Alamitos Beach calls for more security at Bixby Park, but some aren't sure it's needed

A neighborhood group that has adopted Bixby Park is lobbying hard to add a private security patrol there to stem the tide of drug use and other illegal activity, but is gaining little traction with city officials.

Claudia Schou, a founding board member of Friends of Bixby Park, has promoted the idea of adding private patrols in the park, which is between Ocean Boulevard and Broadway, and Cherry and Junipero avenues. In the past, Schou has successfully fought for added park ranger patrols, which now only cover El Dorado Regional Park.

Schou said in an email that her group has raised funds for public programming at the parking, including bringing in a Farmer’s Market, but that “park visits will drop if we don’t address these public safety conces ASAP.”

The group has pledged about $3,000 for patrols during summer when park attendance is high, but city officials aren’t so sure, saying it seems unlikely that the city would allow private security patrols on public property.

Vice Mayor and Second District Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal, whose district includes the park, said a meeting is being scheduled with the police chief to ask questions and get feedback.

“I have always been committed to public safety at Bixby Park and have welcomed ideas and input from the entire community, city staff and my council colleagues,” Lowenthal said. “The private security model that Ms. Schou has suggested to my office, to parks and rec and to the police department has not been entirely vetted yet. Ms. Schou is suggesting to use a private company to police public property, which raises immediate questions and conces.”

Schou and Friends of Bixby Park have been successful in both raising money and lobbying for public money for park improvements. The north side of the park has been landscaped, including removal of a problematic fountain. A skate plaza, a new playground and an exercise equipment trail has been added, in large part paid for through Lowenthal’s discretionary infrastructure fund.

But Schou said all that work is in jeopardy because of increased drug sales and use, as well as increased occupancy by homeless people. And she has had support from Milton Smith, board president of the Alamitos Beach Neighborhood Association, who wrote a letter to Police Chief Robert Luna.

Parks, Recreation and Marine Director Marie Knight said that records show calls for service in coection to Bixby Park are down considerably from last year. She said safety is a conce in all city parks.

“One of the best ways to increase safety is activating parks,” Knight said. “I’ve had staff members tell me that park is packed on weekends. We continue to try — there has been some heightened awareness and we are promoting the ‘See something, say something’ campaign. We aren’t getting those kinds of calls from that park.”

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Councilwoman Suzie Price, whose Third District borders Bixby Park, said Schou also has been in contact with her.

Price said she went on a ride-along with police a couple of weeks ago and was “pleasantly surprised” at how much the park has improved.

“There was very little homeless activity at the time that I was out there,” she said. “The park has come along way and continues to improve.”

Knight said she expects a meeting with all parties within the next two weeks.

Friends of Bixby Park’s “intentions are in the right place,” Knight said. “It’s been a great partnership… we just need to get everyone on the same page.”

Harry Saltzgaver is executive editor of Gazette Newspapers. He can be reached at [email protected].