Advise the Division Commander on the implementation of Goal 8. Assist OCE in producing a manual (e.g., an Engineering Regulation) of procedures and management for law enforcement and visitor protection. Periodically review and update the manual. Review and evaluate the Districts in their performance and productivity in implementing the standards. Assist the lake managers in coordinating and contracting with law enforcement. Coordinate the physical security program with the Provost Review all records relating to crime and vandalism at the lakes and submit quarterly reports to OCE. Investigate and review citizen complaints charged against rangers or law enforcement agents. Assist lake managers in preparing and updating annual law enforcement plans and coordinating such plans with recreation area master plans. Assist in the development of victimization surveys. Assist in the development of a detailed study to identify specific environmental designs and management practices and standards that serve to minimize or eliminate existing crime and visitor protection problems at Corps lakes. Assist lake managers in devising work schedules so that maximum presence of trained, permanent rangers is available, on each shift, to supervise seasonal employees. Assist the districts in implementing an improved recreation visitor education program in crime and security hazards (e.g., lock cars, put equipment in car trunks, location of emergency phones). Assist lake managers in gaining support and involvement from the local community. Assist in the supervision of ranger training by developing curriculum, selecting instructors, and evaluating the instruction. The above list of duties illustrates the kind of capability needed at the Division level to assist in the formulation and implementation of law enforcement and visitor protection services at Corps recreation areas. The position of law enforcement specialist at the Division level appears to be a strategic location to be able to assist District recreation planners and lake managers in developing law enforcement plans and integrating these with recreation area master plans. The Division relationship with OCE is close enough for the LE specialists to assist in the preparation of an Engineering Regulation or manual on law enforcement and visitor protection policy and practice. PARK PRACTICES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT A. Introduction There are many problems associated with improving law enforcement in Corps recreation areas that relate to the layout and management of the areas. Planners, designers, and managers of recreation areas seek to provide facilities and physical organization in a manner that is conducive to a visitor achieving a satisfying recreation experience. Indeed, the security and safety, both real and perceived, of visitors at a recreation area is an important ingredient of the recreation experience. The findings and observations in this chapter pertaining to park and recreation management practices for enhancing law enforcement and protecting visitors and resources are based upon: 1) Corps survey questionnaire results; 2) information and Where the development of direct statistical bridges between causes, effects and remedial measures for certain problems were unattainable within the scope or time constraint of this study, professional assessments are made reflecting the philosophy and state of the art conventions of law enforcement and park and recreation management. It follows that the Corps of Engineers will exercise its own judgment in implementing measures considered appropriate for its mission and recreation resources manage ment program. 293 There are instances where visitor protection and law enforcement problems can be lessened or avoided if they are anticipated in the initial planning and design of a new recreation area, or expanding or upgrading an existing recreation area. Factors which can be considered to anticipate law enforcement needs are described below. Forecast Social and Economic Characteristics Forecasts of the social and economic characteristics of visitors will enable analysis of recreation activities and facilities that will satisfy needs and be of interest to users. Certain groups of people with similar economic or cultural characteristics will have particular kinds of recreation interests or motivations that may be anticipated and appropriately weighed in planning. Certainly a fishing pier is not going to appear relevant at a beach area frequented by students from a nearby college town. The lack of relevancy in recreation system design is often the thing that triggers boredom, frustration, or a lack of identification with the recreation area. Antisocial behavior could stem from such reactions. Strengthening the behavioral considerations in the planning and projections methodologies practiced by the Corps would likely result in more sensitive and revealing insights into user needs and desires from both recreation and security. Analyze Crime Rates Evaluation of information on rates and kinds of crime and disturbance from local areas, regions of predominant visitor origin, and Corps projects will enable better assessment of the character of law enforcement to be anticipated in managing the recreation area. Conduct Site Study Needs for security surveillance and public safety should be considered in detailed site evaluations for visibility, access and circulation, and orientation of facilities. Law enforcement specialists and ranger personnel familiar with the area and potential visitor character should participate in planning and designing recreation areas. Preliminary Corps recreation area plans should be circulated to local and state law enforcement agencies for review and comment. Concurrent with the benefits to coordinate law enforcement considerations with a more comprehensive recreation management program is the actual improvement of law enforcement planning. Just as the study found little consideration of law enforcement in planning Corps recreation areas, it was also found that law enforcement agencies do little planning that would be suitable as an input to planning a recreation area. If recreation goals are to be met at a recreation area, and if law enforcement efforts are to serve the goals of a recreation area, then law enforcement planners will need to better address their practices to the park and recreation environment. C. Establishment of a Comprehensive Recreation Program The role of Corps rangers focuses on controlling and assisting visitors in the use of developed facilities and lake resources. The Corps does not provide recreation leadership in the form of programming organized or unorganized activities, or providing special facilities that reflect the variety and flexibility of changing recreation interests of urban populations. A comprehensive recreation program involves three essential elements: (1) resources, such as areas, facilities and equipment (and the management thereof); (2) programs, such as organized and unorganized, group or individual activities; and, (3) leadership--the provision of encouragement, assistance and education in participation of these programs. Το manage resources alone is only part of the recreation job. Improved 56-070 - 75 - 22 |