HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Statement 1977/12/20 Item 24 Item No. 24
December 20, 1977
Ordinance 1778
Vandalism � IIY UF CHULA VISTA Z4
�. �° .- COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMEyT � Ite� Niz zo%�i'�
I • � For meeting of 1��'f-�
Report on P,rogram for Controlling Vandalism
ITEM TITLE 'b) Resolution . Establishing a $100 Reward for Information Leading to the
Arrest and Conviction of Vandals in City Parks and Appropriating Funds Therefor
' �a) Ordinance #1778: Amending Sections 2.66. 120 and 2.66.270 of the Chula Vista
y Municipal Code Relating to Speed Limits in Parks and Park Closing Hours
SUBMITTED BY Director of Parks and RecreationF/! S[COivD ?Er,DIiv�G, A�'VD ADOPTION
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ITEM EXPLANATION . (4/5TH'S VOTE REQUIRED YES X NO )
In accordance with Council action on November 3, 1977, staff has been pursuing the prepara-
tion of a program to control vandalism by various means available to the City. Through a
series of ineetings, staff recommends the City Council consider the following actions as
initial steps toward developing an overall program to deal with the problem: The six major
areas we feel need immediate attention are:
l . Legislative action involving minor amendments to existing
park rules and regulations.
2. Authorizing a reward system for information leading to the arrest
and conviction of vandals. .
. 3. Active and persistent pursuit in the prosecution of all apprehended
vandals through the judicial systems.
4. Intensified police visibility. .
5. Use of security resident at various parks.
6. Intensified public awareness/education program throughout the
community.
LEGISLATION
Reviewing Ordinance No. 1179 (relating to rules and regulations in the use of Parks &
Recreation facilities) , we found authority to close City parks at 12:00 midnight and
another provision, among others, gave the Police authority to regulate vehicular speeds
within City parks only when that speed appeared to be excessive. We are recommending that
- the speed limit for all vehicles within City parks not exeeed 15 miles per hour and that
EXHIBITS conti u d Qn gup 1 roe tal Pag 2
Agreement_ Resolution X Ordinance X Plat_ �o�ificatio�i gis�_
Other X ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT: Attached Submitted on
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Appropriation of the sum-_ef 31 ;000_ from the unappropriated balance of the General Fund
and transfer to Account No. -T00,0105=5441
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Accept report; adopt ordinance and resolution.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECONPIENDATION .
COUNCIL ACTION
Placed on first reading 12/13/77
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. _ Supplemental Page 2
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Item No. __��_�>�= 24
a 10:30 p.m. closing time be authorized. Staff believes the early closing time wiil not
adversely affect any legitimate recreational activity, but will be helpful in curbing
late evening vandalism.
' REWARD PROGRAM
The possibility of establishing a reward for information leading to the arrest and convic-
tion of vandals in City parks was discussed at the City Council Conference on November 3,
1977. While staff does not believe such a program is a panacea, we believe it may stimulate
the public to provide information that may assist in controlling vandalism to some degree.
We are, therefore, recommending the adoption of a resolution which would establish a $100
reward for such information and, in addition, appropriating the sum of y1 ,000 to fund this
program for the balance of this fiscal year.
PROSECUTION OF VANDALS
While the courts will have to assist the City in implementing this program, staff believes
an intensive effort by the City to seek throu9h the courts prosecution of and retribution
from the parents and/or juvenile offenders could prove to be a great deterrent in the
amount of vandalism occurring.
INTENSIFIED ENFORCEMENT
With the legislative action closing the parks at 10:30, staff intends to post the new I
rules and regulations and increase police visibility and stricter enforcement of all
park rules and regulations. It is the Police Department' s intention to make periodic
sweeps through park areas, with particular emphasis on "hot spots" .
SECURITY RESIDENT
Recent discussion with Mr. Tucker, Business Manager for th? Sweetwater Union High School
District, has encouraged staff to pursue the use of security residents at City parks
as a means to control vandalism. We are enclosing with this report sample applications,
agreements, and other documents that would be used in a security resident program, and
are recortunending that Greg Rogers Park be used as a pilot location.
lnformation gathered from Mr. Tucker indicates that such a program on school grounds
has been considered successful and they are presently considerin9 adding security r.esidents
to other school sites. They indicated that applicants to fulfill such a role have not
been difficult to obtain. In general terms, the City would provide the prospective
security resident with a site within the park for locating his mobile home and construct
� a slab and driveway and fencing of the unit once it is placed in a park. The City would,
in addition, provide all utilities. In turn, the security resident would provide for his
own telephone, public liability insurance, maintenance of the mobile home site, and
provide constant surveillance of the park area. It would not be intended that the security
resident would take any direct police action, but would notify the Police, Fire or other
administrative agencies as the situation dictated. The agreement would provide that the
security resident must notify the City if he intended to be away from the area for more
than 24 hours and, if he intended to be away for an extended. period of time, would be
required to provide a substitute security resident during his absence.
PUBLIC A�dAREt�ESS/EDUCATION
Rer.ent publicity following Council ' s discussion of the vandalism problem has resulted
in a much greater awareness and response from the public than we have had in. the last
five years. Numerous meetings> phone inquiries, suggestions and other information from
the public is no4� bei,ng�, di9ested and a plan for a continous public awareness/educational
program is being formulated. The slide presentation made at the Council Conference is
being modified and will continue to be used in addressing many groups throughout the
cortmunity. In addition, a revised method of reporting acts of vandalism and the associated
costs in informing the public is being developed.
CONCLUSION
While the six specific suggestions are viewed as initial steps in an on-going program to
control vandalism, staff believes other measures will be developed as more and more public
input is obtained. We would intend to make additional su99estions and recormnendations
in the future.
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