What Happened on Collins Cove Playground Sunday Afternoon?
A reader asked us to elaborate on a log entry, and we found some answers.
Yesterday a reader took notice of the following entry in our police log from Sunday, Feb. 19:
"1:59 p.m. — Police received a call about a suspicious man on a Salem playground. Police said the man willfully tried to entice two female minors with a handwritten note in an attempt to engage in illicit activities of a sexual nature at approximately 1:30 p.m. Police said a warrant will be sought for the defendant's arrest."
Reader Chris asked where the incident took place, and we were able to find additional information as there were several developments after the log was released to the media.
We're taking on the incident in You Ask…Patch Answers this week.
This is what we found:
James G. Dyke, 34, of 91 Crest Ave., in Chelsea, was arrested on a warrant Sunday in a connection with an incident that occured earlier that day in Collins Cove Park.
On Sunday afternoon, an officer responded to a Salem home and spoke with a woman who said her daughter and niece, who are both under 16, told her a man was "staring in their direction for a long period of time" while they were at Collins Cove Park, police said.
The girls said the man "left the park before them and appeared to have left a piece of paper on the bench," Out of curiosity, police said the victims "went over to the…vacant bench and saw a note along with a flyer for the Clipper Ship Inn."
Police said the note gave a room number at the Clipper Ship Inn, made reference to the girls' appearance and the man's income and said "Come anytime sex, beer, bring your friend too." The note was signed by someone by the name of "Sgt. Jim." Police said the phone number for the Clipper Ship Inn and an extension were also listed on the note.
The girls returned home, "but had to carefully as the [man] was still in the area and they did not want to be seen," police said. They gave the note to the husband of the woman who reported the incident.
The alleged victims were able to describe the man. Police said the man was located at the Clipper Ship Inn where he was residing.
He "did not deny any of the girls' story and freely admitted to leaving the note," the officer said. Police said the man "also stated that he believed the girls to be approximately 26."
Police said a warrant was issued for two counts of enticement of a child under 16.
Dyke was arrested at the Clipper Ship Inn at 9:03 p.m. Sunday.
In This article
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Collins Cove Park and Playground
E Collins St & Conners Rd, Salem, MA -
Clipper Ship Inn
40 Bridge St, Salem, MA
Jared Robinson
12:07 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
wow, what a scumbag... can we get a mugshot?
Might be time to start a neighborhood watch.
Erin Cyr
12:07 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
This totally disgusts me. This is our neighborhood park and it is definitely falling into disrepair which is very sad (especially since it is directly across the street from the ward councilor's house). There are often homeless people napping on the benches, people don't ever pick up after their dogs, and there is broken glass in the park. The actual playground is covered in graffiti and has pieces missing. Collins Cove could be a beautiful recreational area especially once the construction in the area is done. The beach is littered with glass and trash, I would never go there with out full shoes on, even sandals wouldn't be safe. This area could be a beautiful neighborhood gem, much like the beach in the Juniper Point area with their little playground. It is due for renewal and refurbishment. I hope that happens soon.
Jared Robinson
12:16 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
and all the little self-styled graffiti artists tagging the slide with magic markers... it's so obnoxious. They even cut down the net ladder on one side...
I really wish we could get some work done to clean up the glass covered beach and fix some of the walls on the beach too. they're crumbling away.
Chris
1:19 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Thanks for following up on the story Aubry.
Cwheels
2:45 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Something the snews would never do.
carl gauthier
3:06 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
!
Anthony O'Donnell
4:19 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
This is a terrible story glad the girls were smart enough to tell their parents and contact the authorities. As for the park/beach clean up; the squeaky wheel usually receives the oil. Also starting a neighborhood community day to go out together and clean the beach would be a good idea, why wait for others to do it ; take the initiative and go as a neighborhood and clean it all your selves and then be on the look out for those not abiding by the law.
I hate to say this but the Salem Common has become a dumping ground for waste from Dogs. I had a friend in town from New York and he had his dogs with him and said he has never seen a park with so much excrement in it and he is from New York City. The dog mess around the common makes our city and those that reside here classless. They should really start enforcing the law as to curbing your pet!
Jared Robinson
4:28 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
http://www.facebook.com/salemward2
Unfortunately Collins Cove Park is in Ward 2, while the Beach is in Ward 1... odd, isn't it?
I'm going to start a Collins Cove Clean Up Movement this spring. I've been going to the park occasionally this winter to clean up a bit with my son. I wonder how much it would be to hire a company to clean the glass off the beach
Jared Robinson
4:30 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Also, the Common is in Ward 2, and I would hope that a Clean Up Movement would consider working both Collins Cove AND The Common.
If you're interested in volunteering, sign up at the facebook page.
Chris
4:34 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Salem Sound Coastwatch organizes teams of people to clean-up and 'adopt' local beaches, the next adopt a beach gathering is Tuesday Feb 28th.
http://www.salemsound.org/adoptabeach.html
"Adopt a Beach Gatherings
Tuesday, February 28 - 7:00 - 8:30pm
Abbot Public Library, Meeting Room
235 Pleasant Street, Marblehead, MA 01945
Are you passionate about your local beach?
If you haven't done so already, become a beachkeeper!
Beachkeepers and anyone interested in learning more about the program are invited to join us at our upcoming Adopt a Beach gathering. This is a friendly, informal event where we'll get to know each other, hear what others are doing at their beaches and learn how to use the Adopt a Beach on-line interactive forum. "
Jared Robinson
4:35 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
fantastic, thanks!
Don Nadeau
10:30 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Hurrah for smart kids good community policing and neighborhood involvement. And thank you to the other organizations Salem Sound and Salem Patch all for helping make Salem a better community. United we stand divided we fall apart. Lend a hand whenever you can. Feel good about our community!