Title
Park Ranger and Security Services Update
Description
This report provides the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee an update on the Park Ranger Program and the Security Services Pilot Program.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
Park Ranger Program
The Parks and Recreation Department Natural Resources Division houses the Park Ranger program. Objectives of the program include maintaining safe and welcoming parks for all residents and visitors. The work Park Rangers perform are divided into two related yet distinct assignments: (1) rangers assigned to the mountain preserves and (2) rangers assigned to urban parks. There are 88 full-time Park Rangers, and 10 part-time Park Rangers positions throughout the park system. Currently, there are seven full-time Park Ranger vacancies, including four on the urban team and three on the mountain preserve ranger team. There are currently five part-time Park Ranger vacancies, all on the mountain preserve ranger team.
Park Rangers assigned to the mountain preserves protect the City’s mountain preserves, including animal habitats, hiking trails, trail heads, restrooms and physical facilities. Rangers educate the public on how to safely enjoy the Sonoran Desert and enforce park rules, regulations and ordinances related to park usage in desert parks and preserves. When necessary, rangers issue criminal citations for violations of City Code ordinances. Rangers also facilitate programs and provide a wide variety of information about park and recreation facilities to the public. Additionally, rangers work closely with other first responders to interact safely and communicate effectively with park users in emergency situations. There are 59 full-time and 10 part-time positions throughout the mountain park and preserve areas, which manage the patrol and maintenance of all trailheads and facilities which are open seven days a week, year-round, from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Park Rangers assigned to urban parks support and rove throughout the City’s urban park system, which consist of 185 parks, designated bike paths and pedestrian tunnels throughout the City. Rangers assist daily in the proactive education and enforcement of the public, addressing the Code of Conduct Policy as well as other common issues such as loitering in the park after hours, illegal vending, shopping carts, dogs off-leash, smoking, drugs and paraphernalia, and unattended belongings. Rangers monitor and enforce park rules, regulations and ordinances related to City park use and educate park patrons not complying with these rules. Criminal citations for violation of City Code ordinances or trespass notices through the Parks and Recreation Department's Code of Conduct are issued, when necessary. Ranger patrol coverage is currently seven days a week from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The Parks Rangers are also an integral part of the PHX Community Action Response Engagement Services (C.A.R.E.S.) initiative, which focuses on efforts to reduce the impact of homelessness in the City and address concerns and issues related to unsheltered individuals in neighborhoods. Rangers work with police and Community Bridges, Inc. staff on targeted outreach opportunities. A strategic approach identifies priority patrols via input from Parks and Recreation Department staff throughout the City and Phoenix Police Department service calls. Ranger patrols afford the opportunity to increase direct contact with individuals who may need services and the ability to immediately provide information directly to the PHX C.A.R.E.S. program and other City departments, including Police, Human Services, Neighborhood Services and Street Transportation.
Park Rangers assigned to the urban parks include one Park Supervisor, one Park Manager, four Park Ranger III supervisors, and 24 full-time Park Ranger IIs. When fully staffed, six Park Ranger IIs cover the morning shift from 4 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and six Ranger IIs cover the afternoon shift from 12:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The approved Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 budget includes the addition of a third shift to the Park Ranger Urban team. This new shift includes 15 total positions to add overnight Park Ranger coverage from 8:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. Current Park Ranger coverage does not include overnight hours.
With the addition of a third shift, the second shift would be adjusted to provide additional overlap with the first shift. The Park Ranger shifts covering urban parks would be:
- 1st Shift: 4 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- 2nd Shift: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- 3rd Shift: 8:30 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Staff has conducted an expedited recruitment process for the new positions. The job was posted for a two week period, and a total of 99 applications were received. An all-day hiring event occurred on June 1.
The Parks and Recreation Department anticipates onboarding new employees hired through this recruitment during the week of July 10. This first week will be spent acquiring uniforms, confirming information technology access, attending new employee orientation and providing an orientation to the work location. The new Park Rangers are forecasted to begin a two-week ranger academy the week of July 17, followed by six weeks of field training led by the first and second shift Park Ranger teams starting the week of July 31. Based on this projected timeline, staff anticipates the third shift Park Rangers would commence overnight shifts the week of Sept. 11, 2023.
Security Services Pilot Program
On Nov. 2, 2022, the Phoenix City Council approved a six month pilot program to implement overnight security services at 12 park locations in an effort to further address negative behaviors and security concerns in parks. The pilot program began on Feb. 8, 2023. The full scope of work of these additional services includes patrols at specified park locations between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. daily for a total of 14 hours each night.
The Security Services Pilot Program will continue at least through the end of the contract term with the current security contractor in order to better evaluate the impact of simultaneous services with third shift Park Rangers and assess ongoing needs. The current contract will expire on Nov. 30, 2023, and the Finance Department is developing a Citywide solicitation for a new security services contract that will begin on Dec. 1, 2023. Parks and Recreation staff are working with the Finance Department to share department priorities to help inform the Citywide solicitation process.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Inger Erickson and the Parks and Recreation Department.