KANE — After addressing Kane Borough Council on Monday, Kim Cecchetti of Lights for Evergreen and Sonia Anderson-Costanzo of the Kane Area Recreational and Cultural Commission, spoke to the Kane Parks Commission on Wednesday about vandalism in Evergreen Park and future collaboration between the recreational and cultural commission and the parks group.
Cecchetti spoke of the vandalism in Kane’s landmark park on Chestnut Street. She said there have been incidents of holiday lights being broken and light strings cut, fires set in the gazebo and the restrooms, and even a tree cut down. She has noted trash strewn about the park also, and has had enough.
Cecchetti spoke to the parks commission about the need to purchase security cameras for the park. She thinks the cameras would deter the vandalism.
“They’re going to know we’re watching them,” Cecchetti said.
Borough Manager Don Payne thought it would be a good idea, particularly so high definition pictures of the perpetrators could be obtained and studied by borough police. Payne suggested Internet-based cameras placed in various points around the park would be one possible solution.
Cecchetti believes most of those participating in the vandalism are in their mid-to-late teens and usually come from homes where at least of one of the parents are missing. However, board member Nelson Aponte thought some of those responsible could be part of an “older, unsavory element in town” who are out at night.
“Those who don’t have a job and nothing to do,” Aponte said.
Cecchetti thinks those responsible should be required to do community service upon being captured. She said if something is not done quickly, the vandalism will continue to escalate.
Payne said since the budget is now passed, the purchase of the cameras can now be considered. Councilman Denny Drost would like to have the security cameras for the park posted on the borough website.
Cecchetti noted most children are good. She recalled one instance when she and her husband, Bill, were approached by a group of teens who wanted to play hackey sack in the gazebo. When the Cecchettis told them they could, one of the teens told them who cut their lights last year.
Drost agreed with Cecchetti’s approach, and said if you “talk to kids nice, kids will watch out for kids,” and self-police themselves.
Councilwoman Janet Bard added if you “make them your friends before you need them,” they may be more inclined to help with projects around the park. Bard said when they help with these projects, teens take ownership.
Meanwhile, Anderson-Costanzo said the Recreational and Cultural Commission was “all game” in finding grants to help fund her organization.
Anderson-Costanzo said the group is willing to contribute, and one project the organization may undertake is working on the section of the Knox-Kane rail trail which would run through the borough.
Parks commission chairman Ned Karger is expected to be put on the agenda for the KARCC’s January meeting to discuss other ways the two groups can collaborate.
Kane Borough Council initially declined donating any money to the Recreational and Cultural Commission, with Bard leading the charge saying they already had enough money in their coffers. However, as the meeting wore on, Bard softened her position saying perhaps the borough should give the organization another shot.
Anyone interested in helping Lights for Evergreen raise money for the cameras can visit their GoFundMe page athttps://www.gofundme.com/j8f4a8p8.
The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Kane Area Community Center.
