Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Park Security topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Garland parks staff describes after‑hours police patrols, fence and camera plans to reduce overnight problems
Summary
Parks staff told the Garland Parks and Recreation Advisory Board that off‑duty police patrols check park restrooms and patrol about 25 parks nightly, and that fencing and security cameras are planned but long‑term funding must be found.
Carrie, a parks staff member, told the Garland Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Sept. 3 that the department has partnered with the Garland Police Department for nightly security checks to reduce after‑hours problems at parks.
"It's a shift that's about 3 hours long. They do this between 10PM and 4AM, 7 days a week," Carrie said, describing officers' overtime shifts to check restroom locks and patrol parks.
The board heard the partnership has officers perform physical checks of restroom locks and visit an average of 25 parks each night. Staff said officers report three categories of issues: facility problems (tampered locks or malfunctioning electronic locks), after‑hours gatherings (groups drinking and loud music), and varied officer actions such as assisting a person trapped in a restroom.
Parks staff outlined near‑term infrastructure responses to recurring problems: completion of a perimeter fence at the skate park, installation of cameras at priority sites (Rick Oden Park and Central Park), and improved signage to make hours enforceable. Staff said fiber and power are in place at camera poles and the department is obtaining quotes for camera equipment.
"The fence at the skate park should be done by end of month or mid October is what we're targeting," Carrie said. Staff also said camera installation timing depends on vendor quotes and availability.
Board members asked operational questions: which restrooms have automatic locks, who monitors cameras, and whether resource officers patrol parks during school hours. Carrie said many newer prefab restrooms have powered automatic locks and that park staff (for example Carrie and park managers) will have access to recorded camera footage used for investigations; feeds are not routed to 911. Another staff member explained the city uses school resource officers to periodically patrol areas near Garland schools, noting resource officers sometimes increase presence when school‑related incidents spike.
Funding for the police partnership is a central uncertainty. Staff said the original funding was one‑time money that is not automatically renewed. "We asked to continue this program. It was a one time request that was funded last year, and so we asked for it again. But this year, it was not funded," one staff member said. Department leaders said they are exploring internal budget options, grant opportunities and other external partnerships to sustain the program, and that partial coverage (fewer nights per week) may be possible if full funding cannot be found.
The board discussed maintenance reporting: officers notify parks staff about malfunctioning locks, graffiti and other maintenance needs so repairs can occur more quickly. Staff also referenced Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles — such as increased natural surveillance, fencing and regular maintenance — as part of the broader prevention strategy.
Board members asked for follow‑up at future meetings on the program's sustainability and on the effectiveness of new fencing and cameras once installed. Staff said they expect the skate‑park fence and some camera installations to be completed within the calendar year, contingent on funding and vendor schedules.
