Comstock Charter Township - July 1, 2026 Comstock Charter Township Parks and Recreation Special meeting

Updated about 8 hours ago

During the Comstock Parks and Recreation Meeting held on Wednesday, the board addresses numerous safety concerns affecting local parks. The meeting begins with a review of ordinances for Robert Morris Park, emphasizing rules against alcohol and smoking. Dakota, the Ordinance Enforcement Officer, reports on incidents involving public disturbances, intoxication, and threats, particularly in Celery Park and Merrill Park. The discussion highlights the need for stricter enforcement and potential solutions, including hiring additional ordinance officers or private security. The board also contemplates closing parks for safety or reducing operation hours. The meeting underscores the challenges of maintaining park safety and the need for increased staffing and support from local law enforcement.

Chapters

Call to Order (00:00:01)
The Charter Township of Comstock Parks and Recreation special meeting is called to order.

The meeting was officially called to order, marking the beginning of the Charter Township of Comstock Parks and Recreation special meeting for the day.
Public Comment (00:00:22)
Public comment is invited with specific rules and no comments were made.

The floor was opened for public comments with rules stipulating that a citizen may speak for no more than three minutes without discussion from the board. No public comments were made.
Park Staff and Safety Incidents (00:01:15)
Discussion on park regulations and recent safety incidents involving inappropriate behavior and rule enforcement.

A detailed discussion was held about the Robert Morris Park ordinances, covering rules on park usage, permits, and prohibited activities. Dakota, the ordinance enforcement officer, reported on various incidents, including inappropriate behavior such as public intoxication, altercations, and the enforcement challenges faced. The process for handling these incidents, the role of the ordinance officer, and the cooperation with law enforcement were elaborated.
Discussion on Physical Threats in the Community (00:30:50)
Discussion on recent physical threats reported in the community, including the presence of individuals with knives and potential threats to safety.

The meeting began with a discussion on the physical threats that have been reported in the community. The conversation highlighted concerns about individuals who were seen with knives and the potential threat they posed, especially in relation to a coop that was distributing food to the homeless. The discussion touched on the challenges of distinguishing between tools used for living by the homeless and actual weapons. The meeting also addressed the movements of certain individuals within the community and the challenges of addressing these issues with law enforcement.
Incidents of Threats and Safety Concerns (00:33:22)
Reports on multiple incidents involving threats of violence, including a shooting threat at Robert Morris guard check and bullying of staff.

Several incidents were reported involving safety concerns and threats. The first incident involved a threat of shooting directed at a worker at the Robert Morris guard check, which occurred over two days and involved harassment and bullying by individuals in a car. The staff member felt anxious about the threat, which included a statement that the car occupants would 'blow your head off'. The incident highlighted the lack of information on the perpetrators due to the nature of day passes. The discussion also covered the possibility of such individuals returning undetected.
Incident Reports and Staff Safety (00:39:12)
Detailed review of various safety incidents at local parks, including aggressive behavior, threats, and staff safety concerns.

The meeting continued with a detailed review of various safety incidents that have occurred at local parks. These include reports of aggressive behavior and threats, such as a patron threatening another with a shooting if they didn't stop fishing, and incidents of intoxicated individuals refusing to comply with park rules. Staff safety and the challenges they face in enforcing rules were a major focus. The discussion emphasized the need for better staffing and support, as well as potential changes to park operations to ensure safety. The incidents highlighted the difficulties in managing park safety with limited staff and resources.
Discussion on Park Safety Measures (01:00:01)
Concerns about safety in the park were raised, highlighting the need for more staff and security measures such as body cameras and increased police presence.

The discussion revolved around the current safety issues in the park, particularly with non-compliance to rules and incidents of violence. Suggestions included distributing a code of conduct, establishing staff protocols, and possibly using body cameras for better monitoring. The limited police support due to jurisdictional constraints was noted, and the need for more ordinance officers or a security presence was emphasized to ensure safety and compliance with park rules.
Coordination with Other Parks and Law Enforcement (01:06:01)
Exploration of collaboration with other parks and law enforcement agencies to improve security and rule enforcement in local parks.

Suggestions were made to coordinate with nearby parks and local law enforcement to share best practices and resources. The idea of having a dedicated ordinance officer or a shared security service was proposed as a potential solution to the ongoing safety and enforcement issues. The discussion also covered the logistical and financial aspects of implementing such measures, including potential funding from the Township.
Enforcement of Park Rules During Disc Golf Events (01:14:01)
The enforcement of park rules during disc golf events was discussed, focusing on issues like alcohol consumption and smoking.

