Park Police: Tresspassers Of Psych Center Property Beware

Trespassers be forewarned; the New York State Parks Department is stepping up patrols and monitoring of the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center property for Halloween weekend.

“We take this seriously. We are concerned about the number of break-ins,” said Brian Foley, Deputy Regional Director for NYS Office of Parks and Recreation. "Anyone found entering the buildings or tunnels will be arrested."

Every year around Halloween, patrols, park personnel and park police is stepped up, according to Foley.

“It is more precautionary. We want to make the patrols more visible so people realize that they should not trespass,” said Foley.

Beginning Oct 29 additional patrols of the property will begin. Patrols by park police and park staff will increase on Oct 30. Travel will be resticted on Kings Park Boulevard to those with appropriate reason from 8 p.m. Saturday until 4 a.m. Tuesday. Additional patrols will continue until 8 a.m Tuesday.

Earlier this month,

Urban Explorer Laura Leita has been arrested twice in the past seven years for trespassing on the property according to a 2007 Newsday article.

Foley also says the interior of the buildings present environmental and health issues for those who enter.

“We really want to discourage people from entering the buildings,” said Foley. “There are better ways to spend your Halloween.”