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Staff require photo ID for day passes after reports of large-stakes gambling at pickup basketball
Summary
Parks staff reported increased patrols and a new day-pass photo ID requirement after staff and regulars raised safety and behavior concerns tied to high-dollar gambling at pickup basketball sessions.
Parks staff told the commission Aug. 20 they have begun requiring a photo ID when buying a day pass at the 5 Oaks community center and that police have stepped up patrols after staff said they encountered large-sum gambling at pickup basketball sessions.
A parks staff member said the facility had been taking steps to remove people whose behavior was not appropriate for the public facility and that staff discovered they often did not have accurate names for those visitors. "So we started kicking them out. And when we learned in that process that we did not have their real names, the police department's working with us," the staff member said, explaining the center's new day-pass-photo-ID practice. The staff member said the change, combined with more frequent police checks, has “significantly improved the situation.”
Staff described the measure as a venue-safety and access-control step intended to protect regular customers and employees. The presentation said staff will escalate enforcement if needed, with trespass notices for repeat offenders. Commissioners discussed how the policy applies: staff said the requirement is for anyone purchasing a day pass; members with active membership records are not affected by the day-pass ID step.
Ending: Staff said the policy has reduced problem incidents and that the department will continue to coordinate with police and monitor whether further changes are needed.
