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12-19-2006 - Request from Councilmember Herfert Concerning Possible Park Ranger ProgramJ, • 0 City of West Covina Memorandum TO: Andrew G. Pasmant, City Manager and City Council FROM: Frank J. Wills, Chief of Police AGENDA ITEM NO. H= I s DATE December 19, 2006 SUBJECT: REQUEST FROM COUNCILMEMBER HERFERT CONCERNING POSSIBLE PARK RANGER PROGRAM RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council: 1. Direct staff to further explore one of the identified options (implementation of a West Covina Park Ranger program, hiring private security guards, or hiring four additional Police Officers to form a Park Patrol Team), or 2. Receive and file this report. DISCUSSION: The City. Council has requested a brief overview regarding the creation of a Park Ranger program. \j The City of. West Covina has 17 parks and various paseos located throughout the city. Community Services staff conducted a recent survey of the needs associated with these open areas. While city parks were not in a state of disrepair, some building damage and lack of public regard for park gro:,mds was observed. The conclusion was that city parks and paseos could benefit from daily oversight through a non -sworn Park Ranger type program. The details of this are as follows. \ The implementation of such a program would assist the Police Department, Environmental Management, Community Services, Public Works and the Maintenance Department in better meeting the needs and safety interests of the Community. Park Rangers carry a diverse selection of duties that may include 'interpretive programming, resource protection, park patrol, enforcement of rules and regulations, and the apprehension and arrest of offenders. In an effort to gather information, staff completed a 29-agency study of organizations that enlist the services of Park Rangers. Of the 29 agencies surveyed, seven mirror a number of the duties the City of West Covina would seek in a Park Ranger. Those duties include: • Communicate and identify the species and behavior of native wildlife and plants. • Conduct nature hikes and conservation projects. • Perform resource protection. ti • Monitor city trails for hazards, make safety recommendations, and eliminate "bootleg" trails. • Monitor and collect trash and debris. • Patrol city parks and facilities. • Maintain and/or design and build retaining walls, stairs, and benches. • Issue citations. • When necessary, make citizen's arrests. • Make court appearances and give depositions. • Prepare demographic, social and statistical analyses of occurrences impacting park usage and security. • Assist in the monitoring of park reservations and public events. While the minimum qualifications vary by agency surveyed, all seven entities required either a law enforcement procedures course, graduation from a peace officer training course, or full basic police academy training. In some cases the Park Rangers carry a chemical agent, baton and/or a firearm. From a customer serviceOTandpoint the Park Ranger program has*" eral advantages. Personnel employed as Park Rangers will be trained to assist the public and answer questions regarding the city. Their presence would bring another dimension to the park experience in West Covina. Park Rangers would provide a feeling of safety for those using the park and would provide outdoor educational services for those choosing to take advantage of this service. They would also be able to be the eyes and ears of the police department and their presence may deter some crime. In addition, citizens may find a civilian Park Ranger to be more approachable than a uniformed police officer. If Park Rangers did not receive law enforcement training, programmatic costs would be reduced. However, without this training, Park Rangers can only act in the capacity of an unarmed security guard, giving them no authority beyond that of a citizen. As a result, those in the community using city parks for criminal activity may compromise the Rangers' safety. It is important to remember that the City has experienced minimal success when using civilian city employees as "security" at the West Covina Skate Park upon its initial opening in 2002. City personnel were the subjects of threats, taunting, and a general lack of respect from those in the community determined to disrupt lawful use of the facility. Trying to maintain order was nearly impossible and, at times, an unsafe task. If the City were to consider a Park Ranger program, it is recommended that a 7-person crew be hired to provide the following coverage for parks, paseos, trails, and other city property: 2 Rangers 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 4 Rangers 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. 1 Ranger Varied hours for special projects and vacation/sick leave coverage. The annual full-time personnel costs for a seven -person civilian Park Ranger crew would total an estimated $500,346 including benefits. It is important to note that these civilians would not have the same arrest powers as sworn officers. Additional costs will include uniforms, vehicles, fuel, personal safety equipment, training, and general office supplies or equipment. In addition to the safety and educational components, Rangers would be required to perform collection and removal of trash or debris. If this were combined with the assistance of maintenance personnel wearing uniforms similar to park rangers, the problems associated to trash in city parks could be eliminated. Currently, the City Council is reviewing a salary increase for certain maintenance positions. It is believed that the increase in salary may help the Public Works Department find interested candidates for six department vacancies that currently exist. Staff also took the opportunity to investigate additional alternatives to the Park Ranger Program that might provide other approaches to addressing council direction. There are two other alternatives to creating a Park Ranger progam. ALTERNATIVES: The City Council may: 1) Hire private security guards during the hours mentioned above. It should be noted that hiring security personnel may provide the public with a feeling of safety while using the facility, but it may lack the educational element that makes the Park Ranger a welcome addition to the city's efforts to improve safety and enjoyment of parks. In addition, while private security personnel are trained and in many cases armed, they do present challenges to law enforcement. They do not possess the powers of arrest that may be afforded a Park Ranger or Police Officer who has completed academy training. It is estimated that the annual cost for a private security company to provide the same level of coverage as the seven -person Park Ranger program would be approximately $504,000 annually. 2) Hire four additional police officers to form a Park and Commercial Enforcement Patrol Team. This team could be responsible for city parks as well as major commercial areas. Advantages to the formation of this unit are that they would be fully trained police officers and available to augment patrol functions in the event of an emergency. Their hours of operation would be flexible and at the disc ion of the Department and issues facinf the City at the time. They would be deployed in specially marked "Park Ranger" designed vehicles and could be in a distinctive uniform. The Police Department would have oversight of training, deployment, and functional supervision of this team. As this team would be made up of police officers, they could handle to conclusion any enforcement situation they encountered. Because the officers are armed, are communicating directly with our dispatch, and have been fully trained, this is arguably the alternative that best addresses public safety. There would be a minimal amount of costs associated with initial equipment outlay and the program could be implemented in the least amount of time. Ongoing officer training is already in place. A program such as this could also be augmented with trained volunteers to further enhance the West Covina park experience and the overall feeling of safety for those using the facility. The addition of four police officers would cost approximately $500,000 annually including salary and benefits. Police Department grant funding may be available for vehicle purchases. FISCAL IMPACT: It is estimated that the annual full-time personnel costs for a seven -person Park Ranger crew would total an estimated $500,346 including benefits. Additional costs will include uniforms, vehicles, fuel, personal safety equipment, training, and general office supplies or equipment. The estimated annual cost for a private security company to provide identical coverage (Alternative #1) would be approximately $504,000 annually. The addition of four new Police Officers positions (Alternative #2) would cost approximately $500,000 annually including salary and benefits. Police Department grant funding may be available for vehicle purchases. Funding for any of the above alternatives may be provided through use of General Fund reserves and/or through CDC funds. (For commercial areas) Any of the alternatives listed would require an appropriation from City Reserves. It is recommended that a three-year funding appropriation be made to ensure the initial success of the program. Prepared by: Mark Dettor Lieutenant Reviewed and Approved by: `J2 "FtAk-1. Wills Chief of Police Michele McNeill Shann uchzee Corn1hunity Services Directo Public Works Director