City reports rise in park arrests, cites data-driven patrols at three hot-spot parks

Lieutenant Cheryl Manning of the Las Vegas Department of Public Safety reported to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission on Oct. 7 that arrests and citations at city parks and recreation centers rose to 2,459 year to date through September 2025, a 39.2% increase from the same period in 2024.

Manning said the increase reflects "deliberate increased officer presence and proactivity in enforcement efforts aimed at enhancing public safety in all city parks." She told commissioners the department has expanded a data-driven policing model it described as the COPRA curve strategy, which concentrates frequent, brief and randomized patrols in high-activity “hot spot” areas to deter criminal behavior.

The department identified Justice Levitt Family Park, Lorenzi Park and Kianga Asaka Palacio Park as current COPRA-curve locations. Manning said the largest single increases in activity were linked to intensified patrols at Gary Rees Park and the top five parks for citations or arrests were Justice Levitt, Lorenzi, Ethel Pearson, Gary Rees and Rafael Rivera. She listed the most common violations as remaining in a park after hours, unlawful presence in children's parks, misuse of park property or amenities, lodging without consent and outstanding warrants.

Commissioners asked for clarifications about enforcement procedures. Commissioner Bob Robinson (Ward 1) asked what "unlawful presence in a children's park" means; Manning said the city designates some parks for children only, generally limiting use to adults who are accompanied by a child aged 12 or younger, and that officers engage and explain park rules when they contact someone who does not meet that requirement. Manning said the department conducts records checks on people contacted to determine histories and repeat violations and that officers try to use the minimum level of enforcement needed, including warnings or citations.

Commissioner Jones (Ward 5) raised the connection between nearby homeless populations and high citation numbers at parks such as Lorenzi and Ethel Pearson. Manning said the department coordinates with outreach teams to connect people with services in addition to enforcement and that officers are directed to leave their vehicles and make personal contact during hot-spot patrols.

On ward-level breakdowns, Manning reported the following year-to-date totals (January–September 2025) and percent increases compared with the same period in 2024: Ward 1 — 316 citations/arrests (up 49.8%); Ward 2 — 128 (up from 50); Ward 3 — 1,144 (up from 766); Ward 4 — 57 (up 111%); Ward 5 — 770 (up 10.5%); Ward 6 — 44 (up 193.3%, though from a lower base). Manning cautioned that the meeting occurred early in October and future reports will include later-month data to ensure completeness.

Manning also summarized community-oriented policing activities and listed park events held and scheduled in September and October to foster officer-community relations. Commissioners praised the revised report format and asked for continued updates.

The commission did not take formal action on the report.