Statement released from Chief Melanie Griswold:
I want to take a moment to address some of the shocking social media conversations and comments that appear to be concerning parents regarding suspicious incidents in Ryckman Park. I have read all of the 126 comments on this social platform and found some of them irresponsible.
On 11/4/2020, A parent reported suspicious activity in Ryckman Park that actually occurred on the previous day involving young children. After an investigation and reviewing the video footage, there was no evidence of any forceful abduction or any criminal activity. Instead, what was seen on the video were parents congregating around a bench in conversation and children playing as you would expect to see in a Park.
On 6/9/2021, Our police department was contacted through our dispatch regarding a suspicious incident in Ryckman Park. Officers responded and attempted to locate an 8-9-year-old child that was, according to the caller, “he tries to lurer them through the fence through a missing board.” The caller did not want to make contact with the police and had left the area. Officers conducted an investigation and could not locate a child matching the description and did not see any suspicious activity in the park or around the fenced-in area that houses equipment belonging to our Public Works Department.