Incident at Campbell Park Serves as Cautionary Tale

It's been two weeks since the incident that rattled Campbell resident and Campbell Patch Mom Squad member Bethany Curran took place.

On Oct. 4 during a Baby Boot Camp work out, Curran's son wandered off toward the staircase that leads up to Campbell Avenue in Campbell Park. She ran after him, but was startled to see a man sitting on the steps, "gesturing at him."

"I'm still shaken by it all," Curran says.

It had been her fifth Boot Camp class, and she and her children had frequented the park in the past with no incidents.

Campbell Police Department Capt. Dave Carmichael said that although the incident was unfortunate there was no crime committed.

"It's important to point out that there was no evidence of criminal or malicious intent but we would rather know and find out than ignore it," Carmichael said. "It's one of the judgment calls that we are paid to make."

The incident two weeks ago is the first time police have been notified of this type of behavior going on at the park, Carmichael said.

"That’s the first time that we heard of something like that," he said. "We have no reports like that at the park or anywhere near else."

There have been no new leads nor development in this case, Carmichael said.

Baby Book Camp instructor August Patterson said that she has never had a similar incident take place at her boot camp, which meets twice a week early in the mornings.

Patterson said she is currently looking at ways to avoid similar situations, either by a location change or keeping children in their strollers while exercising rather than out in front of the moms.

Campbell Patch went out to Campbell Park to talk to residents, particularly parents that use the park.

Lenka Hevery says that she uses the park once in a while and usually gets there using the Los Gatos Creek Trail.

"Sometimes you can see homeless people or people sitting in cars along the trail," Hevery said. "It's definitely nicer here (at the park)."

San Jose resident Elyzabeth Sweet said that she isn't surprised by the incident that took place.

"If I'm the only mom on the playground I won't hang out," Sweet said.

Safija Garib from San Jose used to frequent the park every day, but recently moved, so the visits are fewer.

"I feel safe and comfortable," Garib said.

Carmichael said that Campbell Police officers try to spend as much time patrolling those areas frequented by people, like the park, on a daily basis. 

Campbell Police Capt. Dave Carmichael offers a few tips to parents:

"It's always better to be safe," he said.

1. Watch your kids and provide good supervision for your kids and those of others.
2. If there’s something that looks out of place, get a good description and report it.

"We always want to be notified," he said.