I sit here this Saturday morning, once again kept awake until 2:30 in the morning by partying, loud shouting and music, alcohol and apparent drug abuse (not to mention those who use the bushes instead of the restroom) in Des Moines' Wooten Park in Redondo, the boat ramp parking across the street, and right smack in the middle of Redondo Way South between the two.

Week after week. Four nights a week.

Redondo changes at night. Sometimes there are fights. Almost every week, there are problems with racing, drugs and partying.

Sometimes, when they are not stretched too thinly, the Des Moines police will respond.

What happens?

In spite of the entire area being posted with at least three different ordinances against loitering, alcohol, drugs, and loud music, as well as the posted "Closed after dark" with a fine of up to $95, the police come, cruise, often managed to run off some problem people, and leave. (Interestingly, these folks seem to know when the police are coming. As soon as 9-1-1 is dialed, people head for their cars!)

However, as with last night, as soon as the police drive back up the hill, people go right back to partying.

I've lived here four years. It's never changed.

Yet, while I look out this morning, the city of Des Moines has two uniformed marina personnel patrolling in the morning, and the parks people come and clean up Wooten Park.

Where are the priorities?

Douglas Orton

Des Moines