Brackenridge looks to address complaints about street sports

Anyone putting up basketball hoops, soccer or hockey goals on Brackenridge streets could find it to be a costly move.

A proposed ordinance would prohibit items like these from encroaching on public rights of way after multiple residents complained about property damage from errant basketballs and street hockey balls.

“The complaints come from all across the borough,” council President Tim Connelly said. “Balls are bouncing into cars and obstructing traffic. It’s a nuisance.”

Connelly was not sure how many complaints the borough had received in the past year.

Mayor Lindsay Fraser and police Chief Justin McIntire did not return multiple requests for comment.

The proposal would eliminate items on or above sidewalks, streets and highways because they “endanger the health, safety and welfare of both pedestrians and motorists.”

If approved, violators would face a written warning for the first offense and a fine of up to $1,000 for every incident after.

The law does not apply to private property.

Council is expected to vote on the ordinance at its next meeting Sept. 1.

Connelly and other council members said they aren’t looking to rob kids of fun, sports or fitness.

Councilman Dino Lopreiato said the wording of the proposal might need to be changed.

“I think the way we want it geared is that we want to enforce it where it’s a problem,” he said. “No one wants to take it away altogether. I don’t believe the police are going to come take everything away if you’re out there playing and there’s no problem.”

Connelly agreed, saying: “Of course kids will still be able to play, but they have to use common sense. If it’s a nuisance, then we have to step in.”

Resident Tyna Putignano said she hopes council can find a compromise. She said children need to be able to play outside rather than sit in front of a computer or phone all day.

“I understand that space is tight and things can happen, but in the day that we’re living in, they should be happy that kids want to go out and play,” Putignano said.

A parent to a 17-year-old, Putignano said outdoor play provides social and physical benefits.

“I know that everywhere isn’t the best for them to be playing, but a lot of kids can’t afford to join the Y or go to the gym,” she said. “There’s definitely got to be a way to meet halfway and work around it.”

Borough Solicitor Craig Alexander said the ordinance, as written, would prohibit the sports equipment across the board.

“I don’t think you’ll see a code enforcement officer go out the door every day and look for hoops, but we want to enforce the areas where there are problems,” he said.

“If council wants to go back in and look at some of the language, they can do that.”

If changes are made to the draft, it would need to be advertised again.

If passed, the ordinance might be the first of its kind in the area.

In several communities across the Alle-Kiski Valley, officials said they were not aware of ordinances to prohibit kids from playing in public rights of way.

Harrison secretary Susan Motosicky said the township does not have one that she knows of. She referred further questions to Township Manager John Pallone, who was not available for comment.

New Kensington Clerk Dennis Scarpiniti said the city has not had problems he’s aware of that stem from children playing sports in the streets or alleys.

Leechburg police Officer Mark Pollick said he is not aware of any official “no playing in the street” ordinance in the borough.

Pollick said he fields occasional complaints from residents about children on bikes zipping in and out on the roads, but he said children playing in the streets is not an issue.

East Vandergrift also doesn’t have any ordinances pertaining to street play.

“We had had some issues in the past with bikes — kids don’t always pay attention — but we don’t have anything specific in an ordinance,” borough Secretary Kristen Sarno said.

Gilpin Supervisor Charles Stull grew up in the rural township without recreational ordinances pertaining to streets.

“No concerns on kids playing in the streets have been voiced to me during my time as supervisor,” Stull said. “But in a less rural community, an ordinance of this sort may be necessary to protect the children and motorists.”

East Deer Commissioners Chairman Tony Taliani said the township does not have an ordinance that affects township streets.

“We haven’t had any problems or complaints over the years,” he said.

In Tarentum, ordinances do not address anything related to children blocking public access while playing in the street, council President Scott Dadowski said.

Frazer Secretary/Treasurer Lori Ziencik said the township does not have a “no playing in the street” rule.

“We have mostly rural roads, so the kids don’t play in the streets,” she said.

Tom Yerace is a freelance writer. Tawnya Panizzi is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tawnya at 724-226-7726, tpanizzi@triblive.com or via Twitter @tawnyatrib. Staff writers Joyce Hanz, Tanisha Thomas and Brian C. Rittmeyer contributed to this report.