These images appear to show litter strewn across Southgate Plaza’s parking lot.
(GAUNCE FOR GLASGOW/FACEBOOK)
GLASGOW, Ky. – After several attempts to contain unlawful and unruly behavior, the owners of an area parking lot are promising to crack down on loitering activities.
Southgate Plaza, located along S.L. Rogers Wells Boulevard in Glasgow, is a popular “hangout” for some area youth. But the parking lot has become a concern for its owners.
Patrick Gaunce, a Glasgow City councilperson and son of the lot’s owner, said concerns grew after a recent instance of vandalism at the lot. An indecent image was spray painted in the area, and several beer bottles and litter were scattered across the lot.
“They picked up about 80-some beer bottles and about two 55-gallon bags of trash,” Gaunce said.
The individual who painted the image was identified, a source said.
But it’s not all youth that hangs around the parking lot. And those that do say many teens attempt to keep the area clean.
“I think it’s kind of unfair that the teens are being targeted when we’re not the only ones that hang out there,” said Caitlyn Smith, a teenager who hangs out with friends at Southgate. “I know people that are older that hang out there that throw their beer cans in the parking lot. I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”
Smith said she has picked up trash in the past and placed it in bins at the shopping center and has placed trash in her vehicle to dispose of at home.
The Glasgow Police Department said they’ve recently seen an uptick in criminal mischief complaints regarding the lot.
“We have more than just that one parking lot that we get complaints on,” said Glasgow Police Public Information Officer Terry Flatt. “However, we have received a few complaints there here recently.”
Flatt said other areas across the city, like other lots and parks, often complain of loitering and some vandalism.
“We’re trying to help out the property owners. The city obviously owns the parks. Rural King – they own their parking lot. Walmart owns their parking lot.” Flatt said. “Like I said, we get numerous complaints around the city. It’s not just confined to Southgate Plaza.”
Harold Armstrong, Glasgow mayor, said issues at Southgate Plaza began months ago when people were asked to leave but resorted to another lot like Rural King or Walmart. However, he said he understands that the lot owners are more displeased in the mess than loitering.
“It’s that way in any big parking lot, regardless,” Armstrong said.
Armstrong said he authorized the police chief to coordinate with the shopping center’s efforts to discourage loitering and criminal mischief. The shopping center plans to hire off-duty officers to watch over the lot.
“I’ve called the police, and I’ve called the mayor,” Gaunce said. “They’re working on it, and we’re going to have some more stringent patrol – even if we have to pay for it.”
Glasgow Police Chief Jennifer Arbogast said an arrest was made at Southgate last weekend, and some areas like the parking garage downtown have been places of concern.
Several areas around the city have been sources of complaints due to recent mischief. In fact, people were urinating, leaving condoms and panties and trash at the parking garage. That comes atop the litter at places like Southgate.
“We still, regardless, have to cover all the parking lots,” Arbogast said. “I don’t want this to get out and them to think ‘they’re covering all their time there, so Rural King is going to get hit. Or Walmart is going to get hit.’ We still have to be every place.”
The shopping center’s owners are Wayne Gaunce and Nell Houchens, according to Arbogast and Armstrong. The two requested that police clear the lot of loiterers.
“Here’s the thing, these people don’t care if you sit there,” Arbogast said. “But now they’ve ruined it for everybody else – the ones who have come in and destroyed the property.
“They don’t want people in their parking lot,” Arbogast said. “They don’t want you gathering, talking, nothing.”
Since the property is private, the owners dictate how people interact with it. Arbogast said her department will enforce laws relating to mischief and loitering.
“If we tell you not to be there and you come back, we’re going to cite you,” Arbogast said. “If the infractions happen in our presence, we will cite.”
And it doesn’t matter who is at the lot, Arbogast said.
“I don’t care who it is. I don’t care who you’re related to,” Arbogast said. “Everybody needs to be treated equally and fair.”
Arbogast said her department does not want to cause complications, but they will enforce the laws.
“Everybody’s just trying to do what’s best for the community,” Arbogast said. We want to take care of everybody and make everybody feel safe.”
As a councilperson, Gaunce said he would entertain conversation at the next Glasgow City Council meeting regarding areas for youth to populate.
“We need to find somewhere for these kids to go. Whether it’s sitting around the Square or if it’s at a public plane,” Gaunce said. “They need somewhere to go. They just want to sit with their friends, but I can’t have them sitting out there with all that stuff going on.”
The Council meets on Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. Public attendance is permitted, but masks must be worn.
