Title
From the Director, Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture (DPRC) requesting approval of an ordinance authorizing DPRC’s Director to issue citations to any person who violates any of the provisions of Chapter 47 of the Milwaukee County Code of General Ordinances, and to delegate that authority to employees under her/his supervision in conformity with Wis. Stat. s. 66.0113.
Body
POLICY
The Director, Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture (DPRC) respectfully requests that the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors adopt an ordinance/resolution authorizing DPRC’s Director to issue citations to any person who violates any of the provisions of Chapter 47 of the Milwaukee County General Ordinances, and to delegate that authority to employees under her/his supervision in conformity with Wis. Stat. s. 66.0113.
BACKGROUND
In 2008 DRPC created, with County Board approval, a Park Ranger program dedicated to the education of park patrons, public safety, fee compliance, and rule enforcement. Since then, the Park Rangers have been assisting law enforcement by responding to and handling reports of minor offenses of Chapter 47 of Milwaukee County General Ordinances (MCGO), which governs conduct in Milwaukee County’s parks and parkways. Examples of some offenses include off-leash dogs, parking violations, failure to pay fees, and permit violations.
The current MCGO limits the Parks Rangers’ enforcement authority to verbal warnings only. With the support of the Office of the Sheriff, Corporation Counsel, and the Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court (Clerk of Court), DPRC is now seeking authorization from the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors (Board) to issue citations. Wis. Stat. s. 66.0113(2), Citations for certain ordinance violations, provides in part:
the governing body of a county. . . may designate by ordinance or resolution other county. . . officials who may issue citations with respect to ordinances which are directly related to the official ...
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