LAPD Institutes Foot, Bike Patrols in Parks

Los Angeles police announced Wednesday the formation of Operation Safe Parks, a program in which patrol officers will spend more time out of their cars, walking foot beats in city parks. “We want to establish the city’s parks as a safe place for members of our community to enjoy themselves,” said Capt. Ken Small at a press conference at Van Nuys Recreation Center.

Small said that officers assigned to cars in patrol areas that include city parks have begun making at least two stops at selected parks each week, spending two to four hours on foot or bicycles at each site.

He said the patrols, which began last month, coincide with peak park usage times or are conducted during community activities so that the officers can interact with residents while serving as a deterrent to crime. The program concentrates on the larger recreation centers where residents have raised concerns about safety.