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Public Inebriates Takeover Midtown Park for Heavy DrinkingPolice have received at least 100 calls from Anchorage residents about problems in the Cuddy Family Midtown Park in the last six months.Related Content
The Cuddy Family Midtown Park is a gem in the middle of Anchorage. Located behind the Loussac Library the park attracts plenty of families and nearby office workers on a sunny day. But lately it has also been attracting something else: trouble in the form of public inebriates. Anchorage Police Lt. Dave Parker says in the last six months that APD has received at least 100 calls from residents, mostly about people drinking in the park. Teresa McPherson is a frequent park user who has witnessed the trouble first hand. “I have seen people engaging in heavy alcohol use,” says McPherson. “ I've seen fist fights break out near the trail. My husband’s coworker even saw an attempted rape.” And just last month a visiting Girl Scout troop spotted a naked woman who’d stripped off her clothes to take a dip in the duck pond. Police responded and wrestled her out. Unfortunately, the trouble isn’t just in the park. In the small stretch of woods that surround the park are the remains of a homeless camp that looks like it’s been recently occupied. But despite the trouble, police say the park is safe and that citizens shouldn’t fear going there. Lt. Parker encourages people to call if they see a problem at the park or something that makes them uncomfortable. He says the worst thing people could do is stop visiting altogether. “People need to use the parks. There's nothing like good folks out there with their families using the parks,” says Parker. “That’s what they’re intended for.” |
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Jimbo said on Saturday, Jul 2 at 9:27 PM
Think about all the drinking and fights that happen in peoples' homes that we never hear about. Homeless people don't drink and fight more, it's just more visible. Did some people think they'd stop drinking and fighting when they got kicked out of their camps?
70082967Rebecca said on Saturday, Jun 25 at 9:41 AM
Yeah never fear. If someone trys to rape you, you can make a phone call to the APD. They'll save you in time.
69650236Travis said on Saturday, Jun 25 at 8:07 AM
Boy, I tell ya... I got this paged saved for any time I need a good laugh. Some of the comments while hilarious, are also sad, and true facts. The Anchorage Police Dept. is chasing the bums around the city from one park to the next, what do we intend to achieve here? The bums are not gonna disappear, and they are not gonna jump in the inlet, so where does this costly endeavor end?
69646642koopaluk said on Friday, Jun 24 at 7:20 AM
"Icall heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: - - - ." Deut.30:19 Society is reaping what it has sown.
69590054MoJoJoJo said on Friday, Jun 24 at 6:40 AM
This really isn't a problem. You simply have to adapt. Instead of flying a kite you can go to the park to watch the fights, naked swimmers and other fun events. Quit whining and join in the fun.
69587523locolobo66 said on Friday, Jun 24 at 2:32 AM
Well where do you think they will go when chased out of their tent cities???? Oops, looks like THAT backfired!
69575027Anonymous said on Friday, Jun 24 at 12:20 AM
What are you waiting on?
69573142Don said on Friday, Jun 24 at 12:04 AM
at least this isn't Detroit.
69572917olddg said on Thursday, Jun 23 at 10:22 PM
I agree with Brian, What happened to bike patrols by APD? They have the bikes,USE THEM. I bike all the trails every afternoon and the things I see being done by ineberiates and homeless bums. They own Campbell park, do their laundry in the creek drink all afternoon and all nite there.
69571477Kablooma Snowball said on Thursday, Jun 23 at 10:19 PM
I think Fire Island would make a good inebriate park.
69571443K said on Thursday, Jun 23 at 9:24 PM
Like the City has dog parks, the City should also create a "drunk/drug park" by setting aside an area for these people to camp and drink. Require these people to go there. That would at least do something to get them in a centrally located area and keep them away from law abiding people, families and children.
69570362Brian said on Thursday, Jun 23 at 8:32 PM
I say form a citizens patrol, and start sending a bill for the service to the city. Which will eventually end up in litigation, and force the issue into the courts. Once in the courts, we have them by the Short N Curly's.
69569023Brian said on Thursday, Jun 23 at 8:23 PM
Mayor Sullivan mayor@muni.org (907) 343-7100
69568679Brian said on Thursday, Jun 23 at 8:06 PM
Send your emails DIRECTLY to Dan Sullivan's office. mayor@muni.org Here is an email i just sent, i encourage you to do the same. Sir; I'm a long time resident of this community, and choose to raise my family here for many reasons. One of them being that it has been a safe place for my children to play and grow. However, recent events have caused me GREAT! concern over how crime in this city is being handled, and by whom as well. I have posted a link to a recent article from By "Lauren Maxwell" at KTVA which in all honesty, has made me sick! to my stomach. you can find the link at the bottom of this message. In this article, it had been substantiated that at least 100 phone calls from residents have been made to APD within just the last 6 months in regards to Public intoxication, rape, public nudity, and violence. Now, i am aware this has been an ongoing battle for the city for many many years now. The problem never seems to get better, and policy after policy has only serverd to s
69568142Drew said on Thursday, Jun 23 at 7:40 PM
Also many of these tent n tarp dwellers - have seriously soiled underwear thru alcohlic bowel problems, Hep A, B, and C. Plus HIV..and are a great threat with TB also...does anyone REALLY care ??
69567114We need lawyers said on Thursday, Jun 23 at 7:36 PM
If you ever wanted to make a difference, then help your fellow citizens out. We need to take power back to the public using our brains. There have to be a group of lawyers out there who see everyday the corruption within our government. Whatever talents you have, we need you to help organize the public's voice.
69566901Duuuuugh! said on Thursday, Jun 23 at 7:32 PM
Gee how did I know the homeless would move to another park? We are paying serious tax money for the police to chase homeless people from one end of the city to the other!
69566714Brian said on Thursday, Jun 23 at 7:08 PM
“People need to use the parks. There's nothing like good folks out there with their families using the parks,” says Parker. “That’s what they’re intended for.”..LtParker. I'm sorry people but my eyeballs are floating in molten lava right now i'm so mad at the sheer IDIOCY of this officers comments. So lemme get this straight. Violence, rape, nudity, public intoxication, disease etc., in the park. And this officer wants you and your family to go use the park. All the while claiming it's perfectly safe. So i suppose officer Parker would also encourage you and your family to go play in a bear den as well..... pheenixfyre@yahoo.com i'm collecting signatures and would like to coordinate a rally.
69565574Travis said on Thursday, Jun 23 at 7:05 PM
Absolutely! Nevermind those drunken rapists... Go ahead on out there with your children, and enjoy yourself!
69565407Brian said on Thursday, Jun 23 at 7:02 PM
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did i just read the most ignorant response from any police officer in my 39 years of life in this town?....YES I DID. People the APD is OUT!.....OF!.....CONTROL!. Attempted rapes, violence, public indecency. And this LtParker has the nerve to say it's safe, and there is nothing to worry about. I say someone start a rally and STORM! the front lawn of APD. Time to take our city back people, and it starts with taking back our police department. Also, 2 weeks ago a man was beatan near death on the trail. APD has refused to send a single patrol to the area, but are willing to spend 50,000 dollars of your tax money to catch someone who shot at an officer last week. This is THE! most incompitent police force in allll of alaska...time to take action people.
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