Update / Follow-up on the news
The city has agreed to revive its dormant park ranger program, discontinued about three years ago when an officer hit and injured a man sleeping in a park.
Two unarmed community services officers, who will report to the Costa Mesa Police Department, will be hired next year to patrol parks and other municipal sites, officials said.
Among other duties, the park rangers will enforce permit requirements for athletics, check for alcohol violations, graffiti and other infractions.
Working from marked vehicles, the unsworn officers also will radio the Police Department for backup if they spot criminal activities, officials said.
The City Council recently approved $107,200 for the project. Officials said they expect to take as long as six months to hire qualified rangers.
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