As a 26-year-old former inline skater, I must say I was rather thrilled at the idea of a new, state-of-the-art skate park being built just minutes from my home. Since the beginning of spring, I have spent the majority of my free time in the small gated corner of Kennedy Park, directly across the street form the Lewiston Police Department, an area one would assume to be relatively free of crime.

I guess mother was right when she said it’s never safe to assume anything, nor is it safe to hang out in Kennedy Park.

It seems like every day I see verbal altercations, sometimes involving 20 or more people that could, and in some cases have, escalate to a violent level. In most cases, the verbal attacks last upward of 15-20 minutes and could be heard a block away – plenty of time for the local authorities to make there presence known and defuse the situation. Alas, not one level-headed adult (aside from, maybe, myself) makes any effort to curb the violence before it gets nasty.

I understand law enforcement has better things to do than babysit for parents who let their children run around unsupervised, but when it gets to the level where the youth of our town are in immediate danger from themselves or others, something must be done.

Police or parents should stop by and make their presence known. Sideline the problem before it gets any worse.

Jeff Purcell, Lewiston