12/13/2004 - Agenda Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
AGENDA
Monday, December 13, 2004
7:00 p.m.
Tigard Water Building
8777 SW Burnham Street
1 . Roll Call
2. Comments from the audience
3. Drinking in Parks and Related Homeless Situation
Police Chief Bill Dickinson and Public Works Director Dennis
Koellermeier will be attendance to discuss these issues with
the Board
4. Board work on survey presentations for Recreation, Land Acqui-
sitions and Facilities
5. Adjourn
TI LICE
MEMORANDUM
TIGARD POLICE DEPARTMENT
December 9, 2004 1111 GAEGO
TO: Dan Plaza
FROM: William M. Dickinson
Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Alcohol in City Parks
I have received several complaints during this past summer about transients and
drunken behaviors on park properties. Many, but not all of these complaints seem to
center on the trail system. The most recent inquiry came from Mayor Dirksen, who has
also been the recipient of complaints. In response to his inquiry, I checked first to see if
we had a record of other alcohol related complaints in City Parks. I found a recent
problem solving project being worked by Tigard Police Officers at Summer Lake Park.
Apparently, areas of this park which are secluded from the view of nearby housing, are
being used for drinking parties. Nightshift officers have been making increased patrols
through the park to try to remedy this problem and the attendant complaints from
nearby homeowners. I also know from experience, that Cook Park has been the source
of significant alcohol related problems during the last two Fourth of July celebrations.
So much so, that we have had to bring additional officers in on overtime just to deal
with them. This hasn't solved the problem, but it did have the effect of reducing the
number of incidences in 2004. The biggest problem for the police department is not
having the legal tools with which to regulate the behaviors, nor are there clear and
consistent regulations regarding the use of alcohol in Tigard Parks.
As you know, the City has no prohibitions against personal use of alcohol in our parks,
and there is a policy which specifically allows for the sale of alcohol for special events.
You can drink, but you can not be intoxicated. You can bring in your own pint of high
alcohol content malt liquor, but you can't sell it.
At least three different solutions come to mind. First, make no changes and continue to
deal with the problems we have been experiencing. Second, impose a complete ban
on possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages (which is actually pretty
commonplace in most or many cities), or Third, propose a new City Ordinance
prohibiting open containers or consumption of alcoholic beverages UNLESS they are
consumed under the authority of an OLCC permit. This last solution would allow us to
continue with most of our current City Parks Policies, and to also make use of the
current State of Oregon provisions for controlling the sale and/or distribution of alcoholic
beverages. It also allows the City to continue to rent out our facilities for special events
such as weddings, receptions, corporate parties, Balloon Festivals, etc. without limiting
the use of those facilities.
In light of the number of citizen complaints, safety issues, and the risk management
concerns, I am proposing that we offer the third solution listed above, and would ask for
the opportunity to bring the issue before the Parks Board. If after discussing this they
are supportive, then I would take the proposal to the City Council for their consideration
of an appropriate ordinance. Thank you for the opportunity to address this issue. I'll
look forward to meeting with you and the Parks Board. Thanks!
c: Officer Glen Scruggs
Assistant Chief Orr
Capt. Bell
Dickinson file