Jean Klock Park is one of Benton Harbor's most treasured public spaces. The Klock family gifted it to the City in 1917 for the benefit of the people of Benton Harbor. Being good stewards of that gift means maintaining clear rules, consistent enforcement, and a safe environment for everyone who uses the park.

For more than a year, nearby residents have been documenting dangerous activity at Jean Klock Park and reporting it to City leadership, including the open display of a firearm confirmed by law enforcement, reckless driving, drag racing, and indecent exposure. Those reports went unanswered. 

On May 18, 2026, approximately 30 shots were fired at the park in broad daylight and a teenager was shot in the leg. While those involved were from out of state, the incident made clear what residents had been saying for months: the park lacked the basic enforcement infrastructure needed to protect visitors and surrounding neighborhoods. It took a teenager being shot to get the City's attention.

Since April 2026 alone, park visitors have documented 20+ additional incidents at the park. The Jean Klock Neighborhood Coalition has also obtained records showing 79 cleared 911 calls associated with the park over the past 14 months. Yet despite these repeated incidents, the City confirmed that not a single citation had been issued at Jean Klock Park until June 26, 2026, when enforcement finally began.

The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety has also confirmed it has only three patrol vehicles covering the entire city during a typical shift, making sustained enforcement at the park difficult. While additional officers are in training, they are not expected to join the department for at least six months.

We are now asking the broader community to join us in calling for practical solutions - most of which the City previously had in place and simply stopped doing.

We, the undersigned, respectfully call on the City of Benton Harbor to:

1. Resume closing the existing front gate at 10:00 p.m. The park already has posted hours of 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The gate already exists and was routinely closed until approximately six years ago. We are asking the City to resume enforcing the hours already in place. This is consistent with neighboring beaches, where both Silver Beach Park and Rocky Gap Park close their vehicle gates at 10:00 p.m.

2. Repair or replace the damaged traffic spikes at Grand Boulevard, or install a gate at that exit. The existing traffic-control system on Grand Boulevard was damaged and never restored. Restricting after-hours vehicle access would address one of the most consistent concerns raised by residents and law enforcement alike.

3. Implement appropriate traffic-calming measures. Residents have repeatedly documented reckless driving, excessive speeding, and drag racing within the park. The City should evaluate and implement measures that improve safety for all park users.

4. Update park signage and Chapter 28 of the City Code. Current signage throughout Jean Klock Park is inconsistent, and Chapter 28 contains inaccurate road names and provisions that no longer reflect current park conditions. Residents, visitors, city staff, and enforcement personnel deserve a clear and consistent understanding of the rules governing the park.

These are not new demands. They are practical steps that build upon infrastructure and policies the City has previously used and that visitors have repeatedly requested.

Jean Klock Park belongs to the people of Benton Harbor. Every visitor deserves to enjoy it safely.
Sign today and help protect one of Benton Harbor's greatest public assets.

Petition organized by the Jean Klock Neighborhood Coalition.

If you see something, say something!

Contact:  jeanklocknc@gmail.com 
#ProtectJeanKlock

Petition Update 7/13/26

Since this petition was launched, representatives of the Jean Klock Neighborhood Coalition met with Benton Harbor Public Safety Director Daniel McGinnis to discuss safety at Jean Klock Park.

During that meeting, Director McGinnis shared that the Department of Public Safety had proposed assigning two officers to Jean Klock Park, but that the proposal was not approved by City Manager Alex Little. 

The meeting confirmed what residents have been saying for more than a year: Jean Klock Park needs dedicated police staffing, consistent overnight enforcement, functioning cameras, and effective access control.

We are calling on Mayor Marcus Muhammad, City Manager Alex Little, and the Benton Harbor City Commission to publicly explain how they intend to keep Jean Klock Park safe if they choose not to implement the Department of Public Safety's proposed staffing plan.

This update does not change the purpose of the petition. It provides important new information obtained after the petition was launched and reinforces the need for immediate, transparent action to protect Jean Klock Park.