City scores with park patrol plan

This fall, Newport Beach parks are set to become just a little bit

nicer, a little bit more enjoyable.

The City Council last month approved a plan, which will cost

$48,000 a year, to have two city staff members patrol the 57 parks to

keep an eye on who’s using them, whether they have permits and if

they are doing anything against the rules.

There are two great features to this idea. The first is that the

city’s parks will be more comfortable places for families, for

recreational sports leagues or even just for an evening stroll. The

two patrol agents will be on the lookout for alcohol consumption,

unauthorized use of fields, disputes over fields and vandalism. They

will focus attention on the 22 parks where most problems now occur.

The second is that the program is almost completely self-funding,

which is not inconsequential during these tough budget times.

Increased field reservation fees and event permit costs and picnic

space fees will cover the cost. For proof of the widespread

enthusiasm for the plan, one need look no further than that the

city’s youth sports leagues all agreed to pay the higher costs. It

also is proof that there are problems that need fixing.

The two city workers will be well trained for their new

responsibilities, working with the Newport Beach Police Department

and the city’s code enforcement workers. Their handling of situations

and their ability to work well with people will be paramount to the

success of the program.

City leaders -- the elected council and the civil staff -- deserve

praise for reacting to a problem in town with such a quick,

comprehensive solution. Is it the biggest problem in town? No. But it

is this type of response to smaller quality-of-life issues that make

Newport Beach the wonderful city it is. It also suggests that the

bigger problems also can be solved.