As residents embark on an effort to “take back” Galloway Park, the Brundidge police chief is asking for the public’s help in enforcing the ban on alcohol at the park.

Brundidge Police Chief Moses Davenport said his officers patrol the park on a regular basis but need assistance from patrons of the park in enforcing the no-alcohol regulations at the park.

“That’s not to say that we are asking patrons of the park to intervene in any situations,” Davenport said. “But we can’t be there all the time. So, if any patron of the park or anyone in the neighborhood sees anything they think should not be going on, they should call the police department and let us know. They don’t have to give their names, just let us know and we’ll respond.”

Residents gathered at the park on Saturday for  “Take Back Our Park,” an event focused on improving safety at the public park and addressing concerns over loitering, alcohol use, drug use and the physical condition of the park. Galloway Park has a playground for children, a community center and basketball courts, tennis courts and ball field.

“Our first concern is that Galloway Park has become a hangout where people are drinking, doing drugs, using foul language and really making the park their place instead of place for kids to play and families to enjoy,” said Corri Bailey, who helped organize the event.

The chief said those almost any Sunday or Monday morning the beer cans in the trashcans at Galloway Park are evidence of drinking at the park.

“Galloway Park is an open park,” Davenport said. “It’s for adults just like it is for children. And people go where their friends are, so people do gather up at the park at times.

“But when I pull up or one of our officers pulls up, they’ll have their drinks in cups so it’s a difficult situation. Now, I’m not making excuses. Don’t think for a minute that I condone what’s going on, I’m just saying the way it is.”

Davenport said the park closes at dark so there should be no activity at the park after sundown unless there is an event at the park’s community center.

“When there’s an event at the Galloway Park community building, then people have to be inside or they are gone,” Davenport said.

“We’ll continue to patrol the park and we’ll patrol in unmarked vehicles, too. Also, I’m asking, for the assistance of patrons of the park in letting us know of any activity that seems suspicious and we’ll respond. The Brundidge Police Department takes pride in what we do and, if we fall short sometimes, it’s not deliberate. We are dedicated to keeping Galloway Park and all of Brundidge safe.”

The number to call to report any concerns or suspicious activity is 735-3333.