Patrol decision for parks

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners is expected to decide next week whether to support a funding request of about $6,000 for patrol of Cade Lake and Nottawa parks.

During a special meeting Tuesday, the St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation Commission agreed to ask for the funding. The money would allow the sheriff’s department to dedicate a part-time deputy to patrol the two campgrounds for a total of 24 hours over a three-day period on weekends through the middle of September.

Parks and Recreation Director John Pence said the presence of law enforcement is important to handling guests who violate park rules, including no alcohol and no fireworks.

The matter is likely to be brought up at Friday morning’s executive committee meeting, with a final decision Tuesday next week by the county commission.