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Mitre -Ramirez, Norma From: Huizar, Maria Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2015 4:40 PM To: Mitre -Ramirez, Norma Cc: Trujillo, Rose Ann; Orozco, Norma; Alcala, Abigail; Gerardo, Abigail Subject: FW: Park Ranger Program Please add to correspondence. From: Lopez, Mike Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2015 4:38 PM To: 'Rip Ribble' Cc: Huizar, Maria; Mitre -Ramirez, Norma Subject: FW: Park Ranger Program According to the Clerk's Office, you need to forward this email to Maria Huizar or Norma Mitre - Ramirez. They will print it out as handouts for the Council. This is their policy. Thank you. From: Rip Ribble[ Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2015 2:00 PM To: Lopez, Mike Subject: Park Ranger Program Unfortunately, I am unable to attend tonight's City Council Meeting. I would like to have someone read my message to the City Council, To: Members of the Santa Ana City Council From: Rip Ribble, former Exec. Dir. of the City's Parks, Rec. & Community Services Agency Subj: Park Rangers Program As the past Exec. Director of the City's Parks, Rec. & Community Services Agency, I took a personal pride on the work and services provided by the Park Rangers Program. Prior to beginning the Program, which was established prior to my coming to the City, many of our 40 Parks were overrun with gangs and gang activities. Those that we serve were afraid to be in the parks at night, few attended the Parks after-school or on the weekends. I clearly remember the day that Mike Lopez, our Parks Superintendent, and I ,were visiting Alona Park to share a sack lunch and to discuss any necessary repairs or improvements to that particular park. As we finished lunch and were heading back to my car, two vehicles were arriving, and I thought to myself, if l didn't know better, they sure look like gang members. Upon returning to the Department, we learned that two gangs had just met at the Park, to settle a fight that occurred earlier that day at a continuation school. Two gang members were shot, one died later that day. To this day, I wonder that happened to the two ladies swinging their kids on the park swing, and what happened to the man and three boys that were playing over -the -line on the softball field. The City has thousands of residents and the majority of those have children. They need the Parks and it's our responsibity to keep the Parks as safe and sound as possible. CCM 02/03/2015 65C