Rockford Park District Continues to Invest in Additional Safety Strategies for Parks and Facilities

ROCKFORD, IL – Helping people enjoy life in exceptional parks and recreational facilities that are safe and secure is one of the highest priorities for Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners and team members. Since the onset of COVID-19 in 2020, the Rockford Park District has seen an alarming increase of after-hours usage of parks, which has resulted in injury, property damage, and loss of life. The trend of after-hours activity in parks is not exclusively experienced by the Rockford Park District, or the City of Rockford, but instead part of alarming patterns of behavior seen across our state and nation.

Rockford Park District Police have been working on enhanced safety mitigation strategies that included hiring additional officers, enhancing technology, modifying park hours, updating signage, and revising ordinances to strengthen consequences.

Tonight, Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners received an update about strategically identified measures to address the safety and security of parks. The Board of Commissioners also approved a contract with Dach Fence Company for $133,750 to install security gates at various Rockford Park District parks and facilities to help control access outside of public operational hours. Locations were strategically selected based on trends in after-hours activity, and will allow Rockford Park District police the ability to proactively patrol more District parks and facilities. The City of Rockford also provided $50,000 to help cover installation costs.

This type of mitigation strategy has already been utilized at locations such as Twin Sister Hills Park and has helped to decrease after-hours use and police calls. Rockford Park District Police have also been clearing Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens campus parking lots, and utilizing barricades to prevent large group gatherings after hours.

“When these locations are closed, they are being utilized for unauthorized and unwanted activities, some of which result in violence. Pop-up parties are having a community-wide impact, but local law enforcement agencies are working together to deter these after-hours activities, which requires a lot of manpower and resources,” said Rockford Park District Police Chief Theo Glover.

Additional surveillance cameras and license plate readers are additional crime-fighting tools that are also being utilized to expand ability to monitor and respond. In all, the Rockford Park District has invested $435,000 in additional safety and security strategies while continuing to focus on intervention and prevention.