Venice’s Service Park has turned into an area for drunks, men fondling themselves, and campers.  Why?

 

 

From: Rosie
Sent: Monday, September 28, 2020 9:50:32 AM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: Unusual Activities at Service Club Park 1190 Harbor Drive S.
Venice City Mayor Feinsod, Vice Mayor Newsom, Councilmember Cautero, Council Member Fiedler, Council Member Moore, Council Member Neunder, Councilmember Pachota,

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this email, relating to some recent activities I have witnessed at the Service Club Park of which I believe will be of concern to you.  On five occasions these past weeks, I have seen:
  1. In the morning, a man passed out leaning up against the restroom exterior wall either high or intoxicated. A Sarasota employee maintaining the park attempted to wake the individual unsuccessfully.  This individual looked to have soiled himself.
  2. A young man with a camping/ trekker size backpack go into the seagrass area in the evening as I watched the sunset with other visitors and come out onto the beach ramp the next morning.
  3. Four men grilling near the volleyball nets intoxicated or high and one man making lewd sexual comments to me as I walked by.  I called the police for this incident this weekend.
  4. A man fondling himself in a picnic table/ covered walk-out in the covered picnic table walk-out behind me while using his phone to possibly film or take photos of this activity.

 

I am writing to you about these incidents because I am concerned that the Service Club Park is seen by the visitors mentioned above as an easy place to camp overnight, use the facilities, and possibly reside.  I am additionally concerned because children and older senior adults who may not always have the ability to physically protect themselves use this park frequently.  I am beginning to feel uneasy and not entirely safe when I visit the park alone.   I also feel unsafe having my twelve-year-old son and his friends go to the restroom without my husband, who may not be always be joining us at the beach.

 

I would like to thank you for taking the time to address these concerns and look for solutions to keep this beautiful park in our beautiful city safe.  I have noticed an increase in police presence at the parks and we really appreciate it.  Perhaps more may be needed at this time.  Please let me know if there is anything that I or my family can do to be part of this solution; I am happy to help in any way that I can.

 

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank each of you for the time and effort that you provide to keep Venice, Florida an absolutely amazing place to live!

 

Kind regards,
Rosie