Resident Proposes 'Park Watch' Volunteers

A Cinnaminson resident brought a proposal to Monday night that would appoint adult volunteers to serve as “park watch” members during night weekend hours.

along with Mayor Don Brauckmann on the Republican ticket, was in charge of a neighborhood watch committee in Philadelphia’s Mayfair section before moving to Cinnaminson. 

“I got involved there because they put out a desperate call for volunteers, or else they wouldn’t have [the watch group],” said McCarthy.

Township committee to dawn until dusk and passed an ordinance that would allow police to request park-goers to leave if they are there after hours.

A township resident expressed concern last month over the shortening of park hours, saying kids need a place to go. McCarthy agrees with that resident, he said, and thinks adult volunteers, manning shifts at the park, could cut down on violence and vandalism at the parks.

“I want to see who is willing to step up,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy’s hopes are set high; he’s hoping about 50 adult volunteers donate one shift every three months on a Friday or Saturday night.

McCarthy suggests the shift be from 7 to 10 p.m. or from 8 to 11 p.m. and two volunteers would be on duty.

“I think the big concern is the hanging out at ,” McCarthy said.

to park benches and play structures. Graffiti was found inside the township’s .

The volunteers, McCarthy said, would not be “interfering, but just keeping an eye on” nighttime park-goers.

“They could walk in and out of the bathroom every so often,” McCarthy suggested.

McCarthy thinks vandalism could be averted if nighttime park-goers “see an adult there that has something to do with the township.”

McCarthy suggested volunteers would attend a mandatory two-hour training session with the here. According to his proposal, these volunteers would act as 1. The eyes and ears of the police department; 2. An adult presence that would discourage poor behavior; and 3. Help keep good order.

Public Safety Director Michael P. King said a park watch could work however getting that many volunteers to commit may be difficult and the watch may not sustain.

Committeewoman Kathy Fitzpatrick suggested a teen volunteer accompany an adult volunteer and the teenager could earn service credits.

Brauckmann liked the idea and said he brought it up to the parks and recreation advisory board earlier this month after McCarthy shared the proposal with him. All were on board, he said.

McCarthy said he’d like to work on getting the word out and finding volunteers to see if the plan can get off the ground.