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REQUEST FOR <br />COUNCIL ACTION <br />FEBRUARY 3, 2015 <br />TITLE: <br />PARK RANGER /AMBASSADOR <br />PROGRAM POLICY OPTIONS AND <br />RECOMMENDATION FROM CITY <br />MANAGER {STRATEGIC PLAN NO. 1, 1B} <br />C/r1s',fi2.�s <br />CITY MANAGER <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: <br />APPROVED <br />❑ As Recommended <br />❑ As Amended <br />❑ Ordinance on 1s' Reading <br />❑ Ordinance on 2nd Reading <br />❑ Implementing Resolution <br />❑ Set Public Hearing For <br />CONTINUED TO <br />FILE NUMBER <br />City Manager recommendation of Option A is described below as well as two other options for <br />City Council consideration. <br />OPTIONS: <br />A. Begin the Park Ambassador Program and the Police Department's Park Enforcement <br />Liaison Program. <br />B. Continue the existing armed Park Ranger Program. <br />C. Begin recruitment of new armed Park Rangers such as retired Sheriff Deputies. <br />DISCUSSION <br />The Park Ranger Program began in 1981 and evolved from Rangers who carried no weapons to <br />Rangers carrying guns beginning in 1991. In the last 10 years, crime in the city including crime in <br />the parks has decreased. At the same time, the need to enhance customer relations with park <br />and recreation users and the ability to immediately report on needed repairs, graffiti removal, and <br />vandalism in the City's park and recreation facilities has increased. Quickly responding to park <br />and recreation customer needs is a key strategy in keeping the park system safe and wholesome <br />for the public. <br />In the last 12 years there were several recruitment efforts to hire retired Police Officers as part <br />time Park Rangers. Most of the applicants that applied and passed the background and got hired <br />were retired Police Officers from the Santa Ana Police Department. The City currently has five <br />20 -hour part time Park Rangers that carry guns and report to the Parks and Recreation Agency. <br />Four of the five Rangers are CalPERS retirees. In 2012 the City was put on notice by CalPERS <br />that CalPERS retirees cannot be hired for more than a short temporary basis. The average <br />employment service of the CaIPERS part time Park Rangers is seven and a half years. <br />65C -1 <br />