CORNWALL – The Cornwall Police Service and the City of Cornwall are collectively stepping up enforcement in Lamoureux Park at the bandshell in the wake of a stabbing in May.
The popular summer spot in the Water Street park has become a haven for teenagers hanging out at all hours of the day and night. The problem is after dark when damage and destruction occurs.
“The CPS has received several reports throughout May and June alleging the occurrence of property-related crimes, including thefts and mischiefs, involving youth,” police spokesman Stephanie MacRae said in a statement to Cornwall Newswatch.
Since early May, the CPS has had more officers circling the bandshell and additional closed-circuit cameras (CCTV) have been installed.
The City of Cornwall has put up no trespassing signs in order to give police the teeth to move the teens along during the night. The no trespass hours are 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. except when special events are happening in the park.
“While we always want to encourage teenagers to be active and enjoy public areas such as Lamoureux Park, the safety of our youth and the safety of the public is the priority,” Inspector Chad Maxwell of the Field Operations Division told Newswatch. “The CPS is working diligently with the City of Cornwall to keep the area safe, deter criminal activity, and ensure that all residents can enjoy Lamoureux Park.”
Workers with the city’s parks and recreation department have been cleaning up quantities of overturned trash and that additional work is coming as an added expense of local taxpayers.
“We have worked in partnership with the Cornwall Police Service and three cameras have been installed at the bandshell. The bandshell is a focal point in our community, and we want to ensure it remains safe and accessible to all,” said Janice Robinson, the facility rental coordinator for the City of Cornwall and in charge of issues at the bandshell.
As for the 16-year-old stabbing suspect, he will be back in a Cornwall court July 18. He is charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, possession of a dangerous weapon and carrying a concealed weapon after another teen was knifed several times. The victim survived the attack.