In an effort to enhance the security of its public spaces, the city of Glasgow recently approved the creation of a new park ranger position. This decision, passed during the August 26, city council meeting, assigns a dedicated officer from the Glasgow Police Department to patrol the city’s parks during evening hours.
Director over Glasgow Parks and Rec. Eddie Furlong spoke to WCLU about the ranger’s responsibilities.
Furlong pointed out that this decision has been a long time coming, as he has been advocating for the position for years.
The ranger will carry the title of Public Safety Officer and will report to the Glasgow Police Department, as well as Parks and Rec.
Furlong described the position’s hours as “second-shift” with the ranger beginning patrols in the late afternoon and continuing through the night. He also pointed out that his staff are usually done with their work around 4:00p.m. with the new officer’s hours reflecting the times that the parks are most vulnerable, with illicit issues occurring primarily in the evening.
Furlong did confirm that several candidates were being vetted and that once a decision has been made the department would announce the new addition to Glasgow’s safety staff.
According to research from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the presence of park rangers or similar roles significantly contributes to reduced vandalism, increased public safety, and overall community well-being.
Overall, Furlong was elated at the council’s decision, with he and his department looking forward to safer healthier parks for the Glasgow community.
