Residents urge cameras at Macalester Park after daytime smash‑and‑grab; downtown sidewalk clearing also raised
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Summary
A resident described a daytime smash‑and‑grab at Macalester Park and urged a visible security camera; other residents asked for neighborhood meetings and stronger enforcement of sidewalk snow‑clearing rules to keep downtown welcoming for shoppers.
During the public‑comment period, several Lafayette residents raised public‑safety and quality‑of‑life concerns.
Corey Cunningham (100 Bryn Mawr Court) said he and another person were victims of a daylight smash‑and‑grab on Nov. 23 at Macalester Park (the former city golf course) and urged the city to install a visible security camera in the park parking lot as a deterrent. Cunningham suggested coordination between banks/credit card companies and law enforcement to flag stolen‑card activity to jurisdictions as a possible enforcement aid. He framed the thefts as part of a broader national problem but urged local action as one mitigation step.
Another speaker, identifying herself as Pearl, thanked the council for recent cleanup efforts, urged the council to hold a neighborhood meeting within the next three months so residents who cannot travel downtown can participate, and raised code‑enforcement concerns about a specific property.
Susan Schechter (1001 Ferry Street) described difficulties for pedestrians when downtown sidewalks are left uncleared after snow and asked the council to explain enforcement mechanisms for sidewalk‑clearing ordinances; she noted Saturday shopping was hindered by uncleared sidewalks and suggested enforcement options similar to weed control (having the city clear and add the cost to property taxes if owners do not act).
Councilors listened to the comments; the meeting record does not show immediate policy responses or new directives during the session.