05-1: PARD Security Audit Findings Presentation — original pdf

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City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department Security Audit Parks and Recreation Board Meeting June 23, 2025 Roles and Responsibility Austin Parks Foundation City of Austin Parks & Recreation Arup US, Inc. Sponsor Review Owner Consultant Review, Site Support, and Stakeholder Engagement Security Audit and Lighting Assessment, Recommendations Development Contents • Overview & Approach • Audit Key Findings • Key Recommendations Overview & Approach Audit Phases Phase 1: Kick-off & Work Plan Identify available and relevant data. Initiate the transfer of data. Develop work plan with timeline. Phase 2: Research & Site Visits Conduct desktop research and interviews. Carry out site visits at 30 locations over a two-week period. Data processing and analysis. Phase 3: Security Assessment Tool & Recommendations Development Develop security assessment framework and tool concept. Draft security recommendations with estimated costs. Phase 4: Final Report & Recommendations Finalize security recommendations and assessment tool. Presentation of findings to the PARD Board. Overview & Approach Audit Objectives and Information Collected Primary objectives of the audit includes: • Document existing physical and operational security measures • Conduct a CPTED and lighting technical assessment • Collect observations of operational or physical vulnerabilities Physical security and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) assessments were conducted during both the day and nighttime. Security audit collections plan. 30 Sites Surveyed Overview & Approach Stakeholder Interviews and Survey Interview Date Interview Group PARD Teams December 2, 2024 Parkland Operations December 3, 2024 Safety / Security Technical Support, Contracts, Communication December 6, 2024 Facilities Programs Facilities Operations December 6, 2024 PARD Leadership North Team, South Team, Horticulture, Land Management, Forestry, Community Gardens, Historic Sites/Signage Safety Team, Park Rangers, Austin Police Department, Communications & Engagement Unit (CEU), Contracts Team Community Recreation, Cultural Centers, Nature Programs, Aquatics, Centralized Programs, Building Services, Aquatics Maintenance, Golf / Cemeteries, Athletics Maintenance, Facilities Management Interim Director, Chief Financial Officer, Programs, Planning, Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), Assets, Facilities, Operations and Maintenance, Cemeteries, Golf, Special Events, Aquatics Stakeholder interviews were conducted to understand safety and security experiences unique to different PARD teams. Digital survey links were also sent to PARD stakeholders to collect feedback. Good Parks! Other Parks! Audit Key Findings Safety and Security Environment – APD Reported Crime Data • Approximately 80% of reported property crimes in and around parks are either larceny or motor vehicle theft. • Crimes against society account for the second most reported incidents. Disorderly conduct account for almost 50% of these incidents, followed by drug offenses at 30%. • Assault accounts for over 75% of crime against persons offenses. Audit Key Findings Safety and Security Environment – Park Ranger Reported Data While these park rules violations are seemly insignificant in isolation, the cumulative effect of these infractions can degrade the park experience, deter positive use, and potentially escalate to more serious safety and security concerns. Audit Key Findings Parks and Facilities Rule Enforcement Loss of connection between APD and public safety authorities significantly reduced critical support to Park Rangers and PARD staff Poor enforcement of park rules and city code Limited action that Park Rangers or PARD staff can take Park signs lack contact information or unique identifiers Audit Key Findings Safety and Security Governance No formalized safety and security role within PARD Type and location of safety and security measures is largely up to site supervisor or manager who oversees the maintenance and operation of each facility or park Lack of department-wide safety and security requirements No formalized or comprehensive process to identify priority sites for upgrades Audit Key Findings Safety and Security Environment – Staff Interviews & Survey Staff responses provide further context around PARD safety and security challenges: Concerns in Parks and Trails Concerns in PARD Facilities Common issues include drug use, violence, outward presentation of mental illness, and vandalism, which are exacerbated by the loss of Park Police and delayed police response times (due to staffing shortages). There are significant concerns about the safety of recreation centers. Staff report feeling vulnerable and call for enhanced safety protocols similar to those in schools. Need for Supporting Infrastructure Need for Increased Staff and APD Presence New amenities like trails, playgrounds, or sports fields are beneficial but can remain unused in unsafe areas due to issues like homelessness, drug activity, and littering, which deter public use. There is a call for more staff, volunteers, and APD presence to help activate parks and discourage bad behavior. People, rather than just technology, are crucial for maintaining safety and encouraging increased public use. Audit Key Findings Common Challenges • Natural Surveillance & Visibility – – Trees with thick trunk or low hanging canopies, along with tall and dense vegetation limit natural surveillance and visibility in areas with known safety and security issues. Structures placed close up to the building also limits visibility. • Lighting – Inconsistent use of location specific typologies of lights and poles, lack of maintenance or mix of maintained light sources (warm vs cold, bright vs dim), existing lighting controls not adapting to daylight savings time. • Lighting y t i l i b i s i V e c n a l l i e v r u S l a r u t a N Key Recommendations Recommendations Type and Implementation Levels Guidance & Standards Compliance Lighting Improvements Strengthen Partnerships Process Improvements • • Immediate: Recommendations that can be instantly applied with little planning or collaboration needed for implementation. These include securing facility points of entry and providing single item purchases. Shorter-Term: Recommendations that require limited coordination to establish within the year. These include additions to existing operational procedures and generic design considerations. • Longer-Term: Recommendations that require intensive planning and coordination for implementation. These include new construction projects and redesign of existing amenities. • Advanced: Recommendations that require cross-functional collaboration either internally or with adjacent agencies. These include establishing universal guidelines and operational redesigns. Key Recommendations Longer-Term and Advanced Process Improvements Strengthen Partnerships • Build and re-engage partners, including APD and HSO • Create dedicated safety and security roles in the department • Establish a method of prioritization for capital projects across all PARD assets Guidance & Standards Compliance • Develop city-wide safety and security guidelines to be followed across all PARD assets Lighting Improvements • Following completion of Ausin’s Citywide Lighting Plan, develop lighting standards specific to PARD A comprehensive list of recommendations were provided. Of those, specific recommendations were identified as part of phase-one efforts to improve the safety and security environment of PARD parks and facilities. These phase-one recommendations focus on building a culture of safety and security within the department. It lays the foundation for PARD to be successful in achieving their safety and security goals over the long term. Key Recommendations Immediate and Shorter-Term Process Improvements Strengthen Partnerships Guidance & Standards Compliance • Update and create tailored operating procedures • Develop training deck for all PARD staff outlining when and how to contact APD, Homeless Strategy Office (HSO), or Homeless Outreach Street Team (HOST) • Development of • Administer regular training deck to be in collaboration with APD, DOT, and other adjacent city departments site walks and security audits • Limit access control into facilities to a single point of entry • Needle disposal receptacles • Utility power and waterline controls Lighting Improvements • Provide lights with warm color temperatures • Timers set as appropriate to encourage positive activation of parks at nighttime Meanwhile, there are practical and effective recommendations which can be implemented in the short-term. Key Recommendations Recommendations Dashboard & Progress Tracking • Organizes recommendation options and provides the capability to filter by level of effectiveness, estimated cost, and short- term/long-term. • Tracks progress as options are implemented and can be reviewed on an annual basis. What Is Next Parks and Recreation Department next steps • PARD will review and finalize report • Identify initial steps identified as high priority need • Develop plan to address recommendations and strategies • PARD will build framework for implementation and review Questions