TO: NYC Department of Parks NYPD 50th Precinct FROM: Residents of Kingsbridge Heights in the vicinity of Fort Independence Park RE: Fort Independence Park DATE: June 2008 Since October 24, 2007, Fort Independence Park has remained unlocked at night, at the request of people in the local community and Community Board 8\'s Parks Committee. We sign this petition to support keeping the park unlocked because: We want to be able to enjoy the park in the early evening hours and the early morning hours. We want PEP officers, police officers and neighbors to be able to walk through the park when it is officially closed to ensure that illegal activities aren\'t taking place. It should not be locked because the locked gates only keep out the police. Vandals and criminals can easily climb over the gates.