LinksAnd References

Media Engagement

First interview with Jacky

https://www.wowt.com/content/news/Group-aims-to-stop-illegal-dumping-in-Mandan-Park-510342181.html

Channel 7 News

https://www.ketv.com/article/volunteers-nonprofits-team-up-to-clean-up-mandan-park/36217483?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot

World Herald Pace article

"Police group PACE plans new trails for running, biking programs in scenic South Omaha parks | Local News | omaha.com"

https://omaha.com/news/local/police-group-pace-plans-new-trails-for-running-biking-programs-in-scenic-south-omaha-parks/article_a2828a7d-9cd4-59c6-9238-6a3aebd81641.amp.html

KOB Friends of Mandan Park and Mount Vernon Gardens Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/KOB-Friends-of-Mandan-Park-and-Mount-Vernon-Gardens-102014391903155/

@FriendsOfMandanPark

10 Omaha places to take the family on a picnic by Jaclyn Pitt No. 9 Mandan Park

Jul 22, 2014 "There are a handful of prime locations throughout town to gather your family around a table of food, smiles and imminent memories."

Where: 6221 S. 13th St.

What makes it fun: Mandan Park has playgrounds, restroom, drinking fountains and a scenic view overlooking the Missouri River.

Where to sit: North of the park there are eight picnic tables and south of the park there are six picnic tables.

https://omaha.com/lifestyles/parenting/10-omaha-places-to-take-the-family-on-a-picnic/article_88bc2a4e-0dc2-11e4-8687-001a4bcf6878.html

https://northomahahistory.com/2015/10/05/a-history-of-the-proposed-river-drive-in-omaha/

Friends of Mandan Park is requesting a grant for security cameras at both ends of Mandan Park to address and help curtail illegal activity in the park, i.e., dumping, prostitution, and drug dealing.

Friends of Mandan Park has removed years' worth of debris including tires, furniture, bottles and other trash from Mandan Park over the past 3 years. With the help of patrollers and the police, we have seen a decline in much of the illegal activity although dumping still occurs. Cameras will help detect large items like 10 + tires in the back of trucks or furniture that is very difficult, time consuming and costly to the city to even pick up after our group removes it from the forest and deep ravines where it is often dumped. It has become apparent to all of us involved in trying to stop the dumping that this happens so quickly it is nearly impossible to stop it without 24 hour surveillance at both ends of the park.

We've included pictures and a location map, depicting the areas where we feel the cameras would do the most good, and a presentation of what these cameras would see.

At the south end, a camera on an existing pole would cover all access to the park. It would oversee the ball diamond, the children's playground, one of the pavilions and the porta potty area. These are areas we have seen families come back to again. In the past this area has been troubled by drug dealers, occasional gangs, people living in abandoned vehicles, homeless walking just past this area and setting up a homeless camp, random gun fire, as well as a lot of prostitution. We all feel that a camera in this location would help solidify a sense of security for families with children, oversee the largest chunk of amenities in the park and aid in policing.

A camera at the north end, facing into the park, would monitor large items coming into the park and cut down on prostitution and drug dealing occurring at the north parking lot, which has been a trouble spot due to the difficulty of monitoring it 24 hours a day. Combined, these two cameras should make illegal dumping of any sizable nature nearly impossible, saving city time, expenses and police efforts, as well as making families with children feel safe.

Friends of Mandan Park thanks everyone for their help in the rejuvenation of Mandan Park

Stephen Bolgar

KOB Friends of Mandan Park

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