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September 9, 2008

Haverhill police step up late-night patrols at park

Mike LaBella

HAVERHILL — It’s a gem of Mother Nature — hundreds of wooded acres around Kenoza Lake, capped off by a castle on the hill above.

It’s also a magnet for late-night and early morning visitors, neighbors said, perhaps teenagers looking for a place to party.

Neighbors of Winnekenni Park, off Route 110, are calling for the city to shoo away those nighttime visitors. They have reported seeing vehicles drive into the park late at night when there are no events taking place at the castle.

City Councilor Mary Ellen Daly O’Brien said she has been contacted by neighbors. She plans to discuss their concerns when the council meets tonight at 7 in City Hall.

“I’ve received complaints from residents who see cars going up the road to the castle when there are no events happening and they are very concerned,” Daly O’Brien said. “They’ve done such a fabulous job revamping the castle that I don’t want to see anything happen to it.”

The castle is a center of social life in Haverhill, where weddings and other events take place.

O’Brien said the late-night visitors have been noticed throughout the summer — as late as 1 a.m.

“This activity really stands out. It’s really dark up there,” Daly O’Brien said.

She said she plans to ask police to increase their late-night patrols of the park.

“I know it’s just one more concern. Our police have to address so many other things,” Daly O’Brien said.

Tricia McNeil, one of the castle’s caretakers, said the castle grounds have been very quiet at night except for late-night visits by police on patrol.

“We haven’t experienced any vandalism or other acts,” McNeil said. “Maybe these cars are pulling into the bottom of the park and are not coming up the road to the castle. Occasionally a car parks in the castle’s parking lot and we keep an eye on them. There have been plenty of times I’ve seen a cruiser come up and drive around late at night.”

Deputy police Chief Donald Thompson said the park was a trouble spot years ago, but he has no recent reports of unusual activity late at night.

“If there are any issues at the park that I’m not aware of, we’ll check things out,” Thompson said. “We do patrol the park at night, depending on how busy our patrol officers are.”

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