Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Parks topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Police describe park patrol changes, increased enforcement and request clearer park signage
Summary
Amarillo Police described a realignment to increase patrols in parks (May 28 realignment), a new gang unit and continuing traffic enforcement; police and parks staff said better, more prominent park signage and cameras should help enforcement.
The Amarillo Police Department briefed the Park and Recreation Board on changes intended to increase enforcement and visibility in city parks. The chief said the department realigned staff and went live with the new structure on May 28 to put "more boots on the ground," add a gang unit and maintain a traffic-enforcement focus.
"May 28 is when we went live with it and the whole purpose of what we were trying to do is bring more, well simply boots on the ground," the chief said. He reported officers have been spending more time in parks during evening and night shifts, writing citations and making arrests for after-hours gatherings and driving on turf.
Board members and staff discussed improving signage at park entrances to support enforcement. James Stowe (parks staff) said the department is auditing and replacing faded or out-of-date signs, reassigning an employee to lead sign removal/installation and coordinating signage text to include ordinance numbers where enforcement is required. The chief and staff also discussed using installed cameras and the Amarillo Area Prime Center monitoring capability to better direct officers; staff agreed to provide maps or consider giving monitored staff login access to control some park lighting remotely.
No formal policy vote was taken; staff will follow up on signage improvements, coordination with police and potential operational changes to lighting controls.
