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Police report: extra patrols at South Gate parks reduce visible drinking, officers urge callers to use emergency lines for crimes
Summary
City police reported increased overtime patrols at South Gate parks, focused on South Gate Park and Hollydale Regional Park, and discussed limits to enforcement for non‑emergency public drinking and transient-related issues.
South Gate police told the Parks and Recreation Commission on April 10 that overtime patrols focused on South Gate Park and Hollydale Regional Park have reduced visible drinking and lingering transient activity but that legal limits constrain some enforcement.
The department’s representative, Lieutenant Correa, told the commission the city has assigned overtime officers to park patrols since early March and that officers have made numerous contacts and a small number of citations. “We have been having extra patrol detail… mainly focusing on South Gate Park because that’s where we have the majority of visitors,” Correa said.
Correa described one recent arrest after a park ranger was struck by a scooter and and reported damage to a patrol vehicle. He said most contacts result in people moving on rather than arrests and that the department has also supported large events without major incidents.
Commissioners and attendees asked how the public should report problems. Correa said the city app accepts tips but is not monitored in real time and that callers should phone the nonemergency line or 911 when a crime or safety threat is occurring. “If there’s a crime happening at the moment, obviously it would be a phone call… 911 in emergencies,” Correa said. He added that the app is useful for non‑urgent tips that officers can investigate later.
Commissioners raised recurring concerns about people using single‑occupancy restroom facilities for bathing, drug use or camping. Correa and parks staff said their approach mixes enforcement for criminal conduct and offers of services for people experiencing homelessness. “We try to get some resources and get them at a place outside of the park,” Correa said, while noting many people contacted decline services and later return.
Commissioners asked for data to show the patrol detail’s effect. Correa agreed the department logs calls for service and said staff could produce a parks‑specific quarterly report on calls and responses.
The commission voted to receive and file the police oral report at the meeting.
