BACKGROUND
At the December 13, 2017 City Commission meeting, a discussion regarding Collins Park and other park security concerns and the Park Ranger program was referred to the Finance and Citywide Projects (FCWP) Committee. On December 15, 2017, the item was deferred to the January 2018 FCWP Committee meeting. At said meeting, the committee members discussed the security concerns and decided to move the item, without a recommendation, to the full commission for consideration. The committee also directed the administration to engage in internal discussions between affected departments in order to identify areas where jurisdictional gaps may exist as it pertains to security concerns. Direction was also given to devise a stopgap plan that could be implemented this fiscal year.
Recently, various members of the community have expressed concern over the lack of security and enforcement at some of the City’s parks. The concerns have been focused on Collins Park, Soundscape Park, the South Pointe Park Pier, the Barry Kutun Boat Ramp in Maurice Gibb Memorial Park and the beachwalk. The Administration has reviewed these concerns and subsequently explored viable and effective options to address the needs at each site.
ANALYSIS
As part of the FY 2017/18 budget process, efficiencies and reductions were made, which included the reduction of contracted security guard coverage. As a result, contracted security guards were removed from Soundscape Park and the pier located within South Pointe Park. Since the reduction took place, the Administration has received concerns from the community as to a lack of security presence within these sites. To date, there has been an increase in the number of violations witnessed at these parks. With the rise in vagrant populations frequenting Collins Park, concerns have also been raised as to the need for security coverage there.
The Barry Kutun Boat Ramp (the “Boat Ramp”), located within Maurice Gibb Memorial Park, has also experienced a rise in illicit commercial activity since Park Ranger coverage ceased in October 2017. During prior years, aquatic operators utilized the ramp in furtherance of their commercial activities, including jet ski, boat, kayak and paddleboard rentals. Since the passing of an ordinance banning all commercial activity from taking place at the boat ramp in 2016, Park Rangers assisted in the enforcement of said ban through an overtime detail. However, in early October 2017, upon adoption of the FY 2017/18 budget, Park Ranger coverage at the boat ramp ceased as funding for said post was not included in the current budget. Illicit commercial activity at the boat ramp has since escalated. During its October 3, 2017 meeting, the Marine and Waterfront Protection Authority (MWPA) passed a motion urging the City Commission to appropriate funds for the permanent stationing of a Park Ranger at the boat ramp.
The Administration has taken steps to temporarily remedy the aforementioned issues, which include reestablishing a temporary daily Park Ranger post at the boat ramp; providing Park Ranger coverage at Collins Park during the recent holidays; and providing Park Ranger coverage at Soundscape Park during Wallcast concerts and other special events. In addition, Park Rangers posted at South Pointe Park have been spending a significantly greater amount of time patrolling the pier.
In furtherance of the direction provided during the January 19, 2018 FCWP Committee meeting, discussions took place between representatives from the Parks & Recreation, Police and Code Compliance departments. All departments agreed the addition of Park Rangers to the above mentioned parks would prove beneficial in alleviating existing security and enforcement concerns. The Police Department identified the beachwalk, between South Pointe Park Pier and 46th Street, as an area of need. The baywalk area northwest of South Pointe Park, between the park entrance adjacent to the Miami Beach Marina and north to the MacArthur Causeway, was also discussed as it was brought up during the FCWP Committee’s discussion. Both the Police and Code Compliance departments believe the area has not been active from a violation standpoint. Nevertheless, in response to resident complaints brought forth during the FCWP Committee meeting, the Police Department will direct its neighborhood resource officer (NRO) to more closely monitor the area.
Below are the suggested stopgap measures to be implemented during FY 2018, along with their associated costs. Additional measures for the remaining parks will be presented during the upcoming budget process for FY 2019.
Collins Park and Beachwalk from South Pointe Park Pier to 46th Street (Average of twelve hours of coverage, seven days per week)
Option 1 (Recommended): Addition of six new part-time Park Ranger positions and one new full-time Park Ranger Supervisor, resulting in 11,128 annual coverage hours ($376,000), inclusive of the purchase of two street legal golf carts
Option 2: Establishing a permanent overtime detail for Park Rangers, resulting in 8,736 annual coverage hours ($356,000), inclusive of the purchase of two street legal golf carts
Other Option:
- Reduce coverage at other parks and relocate some Park Rangers to the new sites
- This is the least favorable, but most cost effective, option. It would result in an estimated cost of $48,000. The additional cost would go toward the purchase of three street legal golf carts for Park Rangers to rove between parks. This option is not recommended as it would provide limited presence at these new sites, while significantly diminishing coverage at existing manned parks.
If the above recommended option is approved (Option 1), there would be no additional cost to the City, as there would be a savings of $376,000 from the elimination of current security guard services rendered for the beachwalk, from South Pointe Park Pier to 46th Street.