Problems with squatters and drug use near Bill Page Park have prompted a police crackdown on the area, netting arrests and citations of four people and stern warnings not to be trespassing in the woods near the ballfields.

Multiple people were cited for violations or arrested recently for trespassing on property near the ball park. The list includes Karri Margaret Jewells, 30, and Jimmy Joel Farris, 35, both cited for criminal trespass. Meanwhile, Christopher J. Luna, 30, of Cookeville was arrested on warrants out of Murray County for failure to appear and Randy Anderson, 53, of Columbia was arrested on a felony warrant for violation of parole out of Van Buren County. 

Prompting the action was reports to police that multiple people, throughout the day, walk in the woods, stay a short time and walk out. There were also calls of suspicious vehicles in the area parked (unoccupied) in the alley north of the ball parks. Police were also informed that meth was being cooked and sold in the woods.  Given the complaints, police spoke with property owners concerning the suspicious activity in the area and were informed that no one had permission to be on the property and the department has permission to enforce it. 

With the green light from the property owners, police entered the property in reference to suspicious activity and trespassing. At that time, Karri Jewells and Jimmy Farris were found on the property with a tent and camping supplies. Both parties were informed they didn’t have permission to be on the property but were given time to get their belongings off the property. Jewells was taken into custody in reference to a theft on a different incident but was later released with a citation. 

Despite the warning to leave the property, officers entered the location again nearly a week later to find Jewells and Farris still present on the property along with a tent and camping gear. Jewells and Farris were cited for criminal trespassing and given one more day to evacuate.

 Four other people were also present on the property. Christopher Luna and Randy Anderson were taken into custody on separate warrants. Luna and Anderson both informed officers that they had recently left the local halfway house. Two other females were present but not arrested but one of the females is on probation socializing with other people currently on probation (Luna and Anderson).  Found on the ground at the campsite in plain view was a clear baggy of a crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine, some needles with one needle loaded with a liquid substance. All parties were given a verbal waning to not be back on the property without consent of the owners. Jewells and Farris are to be in court to answer to the charges on June 14.