AGENDA
ITEM
19 Agenda
CALEXICO California Item
WHERE CALIFORNIA AND
19 CITY COUNCIL
INFORMATIONAL STAFF REPORT
DATE: December 17, 2025
TO: Mayor and City Council
REVIEWED BY: Benjamin Martinez, City Manager Bu
PREPARED BY: Armando Orozco, Police Chief
SUBJECT: Need to Establish Park Hours Ordinance to Align with Juvenile Curfew Hours and Enhance Public Safety.
I. PURPOSE OF REPORT
The purpose of this informational report is to advise the City Council of the need to establish formal hours of operation for all City parks through ordinance adoption. The lack of codified park hours limits the Calexico Police Department's ability to address late-night disturbances, vandalism, and unlawful activities occurring in public parks after dark. Establishing defined park closure hours will provide clear enforcement authority, promote community safety, and align with existing juvenile curfew regulations.
II. BACKGROUND
The City of Calexico currently does not have a municipal ordinance that establishes official operating hours for City parks. As a result, park use remains open-ended, which has created challenges for public safety personnel responding to late-night activity, including:
• Vandalism and graffiti
• Narcotics and alcohol-related violations
• Noise disturbances affecting nearby residents
• Trespassing and loitering
• Juveniles present in public places during curfew hours • Overnight use of park facilities
• Damage to playground equipment and recreational structures Public parks are intended to serve the community during daylight and early evening hours; however, the absence of closing times has led to significant after-hours misuse and increased calls for service.
Several California cities-including Brawley, El Centro, Imperial, and Holtville-have enacted similar park-hour ordinances to support public safety and reduce vandalism. Calexico currently lacks such authority.
III. PROPOSED SOLUTION: ESTABLISH PARK HOURS ORDINANCE
The Calexico Police Department recommends the adoption to create a proposed new section of Chapter
9.15.010 - Hours of Operation for City Parks establishing official park operating hours mirroring the City's Juvenile Curfew Ordinance:
Proposed Hours of Operation
• Sunday through Thursday: 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday: 5:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m. (midnight) These hours strike a balance between community use and public safety needs.
Key Provisions
The proposed ordinance would include:
1. Prohibition of entry, remaining, or use of parks during closed hours
2. Authorization for the Chief of Police to approve exceptions by written permit
3. Clear exemptions for public safety personnel and City maintenance staff
4. Authority for CPD, Code Enforcement, and City representatives to issue citations
5. Requirement for signage at all park entrances
6. Classification of violations as infractions
IV. BENEFITS OF ESTABLISHING PARK HOURS
A. Improved Public Safety
Defined closure hours give officers legal authority to address after-hours activity that often results in:
Drug use
• Vandalism
• Illegal dumping
• Disturbances impacting residential neighborhoods
B. Alignment with Juvenile Curfew Ordinance.
Juvenile curfew (10 p.m.-5 a.m. on weekdays; midnight-5 a.m. weekends) already restricts minors' presence in public spaces during late-night hours. Aligning park hours strengthens enforcement and reduces ambiguity.
C. Reduction in Vandalism and Maintenance Costs.
Parks are frequently damaged during the night, resulting in costly repairs. Limiting after-hours access reduces risk of property destruction.
D. Increased Officer Efficiency.
Clear closing hours enable officers to more effectively monitor parks, quickly identify unlawful behavior, and reduce prolonged calls for service.
2 V. IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE
Below is a proposed timeline to adopt and implement the ordinance:
Phase 1 - Drafting & Legal Review (Weeks 1-2)
• Finalize ordinance language
• Review by City Attorney
• Prepare staff report and council agenda item
Phase 2 - Public outreach (Week 3) (30 days prior to CC meeting) • There will be two public workshops during police commission meetings to address citizen concerns.
• Placement of notifications on social media and newspapers to notify the public. • The possibility of a flyer being generated to be included in the monthly water bill.
Phase 3 - City Council Introduction (Week 4)
• Introduction and first reading of ordinance
• Council direction on outreach and signage
Phase 4 - Second Reading and Adoption (Week 5)
• Conduct second reading
• Adopt ordinance
• Effective date begins 30 days later
Phase 4 - Public Notification & Signage (Weeks 6-10)
Install signage at all park entrances
• Social media and city website announcements
• Flyers at City Hall, PD lobby, and library
• Outreach to youth programs and local schools
Phase 5 - Initial Grace Period (Weeks 11-14)
• 30-day educational period
• Warnings issued only
• Officers provide informational handouts
Phase 6 - Full Enforcement (Beginning Week 15)
• CPD, Code Enforcement, and patrol units begin issuing citations • Regular nighttime park checks incorporated into patrol operations VI. FISCAL IMPACT
Minimal costs are anticipated, limited to signage placement and public outreach materials. Costs will be absorbed within existing departmental budgets.
3 VII. CONCLUSION
Establishing an ordinance that defines official hours of operation for City parks is essential to enhancing public safety, improving enforcement consistency, reducing vandalism, and supporting quality of life in Calexico's residential neighborhoods.
The Calexico Police Department recommends the City Council proceed with ordinance adoption under Chapter 9.15.010 to implement uniform park hours consistent with juvenile curfew provisions.
Respectfully submitted,
CHIER Armando Orozco
Chief of Police
Calexico Police Department
420 E. Fifth Street,
CALEXCO POCOB Calexico, CA. 92231
CALIF. Office: (760) 768-2140
[email protected]
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