From my column this week:
Where should city officials draw the line between safety in Long Beach's parks and putting up more signs than trees?
After a Memorial Day shooting during a family barbecue at Pan American Park, 5157 E. Centralia St., left two Compton residents wounded, that's an issue the City Council had to consider Tuesday. Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske had proposed that police be notified whenever a park-use permit is issued to a group of 25 or more people and that a public safety fee be charged to fund park rangers or other safety patrols.
To make sure that park-goers get the permit in the first place, as is currently required by law for large groups, Schipske wanted to put up signs notifying the public of the rules. More than 150 people had been at the May 31 family barbecue, which apparently was an 18-year tradition for which the group had never gotten a permit. The signs would also lay out the punishment that violators would face -- fines and being prohibited from using the park for one year.
"We're looking for an enforcement mechanism," Schipske said.
Some of Schipske's colleagues weren't sure about this idea -- both because of the arbitrary number of 25 and the prospect of more signs. Eighth District Councilwoman Rae Gabelich said that with 150 parks in Long Beach, putting up signs could get expensive.
"That's a lot of money to put that throughout all of the parks," Gabelich said.
Fourth District Councilman Patrick O'Donnell wondered about the permit requirements themselves.
"You get the O'Donnells together and you're at 25 pretty quick," he said. "Is 25 a decent threshold?"
Without some hefty fees, it might not be easy to pay for park rangers or other patrols to check on permits at all of the parks, O'Donnell said.
Schipske ultimately agreed to have the council receive a report from City Manager Pat West on how the permit and sign policy might work and then take a final vote on it at a later date.
Where should city officials draw the line between safety in Long Beach's parks and putting up more signs than trees?
After a Memorial Day shooting during a family barbecue at Pan American Park, 5157 E. Centralia St., left two Compton residents wounded, that's an issue the City Council had to consider Tuesday. Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske had proposed that police be notified whenever a park-use permit is issued to a group of 25 or more people and that a public safety fee be charged to fund park rangers or other safety patrols.
To make sure that park-goers get the permit in the first place, as is currently required by law for large groups, Schipske wanted to put up signs notifying the public of the rules. More than 150 people had been at the May 31 family barbecue, which apparently was an 18-year tradition for which the group had never gotten a permit. The signs would also lay out the punishment that violators would face -- fines and being prohibited from using the park for one year.
"We're looking for an enforcement mechanism," Schipske said.
Some of Schipske's colleagues weren't sure about this idea -- both because of the arbitrary number of 25 and the prospect of more signs. Eighth District Councilwoman Rae Gabelich said that with 150 parks in Long Beach, putting up signs could get expensive.
"That's a lot of money to put that throughout all of the parks," Gabelich said.
Fourth District Councilman Patrick O'Donnell wondered about the permit requirements themselves.
"You get the O'Donnells together and you're at 25 pretty quick," he said. "Is 25 a decent threshold?"
Without some hefty fees, it might not be easy to pay for park rangers or other patrols to check on permits at all of the parks, O'Donnell said.
Schipske ultimately agreed to have the council receive a report from City Manager Pat West on how the permit and sign policy might work and then take a final vote on it at a later date.
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
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