Park lights on, bridge lights off. Photos lightened a bit to show some detail.
By Paul Goldfinger, text and photos.
Last night, during a light rain, I was down at Founders’ Park. For those of you not familiar with the location, the park is on the OG side of the Wesley Lake bridge which is closest to the ocean.
Twilight was ending, and the lights had come on around the park. But the lighting does not illuminate the place very well. It seems foreboding because of the dearth of people, the concerns about crime in the Grove, and the dark shadows all around. Except for me, making some photographs of the crime risk situation down there, no one else was around. As it became even darker, I began to worry a bit, but we had to get those end-of-day shots.
A Neptune Township Police Special Officer soon walked by and then vanished on his beat. I relaxed for those few minutes. Then there I was, alone again, waiting for a little more darkness. Eileen had dinner waiting, so that added a bit to the pressure to leave.
Lights were twinkling over at the condos on the Asbury side, and the bridge lights were still out (Evidently JCP&L hadn’t yet responded to the complaints). You could see the white swan boats glowing faintly on the Asbury side, all huddled together, as if they were worried as well.
Swans huddle together for the night.
As I adjusted my camera for the lack of light, I heard a sound—-voices—coming from across the park behind me. I turned slowly: there were three people about 25 yards away, coming in my direction along the path to the bridge. I couldn’t see any details, but they walked with the style of young men, and each one was wearing a hooded sweatshirt pulled up over his head. One hoodie was white while the other two were dark. I thought, “This could go badly, and it’s three against one!” I silently berated myself for being there, but it’s Ocean Grove, not the south Bronx. “This is ridiculous,” I thought.
Just then a car pulled into a space across the way. I thought, “Oh good—a witness.” But the driver got out, did not even look up, he just walked briskly up onto his porch and into the house.
I then felt fear; they were coming closer. I turned towards my car, which was around the corner, and I walked quickly to the edge of the park. The three guys walked past without a glance in my direction. I took a few frames of them as they entered the bridge. Then I got into the car and went safely home.
Look carefully to see the 3 guys walking harmlessly onto the bridge. Note the unlit bridge light.
The tone of all this discussion is quite disheartening, Ocean Grove is tiny and there should be no place that is unsafe in fact or perception. If there were such a place, the lighting should be improved, a police camera should be installed, and the Police/Citizen’s Patrol should single it out for extra attention. A systematic statistical analysis of reported crime/complaints by location would reveal locations that need special attention (e.g., car break-ins, bike thefts, begging).
Criminals will come into the Grove unless they are made to feel unwelcome and/or they perceive that there is meaningful risk in committing crime here. While I am only informed by this blog (thank you Paul), it seems like there are dozens of crimes committed per month but it is very rare that we ever hear of an arrest.
Ken, I’m glad you had many safe years in NYC without being mugged or threatened with a weapon. I wish I could say the same about my NYC experience.
While using common sense and not putting yourself in harm’s way makes sense, there are circumstances that are out of one’s control, and this is what scares me. OG citizens have the right to walk on well-lighted streets and pathways, and to feel safe in our town. Several years ago, in separate incidents, my husband and I were hustled for money close to our OG house, just as we exited our cars. Experiences like this are unsettling and one of the reasons I often choose to stay inside after dark in the off season. This isn’t what I had in mind when we moved here!
When on 9-11 Citizens Patrol we slowly drive by Founders Park’s east and south sides, Central and Surf and if anything looks awry, also the west side by turning north on Pilgrim, making a U-turn at the footbridge.
This is a lovely park with a historical urn and fountain. Also the OG Beautification Project plants around the fountain and the urn. I am very aware that the Historical Society does not have the money to restore the fountain. But can’t there be a more aesthetically pleasing way to fence off the fountain than an ugly bright orange plastic fence? This temporary fencing really distracts from the whole beauty of the fountain and the park. Even beach/dune grey wooden fencing would be more appealing until they get the funds to restore this beautiful historical fountain.
In summer, Founders Park is a wonderful place for the little kids to play. On the other hand, it is a thoroughfare to Asbury Park used by some un-savory looking visitors. There have been numerous late night activities there that have required police attention. Most residents who live nearby take care, after dark, when using the paths to Asbury Ave. as well as the footbridge.
Tom — The Citizens Patrol patrols by car all over town every night, including Founders Park. There are volunteers out seven nights a week between the hours of 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. Each shift of volunteers follows its own inclinations about where to drive. My own method (I’m a volunteer) is to try to pass down every block of every street at least once during my two-hour shift. I almost always pass by Founders Park at least twice during my shift. I imagine the other volunteers follow roughly the same procedure.
Tom: The officer, who was patrolling alone, said that the bridge area is was part of his usual routine. During the course of about one hour, he appeared twice at that location. I will try to find out about the Citizen Patrol question.
Is that area a part of the citizens patrol regular beat?
I am not advocating putting any volunteer in harms way but
maybe this is an area that would benefit from a stronger presence.
I’m glad you explained where the park is, since the only ones that use the park are the dog walkers, and those cutting through to get to Asbury. No benches to sit on, no lighting, a bit of wasted space, no one uses the park! I wish they would continue Central Ave, looping it around toward the left, and connect it to Asbury Ave, next to the empty condos…at least we’d have a turn around from Central Ave. It looks like there used to be a road there? That could help the summer parking problem also…
There is an eerie or foreboding feel to Founder’s Park at night during the off season. The orange glow from the lamps, the unoccupied condo complex and empty cottages, the poorly lit sidewalk known as Lake Avenue, crumbling retaining wall, dark footbridge, etc. As of 8 this evening, the lights are still out.
An aside: A summer friend once called it the ‘goose (expletive) park’ because she didn’t know the real name and that is all she ever saw happening there.
My first reaction (as someone who lived in the South Bronx from 1934 to 1966) to your account was: “how stupid could you be, pointing your camera at them and snapping pictures?” But when you wrote they were entering the bridge, which meant they were coming from Ocean Grove, I realized you were unduly alarmed. For 50+ years I lived or worked in NYC and never was mugged or threatened with a weapon. Being “street-wise” (using common sense) means NOT ever putting yourself in a position that might not be safe.