Community needs to help keep parks safe

It can't be easy being a law enforcement officer in a small city or town.

And Greene County is filled with many small cities and towns.

One or two people can't be everywhere at once, and keeping everyone happy is probably impossible.

So what can we do to keep our parks free of trouble and in good shape? I'm not sure anyone has the perfect answer.

The Linton City Council recently passed an ordinance that closes Humphreys Park from midnight to 4 a.m. each day. According to Mayor Tom Jones and Linton Police Chief Troy Jerrell, some activity was taking place that was illegal (drugs).

A couple of years ago the Lyons Park was vandalized, and the Bloomfield Park has had trouble as well the past few years.

The parks are for everyone, but unfortunately a few can ruin it for an entire city or town.

The police can't sit at any park for 24 hours to make sure nothing happens. But more patrols can help, and I know that's exactly what the Linton Police Department is doing.

Residents need to step up and help with this problem. Attend the next Bloomfield or Lyons town council meeting or Linton and Jasonville city council meetings.

Don't sit back and hope the problem goes away. It takes community involvement for anything good to happen.

Our parks are an important part of Greene County. Let's keep it that way.