Scurry County limits overnight camping to designated sites, clarifies trespass authority

Scurry County commissioners moved to limit overnight camping in county parks to designated areas and times and to formalize who can request criminal trespass enforcement for county‑owned facilities. The change requires reservations through the parks department for specified events and calls for signage and permit display to aid enforcement.

The court identified two recurring exceptions for overnight camping: the annual Fish‑a‑thon (designated as the south side of the pond) and July 3–4 (east of the dam). Commissioners said vendors who hold Chamber permits will be exempt from the reservation requirement. "No camping in [the] park except designated times," Speaker 1 told the court when summarizing the policy the group accepted.

On enforcement, the court discussed recurring incidents of people refusing to leave county buildings and parks. Several members said department heads or elected officials should have authority to request criminal trespass notices for their premises, with law enforcement responding when necessary. Speaker 7 (Judge Reese) emphasized the need for clear, consistent rules to avoid a defense that a county employee lacked authority to ask someone to leave.

Commissioners directed staff to: post signage at park entrances stating "no overnight camping without a permit," publish reservation procedures on the county website, and provide a simple process for department heads to notify law enforcement. The motion to adopt the reservation‑based approach was seconded and recorded as approved by the court.

The change does not create a new criminal penalty; rather, it clarifies times, places and administrative steps for when county staff or designees should notify police or the sheriff's office. Staff were asked to return to the court with any necessary ordinance language or formal resolution if legal counsel recommends formal codification.