Administrative
Report
N.1., File # 23-6551 Meeting Date: 9/12/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JOE HOFFMAN, CHIEF OF POLICE
TITLE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING SAFETY AND OPERATING OBSERVATIONS
AT THE REDONDO BEACH PIER SKATE PARK
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As part of the FY 2023-24 Strategic Plan, the City Council requested a report detailing the safety of the Redondo Beach Pier Skate Park as well as options and recommendations for enhancing safety regulations. When the Park initially opened, the Police Department received several calls for service regarding disturbances. However, in the ensuing months, complaints related to Skate Park activity have steadily decreased. In order to continue this trend, staff have identified four recommendations that will preserve and enhance safety in and around the Redondo Beach Pier Skate Park.
BACKGROUND
On October 5, 2021, the Redondo Beach City Council approved the design and build of a Skate Park located on Pad 10 within the Redondo Beach Pier. Prior to it’s opening, the City Council approved the amendment of specific Redondo Beach Municipal Code sections to allow skateboards, bicycles, or roller skates on the Redondo Beach Pier at Pad 10. Additionally, the Redondo Beach Municipal Code was updated with regulations for the use of the Park.
In addition to changes in the Municipal Code, extra signage was added around the site, listing the rules for use of the Pier Skate Park. As a follow up to some of the initial Skate Park concerns, the City hired a security company, TK Security Inc., to proactively provide unarmed security professionals at the Park to ensure applicable ordinances, such as Skate Park hours, are followed as well as to report any disturbances or violations of law.
Further, the Redondo Beach Public Works Department are coordinating the installation of three surveillance cameras which will operate on the existing City network and allow for real-time Police Department viewing. The cameras are anticipated to be operational by October 2023. Public Works has also installed safety netting on the southside of the Skate Park to prevent any material from entering or exiting the Skate Park in the area. A water bottle refilling station has also been installed by Public Works at the request of local Pier Merchants.
On April 17, 2023, the Pier Skate Park had a “soft” opening to the public. This opening allowed City Staff to review and evaluate the Skate Park’s usage and any potential issues that are likely to arise.
Business cards with QR codes were made which contained educational information and a procedure to e-mail any complaints or suggestions about the Skate Park. The Police Department and Public
N.1., File # 23-6551 Meeting Date: 9/12/2023
to e-mail any complaints or suggestions about the Skate Park. The Police Department and Public Works employees, along with security personnel disseminated the informational cards. To date, no email complaints regarding the Pier Skate Park have been received by City Staff.
Since the Skate Park’s opening, the Police Department has had forty-eight calls for service at the location. A table detailing the call types is included in this report. These calls include security checks, subject stops, disturbances and documented crime reports. Upon the initial opening of the Pier Skate Park, dispatch received several calls from the community each week. Disturbance calls have significantly decreased since that time and no complaints have been received since August 2, 2023.
To better understand the below table, it should be noted that a “Founded Disturbance” is a report made for an issue such as loud skateboarding. The claim is considered founded when the disturbance is corroborated by responding Police Department personnel. Typically, the disturbance is mitigated by the responding police Officer. An “Unfounded Disturbance” is the report of a disturbance that is not corroborated, or cannot be located, by the responding officers. “Officer Initiated Contact” is generally when an Officer contacts a person without prompting by a call for service. Nearly all of these incidents were when Officers observed individuals skating in the Skate Park after the posted hours. “Security Checks” are when Officers make a proactive patrol visit to ensure the security of the Skate Park.
Type of Incident Founded
Disturbance
Unfounded
Disturbance
Officer
Initiated
Contact
Security
Checks
TOTAL
Incident Number 7 18 15 6 48
The Community Services Unit of the Police Department continues to conduct community engagement at the Pier Skate Park. The engagement events allow for Police to reinforce and educate the Skate Park users and general public on the rules and expectations for using the Skate Park.
The Police Department recommends continuing to work closely with other City Departments to ensure safety of Skate Park patrons while mitigating disturbances and violations of applicable ordinances through:
· Continued enforcement of all applicable state and local laws · Continued utilization of the security professionals from TK Security Inc. · Completion of the installation of the Vector surveillance cameras · The installation of additional signage in Pier areas where skateboarding is not allowed
COORDINATION
The Police Department coordinated with Public Works and the Waterfront and Economic Development Departments in preparing this report.
FISCAL IMPACT
Associated costs for continued Police Department efforts to monitor the Pier Skate Park and respond
N.1., File # 23-6551 Meeting Date: 9/12/2023
Associated costs for continued Police Department efforts to monitor the Pier Skate Park and respond to calls for service are included in the Police Department annual operating budget. Costs related to additional Pier signage are minimal and are funded through the Public Works Department maintenance budget. The installation of security cameras at the Skate Park was funded as part of the approved capital budget.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· City Council Presentation, September 12, 2023