Title
Parks Safety Update
Description
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
The mission of the Parks and Recreation Department is to build healthy communities through parks, programs and partnerships, and to make the City a better place to live, visit and play. With one of the largest park systems in the nation, Phoenix provides residents and visitors with more than 41,000 acres of desert parks and mountain preserves containing more than 200 miles of trails, 186 parks, and much more. The Parks and Recreation Department provides open space and opportunities for recreation. However, many parks continue to face challenges. To address and reduce negative behaviors and security concerns in parks, the Parks and Recreation Department implemented overnight security services at select park locations and an overnight park ranger program in 2023.
Security Services Program
The Parks and Recreation Department began implementation of the overnight security services in February 2023 at 12 park locations in an effort to further address negative behaviors and security concerns in the parks. The following 12 parks were selected using criteria such as the number of Park Ranger visits, the number of Code of Conduct violations and trespass notices issued throughout the City:
- Cesar Chavez Park
- Cholla Trail
- Cielito Park
- Cortez Park
- El Oso Park
- Los Olivos Park
- Maryvale Park
- Paradise Valley Park
- Perry Park
- Pierce Park
- Sunnyslope Park
- Washington Park
Security personnel work in pairs and are assigned to rove between four park locations in three distinct geographic zones. Patrols take place between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. daily. Once security personnel arrive onsite at a park, they drive around the perimeter of the park and conduct foot patrols inside park boundaries. Their scope of work includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Educate the public on park rules and address Code of Conduct violations.
- Open, close and inspect restroom facilities and/or park gates when applicable.
- Inspect park amenities and relay information to City staff about any park safety concerns.
- Ensure the park is clear of users upon park closure.
- Relay information to PHX CARES through park's staff to provide outreach services.
- Submit daily reports summarizing patrol activity.
- Contact City of Phoenix Park Rangers for assistance when appropriate.
- Call Phoenix Police for emergency purposes or crimes occurring within the park.
Between July, 1 and Nov. 14, 2023, security personnel conducted 3,850 site visits to the 12 selected park locations. During those visits, security personnel made contact with over 8,000 people in the parks. Common activity reported pertained to loitering after-hours, using park amenities outside their intended purpose, vehicles in the park after-hours and other criminal activity, such as drug use, in the park. Security personnel also reported vandalism in the park, such as graffiti, and damaged park amenities. In most circumstances, people are responsive to security personnel. Of the 8,000 people security personnel interacted with, Police assistance was requested a total of 52 times and assistance form Park Rangers was requested nine times.
Park Ranger Program
The Parks and Recreation Department is fortunate to have a team of Park Rangers dedicated to patrolling the 186 flatland urban parks throughout the City. To further enhance park safety, the Parks and Recreation Department hired 15 additional Park Ranger and supervisory positions to create an overnight Park Ranger team. Third-shift Park Rangers patrol between 8:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. The overnight Park Rangers were hired by July 2023 and participated in eight-weeks of ranger training. Overnight patrols officially began Sept. 11, 2023.
Park Rangers assist daily in the proactive education of park rules and enforcement of the Code of Conduct Policy. Common code of conduct and City Code violations Park Rangers address include loitering in the park after hours, illegal vending, shopping carts on park property, dogs off-leash, smoking, use of park amenities outside their intended purpose, littering, and criminal activity. Criminal citations for violation of City Code ordinances or trespass notices through Parks and Recreation Department's Code of Conduct are issued by Park Rangers, when necessary. While Park Rangers can issue citations and trespass notices, there are some challenges that may prevent them from doing so. Individuals must be willing to remain on-site and engage with Park Rangers as they cannot detain individuals. Individuals must also be willing to provide identification. Park Rangers also contact Phoenix Police for assistance with addressing criminal activity in parks.
Additionally, Park Rangers and security personnel have developed a system to communicate on a daily basis by sharing valuable information on park activity. Combined outreach and enforcement of park rules are coordinated as needed to address ongoing negative activity in select parks.
The Park 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 addresses resident concerns related to unsheltered individuals in neighborhoods. Rangers work with Police and Community Bridges, Inc. staff on coordinated outreach opportunities utilizing a strategic approach that identifies priority patrols via input from Parks and Recreation Department staff throughout the City and Phoenix Police Department services calls. Park Ranger patrols afford the opportunity to increase direct contact with individuals requiring services and the ability to immediately provide information directly to the PHX C.A.R.E.S. program and other City departments, including Office of Homeless Solutions, Human Services, Neighborhood Services, Police and Street Transportation.
The Parks and Recreation Department remains dedicated to enhancing the safety and enjoyment of our parks. Overnight security services and Park Ranger patrols have proven to be helpful in providing valuable insight into what occurs in parks overnight to help address negative activity. The department plans to explore the feasibility of creating a more flexible method to deploy security personnel to help deter negative activity in parks with the greatest need.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Inger Erickson and the Parks and Recreation Department.