WEIRTON - Weirton City Council, on Monday, heard from some concerns residents about issues in the city's downtown, including problems with damage to private property and a neighborhood park.
Resident Florence Donley was among those in attendance, speaking in regard to the playground on Brookline Street.
"It has been a horrible year at the park," she said. "It is a breeding place for hoodlums and druggies. I personally have been a victim of home invasion and my car has been trashed. I come home to see my screens pushed up in my windows as if someone were trying to break in. I have also been hit in the head with a rock by these kids. Something needs to be done."
An additional downtown resident, Brent Hildreth, also spoke to council regarding the neighborhood.
"I have seen my neighborhood degrade over the past 10 years," the Elm Street resident stated. "I have personally had to stop fist fights as well as 2- and 3-year-old kids from getting hit by cars because their parents weren't watching them."
"All I hear all day long is kids grabbing sticks at the park and beating them off of the guard rail. There are lots of kids left unchaperoned at the playground by my house. They have also been meandering on the streets and harassing the older residents."
Council encouraged residents who see problems arise to call the police and to keep calling the police until the problem is resolved.
