throwing people out of the park. Everyone is welcome to sit, eat and enjoy the scenery. The only time we step in is if there’s a problem. We want to be sure to address any vandalism to the park and destruction to the concrete.”
According to the ordinance and the chief, “loitering is hanging around and being up to behavior you shouldn’t be doing.”
Chief Beachem gave an example of behavior.
“There was a situation involving fireworks that were being set off by kids,” he said. “The police asked them to leave the park. If they wouldn’t have left, they could have been written up for loitering or possible criminal mischief charges.”
Fines for breaking the rules in the park range from $25 to no higher than $600. Recently a security camera was installed to assist police in catching possible vandals.
“City Hotel Park was a gift of love from a man who didn’t live long enough to see it dedicated,” said Stoner. “It is a positive thing that is sad if people don’t think they can use it. It reflects badly on what Mr. Judges wishes were. So enjoy the park, but please don’t destroy.”
