ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND

RELATED TO PETS IN PARKS

March 29, 2013
ENFORCEMENT OPTIONS
I.

Park Patrol:
a. Full-time: The Parks Division currently has two full-time park control officers. These officers work
from 4:00pm to Midnight May 1st to October 31st. One is scheduled for Sunday through Thursday.
The other is scheduled for Tuesday through Saturday. These employees are incorporated into the
parks division workforce in the winter months, from 7am to 3pm Monday through Friday. There is
no park patrol enforcement from November to May. The two full time park patrol officers serve as
park Maintenance Workers from November through May. The two full-time park patrol employees
are trained law enforcement officers that have attended and passed the Police Academy.
b. Seasonal: The division also has 3 long term seasonal park rangers. These employees work from
May 1st through October 31st. They assist the full-time staff from 4:00pm to midnight and also
work a weekend shift from 8:00am to 4:00pm. There is always one seasonal employee working with
the full time park patrol officers from Saturday to Monday on the 4PM to midnight shift. From
Tuesday to Thursday there is no seasonal staff working due to both full time park patrol officers
working the 4PM to midnight shift. The 8AM to 4PM shift on weekends is normally covered by one
of the seasonal employee.
Currently the seasonal park rangers are not able to issue citations. In speaking with the
Assistant City Attorney, Crenna Brumwell, these seasonal could be authorized by the City Manager
to issue citations per AP 6.02. The pay-scale for seasonal employees will not change if they are
authorized by the City to issue citations. This is per Randy Peck, Personnel Manager.

II. Park Full-Time Employees: Full-time park employees could also be authorized to issue citations.
However, it was highly recommended by the Assistant City Attorney, Crenna Brumwell, not to authorize
full-time park employees. In discussing the process with parks patrol, it would take 15 to 30 minutes
out of these employees regular work schedules per citation, if they were to be authorized.
III. Animal Control Division: Animal control currently has two officers. Both of these positions are 29 hour
positions. These employees work from 9:00am to 7:30pm Monday through Friday during summer
months and 8:00am to 6:00pm Monday through Friday during the winter months. They also work
Saturday mornings throughout the year.
IV. Police: Police Chief, Mark Dalsing, said an animal call in the park would be a Code 3. This could get
increased up to a Code 2 or a Code 1, if the animal was considered aggressive. See the chart below
for code priority:
Code
1

Response Goal
3 Minutes

6 Minutes

30 Minutes
60 Minutes to End
of Shift

Dispatch Priority
Dispatched Immediately
Dispatched Immediately, when territory unit or adjacent territory unit is
available.
Dispatched when units are available allowing for adequate reserves.
Dispatched when units are available, allowing for adequate reserves and
to be handled in a timely manner or at least by the end of the shift.

CODE RESPONSE:
1. EMERGENCY RESPONSE: Proceed to scene immediately, using emergency equipment (lights & siren) as
appropriate. Response may be delayed only when life is threatened to a higher degree.
2. RAPID RESPONSE: Proceed to scene immediately, ensuring safe operation of the patrol vehicle, with due
regard for the safety of all persons. The use of emergency equipment (lights, with siren optional) shall be
limited and used only when necessary to make response timely. Response may be delayed when hazards
requiring action are observed.
3.

NORMAL RESPONSE: Proceed to the scene as soon as possible, obeying all posted traffic regulations.
Response may be delayed for normal public safety actions, if response would not be seriously affected.

4. DELAYED RESPONSE: Proceed to the scene in a timely manner before the end of the shift. Response may be
delayed for any routine problem judged by the officer to require attention

ENFORCEMENT ISSUES TO CONSIDER

I.

II.

III.

IV.

V.

Caught in the act: The most difficult enforcement issue is catching the pet and owner in the act.
Most calls related to dog problems ends with the dog and owner being gone upon arrival. Having
only two park patrol vehicles , 48 parks and 29 miles of trails creates response times to calls that
does not allow catching a dog or person in the act. This statement holds true if the ordinance stays
the same and the call is made for a dog in the park.
No tolerance: The city council has suggested a no tolerance policy. This means there would be
no warnings. This would include citing tourists and visitors to the city that may not know the rules
and regulations regarding pets in parks.
Municipal infractions: All citations issued would be municipal infractions. Currently, municipal
infractions would be written with a fine of up $750.00 and a court fee of $85.00. A second offense
would be written with a fine of up to $1000.00 and court fee. A major issue with these infractions is
that the person must first show up in court. This would be onerous for a tourist to come back. It
also means that park patrol officers may also have to be in court during hours that they are not
regularly scheduled for.
Volunteer enforcement team: Discussion was raised to possibly have an ambassador program to
promote the new pets in park regulations. Dog groups would educate pet owners and promote
responsible pet etiquette in parks and on trails.
Distance rule: Attempting to enforce a distance rule has its challenges. As a park patrol vehicle
approaches an area, the person with the pet could simply move out of the area quickly and then
move back inside the area after the park patrol vehicle has passed by or left the park. Also, since
many play equipment structures are irregular shapes, there could be many discrepancies on
distances. Other cities, (ex. Iowa City) have posted signs around their play equipment with a map of
the area outlining the distance.

COSTS

Current Cost in Budget

Description

Cost

Photo

Pet waste boxes

Pet waste bags

$90.00
$1,200.00 annually

Proposed Cost
Description
Pet waste station (with
receptacle)
Pet waste station bags
Signage with Rules:
12 x 18
18 x 24
24 x 36

Sign post

Cost
$170.00 each

Photo

$40.00 (800 bags)

$15.00 each
$40.00 each
$60.00 each

$30.00 each

EDUCATION IDEAS
I.

City Focus

II.

Neighborhood Newsletter

III.

Utility bill inserts

IV.

Short program or commercial on Public Access Channel

V.

Ambassador program

References: Internal Working Group: Housing, COPS, Police, Fire, Planning, City Attorney, Neighborhood
group, Library.
Prepared by Steve Fehsal, Park Division Manager