Missouri River Regional Library to crack down on unruly park visitors

Missouri River Regional Library workers say they have seen an increase in unruly behavior at the library’s park.

Workers say they began noticing in increase early this summer. They say they used to handle all situations themselves, but now are asking police for help.

“It’s getting to the point now where we don’t want to put any of the staff in danger. Safety is our first concern,” said library director Helen Rigdon.

She says recent events at the park have been getting worse.

“They’ve had some fights, some intoxicated individuals, and then some vandalism,” she said.

Rigdon says most fights tend to happen at night, but they have had problems even in the daytime hours.

One park regular says her serenity has been shattered by others’ activities and loud arguments in the park.

“You kind of wonder for your safety sometimes,” said Michelle Colstion.

Jefferson City police are making regular visits to the park and removing anyone who is not following park rules.

However, not everyone supports the library’s crackdown.

Annie Smith was kicked out of the park Thursday because the group she was with was practicing gymnastics movies and was too loud. She said that was not reason enough to be removed from the park and library officials are being too harsh.

“It’s a free country, like, other people, kids, play around, but if you want to hang out with your friends or you’re doing something on the laptop, so I don’t understand about them, so I was just like forget them,” she said.