Laserfiche WebLink
Executive Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services Mouet <br />noted that rangers currently work 4 -5 hour shifts and have 2 rangers per <br />shift to oversee all parks. <br />Police Chief Rojas noted that Sergeant Garry Couso has been assigned to <br />oversee the parks and have support of police patrol staff. <br />Councilmember Tinajero, support dedicated police staff to patrol the <br />parks; increased visibility; support Option A and made substitute motion. <br />Councilmember Amezcua, asked if primary assignment will be to patrol <br />parks. <br />Mayor Pro Tern Sarmiento, noted that few armed park rangers are not in <br />the Police Department; concerned that one officer oversees all parks; <br />perception is important and concerned that carrying weapon without <br />proper training a liability; supports ambassador program with police <br />support. <br />Councilmember Reyna, asked how many officer positions are vacant; <br />need to have fully equipped staff to address issues; supports armed <br />rangers program; commented on recent Townsend Gang Injunction and <br />need for preventive programs. <br />Police Chief Rojas, noted that we have 300 vacant positions; calls would <br />be prioritized such as life- saving, in progress calls, drunk in public, etc. <br />Councilmember Martinez, commented that it was ok to have police <br />oversee ranger program; opined that community policing is park ranger <br />program; engagement and interaction is important; role of police officer <br />and ranger are different and need to make sure that officer has training <br />that deal with park issues; proposed 2 officers to cover peak hours; must <br />align with strategic plan; survey community. <br />Councilmember Tinajero, commented that residents have expressed <br />concern with elimination of park ranger program; gang injunction areas <br />already being patrolled by police department; safety, rapport and visibility <br />would be addressed by police officer presence. <br />Councilmember Reyna, noted that this was a retirement issue and not a <br />program issue; not a financial issue why need to revamp program; <br />program was working and no need to change. <br />Mayor Pulido, commented on options A and C; ranger program has <br />provided unique tool that is well integrated with police department; debate <br />now; opposed to change for the sake of change; reality is that police <br />schedules will be hard to integrate with park functions; supports Option C. <br />CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 20 JANUARY 20, 2015 <br />1 OA -20 <br />