Exh 8CAGIrNDA ITiJNI #SC
NOViJNIBiJR 14, 2005
STAFF REPORT
City of Atlantic Beach
Commission Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: Park Rules and Safety
DATE: October 24, 2005
i
SUBMITTED BY: David E. Thom, Chief of Police/DPS
BACKGROUND:
The City has received a number of complaints regarding people who violate park rules in the
public parks of Atlantic Beach. There, are signs posted in Bull Park prohibiting
' skateboarding, but people use tfieir skateboards in Bull Park on a daily basis. There are rules
. , at the new skate park requiring that helmets be worn by everyone skating at the park, but
there are frequently violators who ignore the rules. There are also people who violate other
' ' rules, bit the most visible and the most frequent complaints relate to skating.
At the present time, city staffmembers and the police officers are very limited when trying to
enforce the rules. Offenders recognize that the Parks and Recreation Staffdoes not have any
real authority, and the police officers can do very little when officers see violations. There
is no violation of the law, and this means that the police are limited to giving warnings. The
offenders know that there are no consequences to continued violations, so they continue to
violate the rules.
Additionally, there are offenders who have been arrested for criminal offenses in the parks,
and those offenders return to the parks. Currently, there is no mechanism to bar someone
from the park, even after they have committed a criminal offense in the park.
Recently, Jacksonville has recognized some of the same problems in their parks, and they are
considering local legislation to address some of these issues. (See Attachment)
If Atlantic Beach wants to provide Parks and Recreation Staff and Police Officers with the
' authority to address these problems, then the City Commission will need to consider
legislation that empowers city employees to respond effectively.
' BUDGET: NONE
RECOMMENDATIONS: To consider additions to the City Code to deal with the
' enforcement of park rules, and to address people who have committed criminal violations in
the parks.
ATTACHMENTS: October 21, 2005 Editorial from Florida Times Union
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER:
AGE ITEM NUMBER:
AGENDA ITEM #8C
NOVEMBER 14, 2005
~~~~oe~~~ ~it~e5~~~-i~~
CARL NEIL CANNON
.Publisher -
PATRICK A.YACK ~ ROBERT E. MARTIN
Editor General Manager
MICHAEL RICHEY MICHAEL P. CLARK
Managing Editor - Editorial Page Editor
Jacksonville, Friday, October 21, 2005 www.jacksonville.com
~~4~~ ,
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acl<sonville's 386 parks are otherwise designated, like at parks
-~ ~ cursed with vandalism that that have floodlights. Destruction
~~ costs taxpayers hundreds of of park property is illegal. It also is
thousands of dollars a year. against the law to allow your pet to
In April, Cuba Hunter Parrs new swim in the waters of any park or
gymnasium and community other recreational facility. Failure
center was damaged before rt even to remove animal waste from
opened. In July, eight soccer fields parks is also considered an
were damaged at Earl Johnson offense.
P,~Iemorial Park, shortly after two Trespass warnings will probably
other soccer fields were vandalized have the most impact. If a person
at Losco Regional Park. Vandalasm is arrested based upon probable
(~ ~ also occurred at the Southside cause that they have weapons or
Tennis Courts. firearms, have committed sexual
The incidents have left city battery, engaged in prostitution, or
leaders reeling and have forced have part? cipated in lewd or
.. _ ; • action.
:The City Council is drafting a law indecent exposure; or any felony
~ a parl<, the Jacksonville Sheriff's
- i ~~ .: ~ that would allow park rules to be
enforced by police officers. The bill Office will issue a trespass warning
and then ban that person from all
is in committee and is being city parks, beaches, docks,
presented around Jacksonville to
the six Citizens Planning Advisory
~ marinas or other recreational
facilities for one year.
Committees.
~ In the ast, rules have been used Those arrested for arson or
criminal mischief wiL be issued a
more as guidelines by those
frequenting the parks. That's not trespass warning and banned from
~ going to happen anymore, park the particular parkwhere the
offense occurred for one year.
( officials say. ~
Breaking some new rules would Appeals can be made.
be punishable by fines reaching as
'i high as $500, between 50 and 500 This is a law that will make a
difference in our community.
community service hours and Parks serve our entire community
..( anywhere between 15 to 90 days in
-___;: __jail, dependingon the severity_of from the young to the old. They
need to be kept clean and safe for
_ _ _
` ~-= breaking the law . -.-. .._... all tivho attend: Council members - -~
Under the new law, park hours _ _.. . _should rushao pass_this law so our
-
..._.
- --are changing: Parks are now-open -- -~ ~police_officers~an officially get to - -_-
I frnm s>>nrisp t~ Sunset. unless workin ourparks... ______. .. ___._