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.