Discussions

I drive home via braecrest every night (usually 12-3am) and every time I go by the church on 18th and braecrest, there are 3-20 cars in the fully lit lot, with what looks like teenagers both in and around the cars. And it doesn’t matter what time of year, either. No cops or security has ever come by to make them leave, and I’m surprised neighbors aren’t complaining about the noise. Is there some kind of car club meeting there? Or just bored teens with nowhere else to go? Are church grounds private property or can anyone loiter there at any time?

There's a poke stop up there and I think there's some people that just go there to park and hang out.  
What I don't get is why you seem so blown out by it? If the church had an issue with it I'm sure they'd have dealt with it by now, but if they're not causing any issues what exactly is the harm?

why should they made to leave? Are they being destructive, causing a disturbance? From what you post there''s no reason to kick them off and it''s up to the church to to make that decision.  
 
Don't be a Permit Patty or any of those others who call Police over nothing.  
 
Edited by Trevor B, 2018-07-09 20:36:27

And they certainly can patrol the area. I happen to agree with the op. Loitering used to be against the law and not much argument can be told for losing control of our youth. Not saying they’re doing wrong but who knows?

What’s the big deal? What else is there to do in Brandon other than sitting at home or going to the store or a movie? If the police were worried about them, they’d be out there patrolling.  
 
Are you also worried about the older group who hangs out at the south end Tim’s with their muscle cars?

The_Young_Man said "What’s the big deal? What else is there to do in Brandon other than sitting at home or going to the store or a movie? If the police were worried about them, they’d be out there patrolling.     Are you also worried about the older group who hangs out at the south end Tim’s with their muscle cars? "

the usual thinking that the younger generation is always up to no good.  
 
Also have not heard of any reports of vandalism at that church.  
 
If they are just up there playing Pokemon Go, let them. Since it's a global game, maybe during those hours they are playing against others in another part of the world.

First off, I have not called the police, but I’m surprised no one else has. It’s after midnight, not evening. I can’t believe asking simple questions, like asking if there was a club meeting there, I didn’t think that’d constitute people getting their backs up and name calling. Permit patty? Really?! Immature.

Facade said "First off, I have not called the police, but I’m surprised no one else has. It’s after midnight, not evening. I can’t believe asking simple questions, like asking if there was a club meeting there, I didn’t think that’d constitute people getting their backs up and name calling. Permit patty? Really?! Immature. "

you know no one has and the police paid them a visit?

Need to enforce a strict curfew for these young people, and ban them from gathering in groups of three or more. Also, they need to keep them off my lawn, and make them stop playing that darn rock 'n' roll music!

There is in fact a Pokemon Go Poke Stop at Grand Valley Community Church. Along with many other spots in Brandon. The church likely also knows this.  
 
https://www.pokemongomap.info/pokestop/grand-valley-community-church/4853447

Maybe the police have stopped by and the people gathered there are not doing anything illegal, being noisy, or causing any disturbance whatsoever. Maybe there have been no noise complaints from neighbors because the people aren't being noisy. Maybe they are youth from the church community, so the church doesn't have a problem with them using their property. Many possibilities.

My niece has told me it’s just a hang out spot for teens and younger adults. She has said it’s a nice spot to overlook the city at night.

Wow... people just can't have fun anymore.  
 
When I was a teen/ young adult we all hung around the timmies/ Canadian tire parking lot all hours of the night. Sometimes we would find other areas to go.... it always came down to finding new locations because of things like your post. Someone doesn't like what someone else does and makes an issue of it.  
 
There are quite a few far clubs in Brandon too that have people of all ages that frequent empty parking lots wherever they can find to hang out and socialize.  
 
If they are hanging out in an open parking lot, not causing too many disturbances, not vandalizing, selling drugs, ect... then who cares.  
 
Too many damn snowflakes in today's society that need to take a huge dose of mind your own business. I'd rather see a group of people out socializing even if it's all hours of the night than inside 24/7 infront of a screen.  
 
If what they are doing isn't hurting you in any way, shape or form, other than to make you butt hurt, I suggest moving along.

