Dear Editor,

It was with interest that I read your article in the Aug. 12 Ballard News-Tribune.

I owned a house in Ballard for 13-plus years, which backed onto Gilman Park, right next to the tennis courts, the lot to the east.

The area right behind my fence was very dark, due to a large oak tree, the tennis court fence and no lighting. I called police many times, every spring, summer and fall because transients camped there, defecated there, drank there, fought, swore, shouted, lit fires, and in one instance climbed over the 10 foot chain link fence into my yard.

I finally succeeded in getting (someone from) the Parks Department management to look at the area, begged him to put in an overhead light or bushes or something to dissuade the transients from coming to that dark area.

The Parks Department manager refused and said there was nothing he could do. One of the guys with him told me that a "bad element" was being chased out of downtown Ballard, and had come over there.

I gave up, sold my home three years ago and moved to Wedgwood. I drove by the area the other day, and sure enough, there were blankets back there. All I can say is, good luck.

Eryl Williams MSW
Wedgwood