CLEARFIELD – Clearfield Police Chief Vince McGinnis has asked borough council for help with an ongoing problem that, he said, has led to an extraordinary number of police calls.
McGinnis explained that duck-feeding on River Road in front of J.G. Food Warehouse creates a traffic hazard and is a source of continual calls to the police station.
He said the officers have had to respond to calls of ducks blocking traffic, and to remove dead ducks from the roadway that have been victims of passing motorists.
McGinnis’ request led to a lengthy council discussion. It was noted that there had been signs posted at the site to discourage feeding the ducks. However, no one seemed to know what became of the signs.
Several suggestions were presented during council’s discussion. One council member suggested that new “Do not feed the ducks” signs be placed at the site.
Another council member raised the concern that the ducks might have had something to do with the disappearance of the previous signs.
No action was taken at the council meeting. However, council made the point that feeding the ducks does create a traffic hazard.
As well, council found it to be a danger to the ducks that pursue pedestrians for food with no understanding of the perils they are exposed to in crossing the roadway, particularly with the constant traffic in the adjacent grocery store parking lot.
McGinnis would like to remind residents to please not feed the ducks. He said it will help keep ducks safely off the roadways, reduce traffic hazards and free the police to answer more serious police calls.