According to KMOV-TV, St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson responded to criticisms on how officers handled drivers cruising through Fairground Park during Memorial Day weekend.
21st Ward Alderman Antonio French voiced his disdain for the method via social media and in an interview with KMOV.
“Why police a park when you can just shut it down,” French said via twitter as a caption for an image of barricades in front of Fairground Park.
“On Memorial Day weekend, police have closed Fairground Park and are requiring ID and proof of insurance to enter O’Fallon. Not What I asked for,” French tweeted.
While barricades deterred many from going in to the park at all, Dotson says his department has been using the strategy for five years to deter crime.
“Young people look for things to do, and so sometimes social media brings them together. When they come together, large groups of people, sometimes it overwhelms the neighborhood,” Dotson told KMOV.
He said the measures are aimed at allowing other residents to enjoy the park.
Information from KMOV.com contributed to this report.
