By Jennifer Wilson -

Pine Grove locals have recently noticed a new addition to their community park, and it’s not exactly welcome. For some time, numerous homeless individuals have been hanging out in the park, smoking, drinking beer and sleeping on park benches. Many citizens have complained by calling the Sheriff, or lodging complaints with the Pine Grove Community Services District who own and control the park. Currently, the only law being violated is a smoking ordinance. One local mother who called the Sheriff this week to complain about a man drinking beer in the park was told that “no law was being broken.” Many mothers and caregivers have a history of bringing children to play in the park, including Sharon Boyens, owner and operator of Honeybear Preschool, located near the park. Boyens used to bring the children in her care to the park to play, but hasn’t done so in over a year. “It’s a frightening situation. Some of the (vagrants) have approached children getting off the school bus.” Soon, local residents may have some relief from the situation. The Pine Grove Community Services District has been working on a nuisance ordinance “for some time now” says Roy Ragan, a member of the district’s Board of Directors. At their monthly meeting Wednesday, the board discussed the ordinance, which will make it illegal to drink alcoholic beverages, consume illegal drugs, loiter, or smoke in the park. The district has asked Amador County Supervisor Ted Novelli to have County Counsel review the ordinance. Until then, they will be erecting temporary signs around the park that prohibit smoking, drinking, drugs and loitering. Ragan hopes the ordinance “will give us a little more teeth (in getting the vagrants out of the park).” The district’s next meeting is scheduled for November 12th at 9 AM at the district’s office in the firehouse next to Pine Grove Park. The public is welcome to attend.