Vincennes City Council committee members are set to recommend the closure of city parks at midnight. The decision follows concerns raised by Parks Superintendent Chris Moore during the regular city council meeting on May 8th. Moore emphasized the need for park closure from dusk until dawn due to a surge in illegal activities, predominantly involving drag racing, littering, and vandalism committed mostly by young individuals. The Parks and Public Spaces Committee extensively deliberated on the matter during their meeting on Wednesday night. Following input from park officials and the police, the committee has decided to propose a ban on pedestrian and vehicle traffic in the parks between midnight and 5 a.m. Committee member Ryan Lough stressed the importance of consistency and fairness for all park users across different age groups while implementing this change. Police Chief Jon Hillenbrand, addressing the committee, expressed his observation of an increase in poor decision-making among young people, with the problem recently extending to Gregg Park. This development comes after years of the police dispersing loiterers in parking lots along 6th Street. T.J. Lancaster, the captain of the midnight police shift, highlighted that they receive calls mainly from concerned parents regarding reckless driving and fights reported in the park. He noted that young individuals typically gather around 11:30 p.m., mainly in the back parking lot near Rainbow Beach. The police suggested either blocking nighttime access to that lot or installing gates within the park as potential solutions. The recommendation is expected to be presented to the city council during their meeting on June 12th.
