Parks, Recreation and Marine

Park Watch

The Long Beach Park Watch Program involves the community in preventing crime and vandalism in our parks. Citizens can act as extra eyes and ears for Park Rangers and Police Officers in detecting activities that can diminish a safe, clean and enjoyable park environment. The grassroots community involvement in parks from neighborhood groups, community organizations, schools and citizens can:

• Prevent incidents of vandalism, crime and misuse of park properties.
• Reduce repair and restoration costs for equipment and facilities.
• Make our parks a safe haven for children and adults to play with them.
• Increase our park use.
• Increases sense of ownership of the parks by Neighborhood residents.

Suspicious events to watch for and report:

Alchohol:

Alcohol or substance abuse in the park.

Animals:

Abuse or capture of wildlife or domestic animals off leashes.

Behavior:

Fighting or harassment; loitering or unusual noises. Notify Rangers or Police of weapons, unauthorized fires, or someone yelling for help.

Cars:

Watch for people peering into car windows, sitting in cars talking to passing children, or business transactions being conducted from a vehicle. Report abandoned cars or cars being used for camping.

Children:

Report young children playing unsupervised in the park.

Equipment:

Report broken and unsafe equipment such as lights not working, plumbing problems or broken sprinkler heads. Notify Park Rangers or Police if you see equipment being removed from fields, playgrounds or community centers.

Park Hours:

People in park after hours. (except scheduled evening activities)

Vandalism:

Report the defacement or misuse of park equipment, destruction of natural resources, littering or garbage dumping, or graffitti.

 
Long Beach City Council Member Patrick O'Donnell, Ramon Arevalo, Manager of Maintenance Operations for Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine and Brian Russell from Long Beach Rotary unveil a sign for the "Park Watch" program at Rotary Centennial Park.

How to call to report suspicious activities:

DO NOT take matters into your own hands! 

REMEMBER, NEVER JEOPARDIZE YOUR OWN SAFETY. Park Watch only asks people to be alert, observant and caring.

Please Report Activities As Follows:

• Emergencies: 911
• From a cell phone, report suspicious activities to the Long Beach Police Department: (562) 435-6711
• Maintenance Problems,
  Monday through Friday, 7:30am-3:30pm:
  (562) 570-4895
  After Hours Maintenance Line:
  (562) 570-3101