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Commission asks staff to draft ordinance to regulate grills, tents and large gatherings at DeGroff Park
Summary
Police and recreation staff told the City Commission that resident complaints about barbecues, pop-up tents and long stays at DeGroff Park show the city lacks a targeted enforcement tool; the commission directed administration to return with ordinance options distinguishing passive parks from active parks.
Police and recreation officials told the Lighthouse Point City Commission that residents near DeGroff Park have reported repeated large gatherings, portable grills, pop-up tents and parking problems, and that current city code does not clearly allow targeted enforcement at passive parks.
"We've been providing extra patrols, walk-throughs of the park and monitoring street parking," Police Chief O'Carlo said, describing warnings given to visitors and an incident where an officer issued a park citation for exceeding a two-hour limit. Recreation Director Ricky Ward said the city’s ordinance does not currently distinguish passive neighborhood parks from active parks used for sports and events, and asked for direction on whether staff should prepare regulatory language.
City Attorney Cirillo advised that, without a specific ordinance, enforcement options are limited. He explained the typical municipal process: file a citation and municipal information, which can open a misdemeanor case in county court; prosecuting municipal violations requires city resources and, in some jurisdictions, an on-call attorney if the public defender does not represent municipal defendants. "Without something to point to that says 'you shall not,' the officer can't require someone to stop," he said.
Commissioners and residents pressed staff on practical tools and scope. Suggestions included creating a targeted rule that bans large pop-up tents, limits group sizes without a permit, or prohibits barbecues and alcohol in passive parks; staff noted some parks already post dog rules and hours but lack a sign-posted prohibition for these activities. Chief O'Carlo said the department’s goal is compliance and that an ordinance would provide the ‘‘teeth’’ necessary if visitors refuse to disperse.
The commission asked administration to bring back suggested ordinance language and options at a future meeting, including whether to apply rules only to DeGroff Park or to the city’s other small passive parks (cited examples: Wayne’s Park and the park at the end of Sanibel). The chair said staff should return with proposed code language and signage plans at the next feasible meeting.
The commission did not vote on an ordinance tonight; members signaled support for staff to draft options and return for formal consideration.