~BooBoo~ said "Wow... people just can't have fun anymore.     When I was a teen/ young adult we all hung around the timmies/ Canadian tire parking lot all hours of the night. Sometimes we would find other areas to go.... it always came down to finding new locations because of things like your post. Someone doesn't like what someone else does and makes an issue of it.     There are quite a few far clubs in Brandon too that have people of all ages that frequent empty parking lots wherever they can find to hang out and socialize.     If they are hanging out in an open parking lot, not causing too many disturbances, not vandalizing, selling drugs, ect... then who cares.     Too many damn snowflakes in today's society that need to take a huge dose of mind your own business. I'd rather see a group of people out socializing even if it's all hours of the night than inside 24/7 infront of a screen.     If what they are doing isn't hurting you in any way, shape or form, other than to make you butt hurt, I suggest moving along. "

Agree 100% with this post. Don't change a thing.

Sometimes police would rather know the location of teenagers instead of scattering them to unknown locations.  
 
Hanging out at church isn't the worst thing.

I'm fairly certain that they have security cameras outside. If there's trouble, the church can just look at the footage

BuddyCthulhu said "Need to enforce a strict curfew for these young people, and ban them from gathering in groups of three or more. Also, they need to keep them off my lawn, and make them stop playing that darn rock 'n' roll music! "

lol

Loitering at a church parking lot oh my, as long as they are being respectful and doing no harm, who cares, its sort of out of the way and not bothering the operation church or surrounding neighbours much, Im sure the pastor or what ever would be glad that their there, and say hello if they happen to be out and about, chasing them away woulds not good for their business, you got them in the lot, invite them in be friendly Im sure they could use some more attendee's.

My name is Brian, and I'm the Lead Pastor at Grand Valley Church. We love our city just like you do, and we're happy to share the beautiful view of Brandon we have from our parking lot. I've even seen a few marriage proposals happen with the city lights in the background.  
 
All we ask is that people using our parking lot either take their garbage with them or drop it in the dumpster on the East side of the building on their way out to help keep the area clean.  
 
Car clubs have often used our parking lot for their meetings, and if other car clubs are interested in using our parking lot, please contact us through our website (www.myGrandValley.ca). This way we can make sure your event won't conflict with service times, church events, weddings, or funerals.  
 
Throughout the year we also have members of our armed forces from CFB Shilo use our parking lot as a staging ground for training exercises.  
 
Brandon Police officers regularly drive through our parking lot and check on the vehicles. We appreciate what they do to keep our community safe.

It is a Beautiful View and if people enjoy thunderstorms, it is a great place for an Awesome View. Thank you for sharing this space with our Community

there not causing a problem leave them alone, we all had places to meet up with our friends. its all cool.

That is in question is a pretty decent group of guys. I know them, nothing to worry about. Theres bigger issues in this city. As mentioned above theres a group of muscle car guys. Whats the difference?

really was nothing more than stereotyping teenagers and young adults who are hanging out in the church parking lot in the middle of the night. Thinking they are up to no good. But this has been happening for generations.

I’m my early twenties I used to live on braecrest...after work (I would usually work 6pm to 3am) I would stop at that parking lot to just relax and look at the city...it’s an amazing view. Often times in the summer there would be other cars there too just minding their own business..  
 
Like others have said, there isn’t a lot to do in Brandon, especially if you are a young adult who works on evenings and weekends...so just let them be if they aren’t doing anything illegal.

Thanks to Grand Valley Church for coming here and saying it's a-ok for these kids and young adults to be here.  
 
I remember being 17-18-19 years old growing up in Winnipeg and having problems finding a "hang-out" where we weren't suspected of being up to no good. We were good kids (on the most part) and didn't cause problems (except at Perkins at 3 a.m. that [i]one time...[/i]) and would have appreciated someplace like that to spend our nights.

to eventually hang out in their lawn chairs in the Tim Horton's parking lot when they grow up!

I’m glad that your church is aware and have had people adhere to your reasonable request in regards to littering, etc. Glad that people are enjoying the sights of the city. To those of you who actually answered my questions respectfully, thank you. All I was doing was asking simple questions, not asking for name calling, bullying or people just being jerks just because they are armchair warriors hiding behind screen names.