City public-safety report shows rise in park arrests, names hotspots

At the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting on March 3, Lieutenant Jonathan Burdette of the City of Las Vegas Department of Public Safety presented January 2026 data showing a 6.6% year‑to‑date increase in arrests and citations in city parks and recreation centers compared with the same period in 2025.

Burdette listed the top locations for arrests and citations as JC Levitt (15), Kellogg’s Air Park (12), Lorenzi Park (10), Angel Park (8) and Gary Reese Freedom Park (8). He said the most common violations were remaining in the park after hours, unlawful presence in a children’s park, lodging without consent, misuse of park amenities and alcohol/park‑rules violations. “Year to date, arrest and citations in city parks and rec centers increased by 6.6% compared to the same time frame of 2025,” he told the commission.

The lieutenant gave ward‑level detail, saying Ward 1 reported 27 year‑to‑date arrests and citations and a 44.5% increase attributed to greater presence in parks; Ward 2’s year‑to‑date total of 24 represented a 242.9% increase that Burdette attributed largely to increased traffic and patrol activity in and around Kellogg’s Air and Angel Park; Ward 3’s year‑to‑date total was 51 and had decreased 8.6% versus last year; Ward 6’s year‑to‑date arrests were 8, a 100% increase, which Department staff also linked to increased patrols.

Commission members did not press for additional follow‑up during the meeting. Chair Richard Becker thanked Burdette for the report and noted the commission would continue to monitor safety and maintenance matters in conjunction with parks staff.

There was no public comment tied to the report at the meeting and no formal action was taken on the presentation.