PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Parks Commission is considering a policy to ban those who have been arrested inside a city park from city parks.

 

Parks and Open Spaces Manager James McGrath presented the idea on Tuesday to issue no-trespass orders to those arrested. The plan stems from a working group looking to improve safety at the skate park on Appleton Avenue.

 

"Sometimes it is for just that one park but oftentimes it is trespassed for all city parks," McGrath said.

 

School officials previously asked for the ability to issue trespass orders on the skate park. But, in meeting with City Solicitor Richard Dohoney and Police Chief Michael Wynn, McGrath said a more overarching policy emerged.

 

"This is in response to what the school department is seeing with individuals causing disturbances across the street [from Pittsfield High]," McGrath said.

 

Dohoney suggested expanding the policy across the board to include all city parks. McGrath received permission to craft a policy outlining the details. 

 

"This is done more through the Police Department and the legal process with the backing of this commission," McGrath said. 

 

The Parks Commission has the ability to issue no-trespass orders for any reason. It would apply to anyone arrested while in the parks, but how long the individual would be banned is still uncertain.

 

"I think the trespass order triggered by this could be a deterrent," said Parks Commissioner Anthony DeMartino, but he also felt the policy needs a careful analysis before implementation.

 

That policy will be coupled with the installation of security cameras at the skate park to help control activity there. Previously school officials asked for the park to be closed during school hours in the wake of a stabbing there. School officials said the park has become a distraction for students who would congregate there.

 

However, many skateboarders and bikers protested the closure, saying the students are the ones causing trouble not those who use the park properly. A task force of parks representatives, users, and school officials have been working toward a middle ground.

 

McGrath said security cameras could be installed by this summer for less than $2,500. He has a meeting scheduled with the information technology department and maintenance later this week.

 

"There is a very low cost initiative to get cameras on the park. The technology is getting better and the prices are coming down," McGrath said.

 

The cameras won't be monitored at all times but it does provide the ability for city officials to review the tape in case of an incident.