Buffalo city parks may get a curfew

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Is it time to call it a night in Buffalo city parks? A curfew might be in the works.

Suzette Garner comes to Schiller Park in Buffalo every day. Besides watching her 8-year-old son practice football, she does not like what she sees.

"The upkeep is not up to par at all. You're seeing field rats and things like that," said Garner.

Here's an example of what she's talking about. One empty plastic bottle after another. Vulgar graffiti on a building. Common Council Majority Leader Richard Fontana finds himself cleaning up after other people when he's trying to have family time.

"We're always picking up glass, picking up all kinds of materials that should not be at the parks," said Fontana.

So he's proposing a curfew on all city parks. He wants them to close by dusk.

Fontana said, "If you're in the park and it's dark, you should not be there."

Buffalo resident Antonio Patton said, "If it's going to make the parks safer, if it's going to make the neighborhood safer."

Rudy Cox comes to Delaware Park several times a week, but he can only come after work.

"I wouldn't be too happy about it. I guess I'd have to find somewhere else to get my run and walk in," said Cox.

Delaware Park is maintained pretty well, but it's also had its share of problems. Back in July, several teens assaulted a man who was inline skating. Seven years ago, a woman was raped in the park.

"Should no kid be out here in the dark, like you got these little leagues out here. These are the young kids, they need to be at home," said Garner.

Councilmember Fontana said he will discuss the curfew with the Common Council at the next council meeting on Tuesday, September 14. He said he wants to do more work on the proposal before putting it to a vote, which will likely happen next month.