Bike path loitering addressed
By Kathy McCarty
PRESQUE ISLE — Concerns over individuals loitering along a section of the bike path adjacent to the parking lot on Griffin Street has resulted in the removal of trees and other vegetation, making the area clearly visible from the street and a less desirable gathering spot.
The Presque Isle Police Department received a request Oct. 5 from a representative of Bernard Coury Realty, broker for the Railroad Pension Fund — owner of the property — requesting something be done to prevent people from congregating along that section of the bike path. Authorization was given to the PIPD “to cut down the clump of trees directly behind the high school parking lot that encompasses a 50-foot by 50-foot area where individuals hang out before and after school hours,” according to a statement given to the department by the representative.
“We were asked to clear vegetation along a section of the bike path. We complied, making the section of path clearly visible from the street. This will help alleviate the problem of people gathering there before and after school hours,” said Sgt. Joey Seeley, PIPD.
Seeley said the path is for all to enjoy but when groups gathered there, it made it difficult for passersby to navigate that section of path. Removing the trees was necessary to resolve the problem.