During disc golf events, enforcement of park rules was carried out by providing warnings for violations such as alcohol consumption and smoking. Despite initial resistance, most participants complied after warnings were issued. The use of body cameras was highlighted as effective in documenting interactions and ensuring compliance. The challenge of maintaining rule enforcement after enforcement personnel leave was noted.
Incident and Threats Related to Park Rule Enforcement (01:21:01)
Incidents of non-compliance and threats against staff following rule enforcement in the park were reported, leading to temporary park closure.

After enforcing park rules during a disc golf event, staff and officers faced threats of violence from some community members, particularly online. This led to concerns for staff safety and the decision to temporarily close the park. The threats included vandalism of park property and personal threats against enforcement officers. A police report was filed, but the response and support from law enforcement were limited. The situation highlighted the need for better support and resources to handle such incidents.
Discussion on Threats of Violence and Park Security (01:27:39)
Officials discuss threats of violence posted online and the response from law enforcement, focusing on public safety in parks.

The meeting discusses threats of violence that have been posted online against specific individuals and public places such as parks. Officials talk about the challenges in addressing these threats, especially with the use of fake names on social media and limited resources. They mention that while threats against schools are taken very seriously, there is a concern about ensuring safety in parks as well.
Strategies for Park Safety and Operations Over Holiday Weekend (01:30:39)
Officials consider strategies to ensure park safety during a holiday weekend, including potentially reducing hours or increasing staffing.

The discussion revolves around maintaining park safety during an upcoming holiday weekend. Suggestions include reducing park hours, increasing staff presence, and ensuring that visitors are aware of park rules. The importance of keeping parks open while ensuring public safety is emphasized.
Concerns About Disc Golf League and Enforcement of Park Rules (01:39:00)
Issues with the disc golf league, including rule enforcement and threats, are discussed, with decisions on restricting the league's access to the park.

The discussion highlights problems with a disc golf league that has been using the park for years. Concerns include rule violations and threats made by league members. The officials discuss the history of rule enforcement, the league's perception of their rights, and the need to enforce regulations fairly. The decision is made to restrict the league's access to the park for the rest of the year due to these issues.
Operational Protocols for Park Closing and Staffing (01:54:30)
The meeting addresses the protocols for closing the park and the presence of staff, especially in light of safety concerns.

The discussion covers the protocols for closing the park and the presence of staff, especially during times of heightened safety concerns. Questions are raised about staff responsibilities, communication of park closing times, and ensuring that visitors comply with park rules. The challenges of enforcing these protocols during busy weekends are noted.
Discussion on Park Closure and Security Measures (01:55:30)
Discussion focused on the potential closure of the park due to safety concerns and the need for security measures. Options included hiring private security or coordinating with local law enforcement.

The meeting addressed the safety concerns at the park, particularly over the upcoming weekend. Due to recent incidents and threats, there was a proposal to close the park for Thursday through Sunday unless security could be arranged. Suggestions included reaching out to neighboring departments for short-term contracts or hiring private security. However, the use of funds for private security was questioned. The need for a long-term solution was emphasized, and discussions included the authority of the supervisor to make emergency purchases. There was agreement on the necessity of additional security presence to deter incidents, though concerns were raised about the effectiveness and legal constraints of private security compared to law enforcement. The discussion revealed the complexity of the situation, including funding issues and the challenge of finding qualified ordinance officers. It was noted that similar issues were faced by other townships, indicating a broader problem with local law enforcement support.
Discussion on Park Security and Operations (02:24:26)
Discussion about the issues with park security, including complaints, staff safety, and potential solutions such as hiring security or closing the park.

The discussion involved various aspects of park management and security, with particular focus on Robert Morris Park. It was noted that there are constant complaints and issues with the park's operations, particularly concerning staff safety and the park's functioning. The commissioners discussed options such as closing the park temporarily, hiring security, and the challenges of enforcing rules without county support. There was a mention of Supervisor Martin being involved due to a filed police report concerning safety threats. Katie was given authority to decide on closing the park or keeping it open without staff based on the situation, and there was a focus on the urgency of the situation given the upcoming holiday weekend.
Motion to Authorize Park Security Measures (02:34:09)
Motion passed to authorize Katie to negotiate with Supervisor Martin about hiring security for the park and making necessary operational decisions.

A motion was made and passed to authorize Katie to discuss with Supervisor Martin the possibility of hiring security for the upcoming weekend at the park. The motion also granted Katie the authority to make decisions regarding closing the park or operating it without staff as necessary. This decision was based on ensuring staff safety and managing the park effectively during the holiday period. The motion emphasized the need for flexibility in response to changing circumstances.
Adjournment (02:36:53)
The meeting was adjourned without objections after the motion for park security measures was passed.

Following the passage of the motion concerning park security and operations, a motion to adjourn the meeting was made. There were no objections, and the meeting was formally adjourned. This concluded the discussions and decisions for this session.