Parx Casino Reps In Harrisburg To Answer Questions About Children Left In Cars
BENSALEM, Pa. (CBS) - Representatives from Parx Casino have been summoned to Harrisburg this morning to meet with the state Gaming Control Board to talk about the Bensalem casino's plan for dealing with the ongoing problem of kids left in cars.
The board wants to hear firsthand from Parx officials about what's been done since the casino submitted a plan about a year ago to deal with the problem. Since February of last year, 10 adults have been charged with child endangerment for leaving kids inside vehicles in the parking lot while they gambled.
But even with stepped up patrols, it hasn't stopped, the most recent cases coming last month (see related story).
Board spokesman Doug Harbach says, "It's still occurring, so some discussion about their efforts and anything else that could be done to try to make sure that these occasions stop occurring is something the board wants to talk about."
Harbach says the board understands that it could be a little tricky for Parx when it comes to checking cars entering the parking lots, because there's also a racetrack and kids are allowed there.
"Given the fact that it's a track and children are allowed to go in parts of that facility, then this becomes a little dicier situation with regards to monitoring who's coming in and out of the casinos."
Harbach says today's meeting is for informational purposes.
"The board's looking to find out if Parx can possibly do even better in trying to keep this from occurring."
Parx spokeswoman Carrie Nork Minelli wouldn't comment until after the hearing, but in the past has said the casino has deployed additional security teams and patrol units -- beyond what's required -- to keep an eye on the parking lots.
Reported by Suburban Bureau Chief Brad Segall, KYW Newsradio 1060
