Published: June 16, 2008 11:55 am      

Oakland park vandalism concerns police

OAKLAND - The limitations of the Oakland Police to enforce problems in Broadford Lake Park has become a concern as vandalism in the park has increased.

"There are some things we need to start enforcing, like trespassing," Jay Moyer, Town Council member, said. "We could begin doing spot checks for day or season passes ... The vandalism and theft is getting big. Just recently, the sound system was taken out."

Because the park belongs to the town of Oakland but is situated in the municipality of Mountain Lake Park, the Garrett County Sheriff's Office has enforced any problems that occur there.

Sheriff Gary Berkebile explained to the county commissioners at their Tuesday meeting that his office has the right to request the town cover any problems at Broadford Park, but the town police do not have the jurisdiction to cover any issues in the park without his office involved.

He said there could be positive and negative aspects to the town taking over the jurisdiction of the park, and he suggested before the commissioners make any decisions on this, they speak to both the county attorney and to Mountain Lake Park officials.

Berkebile said he felt this decision was best left to the county commissioners and was not his office's to make.

Moyer said he felt that if the commissioners decided to allow the town to have authority over that area, he expected Mountain Lake Park would as well.

Berkebile said if the town of Oakland takes over patrols of the park, it would only increase the police presence in the area, as the sheriff's office would still have authority there as in the rest of the county.

"I'm somewhat familiar with the restrictions the town of Oakland has in enforcing issues in Broadford Park," Commissioner Ernie Gregg said. "I'd like to see Oakland be able to take over."

Gregg said he felt it was best to talk to the county attorney to ensure any arrests or charges made at the park would hold up in court. He said he felt that if there was any question over the town's authority there, a defense attorney could use that to get a suspect out of all charges.

The commissioners agreed to ask their attorney how best to go about this and about the legality of putting the park under the town of Oakland.

Contact Sarah Moses at smoses@times-news.com.