By Dennis Box

The Courier-Herald

The bright sun and hot weather brought sunseekers, boats and crime to Allan Yorke Park last week.

With schools out and temperatures in the 80s and 90s, the park was jammed with people of all ages, most looking for fun, but some intent on raising trouble, according to interim Police Chief Buster McGehee.

&#8220We are getting people from everywhere,” McGehee said. &#8220The problems are sporadic, but they seem to increase after 2 p.m., after everyone wakes up.”

The chief said officers are having problems with groups of kids from Bonney Lake, Sumner and Auburn gathering and fighting, smoking and selling marijuana and vandalizing.

While teenagers and young adults are causing much of the crime at the park, there are problems with adults and alcohol.

&#8220We've had some problems with adults getting upset with teenagers and they start yelling at them,” McGehee said. &#8220We want people to come and enjoy themselves. We want this park to have a family atmosphere.”

The chief said more officers have been assigned to patrol the park, and &#8220the sergeants have the authority to call extra back up whenever they need it.”

McGehee said the department is taking a serious stance against disorderly conduct.

&#8220We take their picture and trespass them off city property,” McGehee said. &#8220They're told not to come back for a year. We are putting their picture in a database.”

Crime problems at Allan Yorke Park are nothing new. Last year when the weather heated up crime did as well.

&#8220We get tough on crime right away,” McGehee said. &#8220They're going to go to jail. We want people to be able to come to this park and enjoy themselves.”