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r
<br /> 1937 Service to the Leisure Professional for 51 years
<br /> 1988 1 \
<br /> itik
<br /> UP
<br /> April, 1988
<br /> Eagan Youth Assist Park Patrol
<br /> by John VonDeunde
<br /> - installed. Strobe lights and sirens were
<br /> In January, Department the Eagan Parks and removed(for obvious reasons).
<br /> Recreation and Police The Parks Ranger Explorer Program be
<br /> enhance
<br /> s began aerviceorative effort to came fully operational in June of 1987. By
<br /> enhance security services in municipal �'� �;'� `� this time participants were anxious to get
<br /> parks. Staff increasingly recognized that "behind the wheel"and begin their work in
<br /> rapid urbanization of the community, y err`; assisting park visitors. In light of their
<br /> `' enthusiasm, managers from oth depart-
<br /> police
<br /> coupled with accelerated growth of thelovers
<br /> parks system, was making itpark
<br /> sedifficult fors _ ments emphasized the role of thetoof the
<br /> s . -ogres the level of park services as public servants.The primary'goals desired. Progressively,the focus of patrol ro ram were: to provide information to
<br /> ppvisitors, enhance visibilityeinof police
<br /> activity was"shifting"towards the provision .-_emitpark
<br /> of "essential services" in residential and �;!� „ patrol i i parks, h collect information on
<br /> •
<br /> commereial sectors of the City.As a result ! -�4 . 7-7--1
<br /> --- o f park usage,and develop an enhancedgandob
<br /> of this trend,staff from both departments : ' timely program for communicating p
<br /> worked cooperatively to evaluate new z' ''' lems to the Police Department. As an
<br /> <-`' ",F ongoing training effort, parnent. is are
<br /> methodsforupgradingpublicrelationsand i ..:,.•-..,.. • .- c---.,.,-..
<br /> reminded to use common sense and
<br /> �ne ofte services in parks.
<br /> ne of the more innovative ideas,result- •� � judgment In their activities and to avoid
<br /> ing from these discussions, Involved the > ' -= . conflicts with the public.By program design
<br /> - -1- ="-� }t.*',.' "positive"gravisitor
<br /> concept of utilizing the Policeo Department'sce their role is to create
<br /> "YOUTH EXPLORER"yoProgram. Police
<br /> began theprocess of esta- relations and to serve as a communication
<br /> Explorers are young men and women,ages departments channel to Police authorities.
<br /> 14 to 21,who have an interest In pursuing biishing goals, detailing training activities. Since the inceptionoaut oripatrol activities
<br /> law enforcement as a career.Youth partid- and coordinating other logistics.The Police inn June,the Ranger Explorerfthe Program has
<br /> pants serve on a voluntary basis and assist Department initiated a strong marketing overwhelming
<br /> ce
<br /> the Police Department in a wide rangeeof community colleges, high resulting Inools and 30 new inthe community.success
<br /> thesand lastt six months,
<br /> community services including the CityExplorers have the Eagan Park
<br /> Bloodmobile Program,July 4th celebration, recruits to the program.Of these,15 youthemore monitored resulting p in
<br /> nearly3 on hours thanpatrol.0 daysAlmon 3,000patrolgIn
<br /> services to "shut-ins", as well as "non- were ultimately selected to particlpa Y
<br /> miles have been logged on the
<br /> uniform" details. In return for their value- the first phase of the Park Patrol Program.
<br /> teerism, participants gain the value of Initial training and education focused pri
<br /> - nen ofs observed ordinance violations
<br /> making new friendships, developing self- relations.TrainingTral nng olpacs included:respond- vehicle.
<br /> hic� As a result of their work the fre-
<br /> confidence, gaining newe insight aboutnal im or
<br /> law enforcement to assist them with making ng to injuries and emergencies,interpreting responded
<br /> eased bygnificantolyc Eq Department,
<br /> rtmpen ,
<br /> successful career choices. The Explorers park rules and regulations,communicating
<br /> has reduced appreciably, despite the
<br /> are also rewarded through recreational with ondin Dispatchers,
<br /> o divan eobserving
<br /> tions tart,the magnitude of observed vand ism
<br /> outings,banquets,e aAd formal recognition. resp g accelerated growth of park facilities and
<br /> d
<br /> In March, the Advisory Parks and disseminating rk vistors,ation to the and g increased use e.In addition,many p
<br /> Recreation Commission offered
<br /> their final assisting pa
<br /> communicating useage.
<br /> vandalism, and public use. public, both In the field and at City Hall.
<br /> review and concurrence to proceed with with department staff on issues related to five comments have been heard from the
<br /> the "Explorer in o Parks" program as Local media have also been active n the
<br /> cooperative effort between the Parks/ Concurrent with the training program,staff and authored several supe
<br /> planninge
<br /> for the provision of uniforms, articles in local newspapers.
<br /> Recreation and Police Departments.They of the two departments began logisticalprogram
<br /> torecognizetogether"
<br /> o e the need for a "comingncto car,scheduling and associated writ- As a result of these efforts, the Eagan
<br /> of the two departments to patrolParks and Recreation Department believes
<br /> apparent caps and jackets,were purchased for each that it has developed a program which
<br /> heighten the effectiveness of"police"nisi- ten forms.Uniforms,Including pants,shirts, better serves the needs of park visitors.The
<br /> bilityaIn park settings. Ita seemed rkviand the
<br /> hat the Explorer Program could provide an Park Explorer with donations from local visual presence of parks patrol
<br /> effective, low cost, support service to businesses.A used,surplus squad car was
<br /> enhancearksr the Police De relations.
<br /> role in converted for two way comks muRniiinger"cation enforrcemen officials has helped toh law
<br /> create
<br /> parks protection and visitor relations. vehicle
<br /> To initiate the program,staff of the two radio to the Police Department was (continued on page 7)
<br /> A Publication of the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association
<br />
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