From the Editor

FROM THE EDITOR

Ann Londrigan
Park rangers started the now popular "community policing" movement, says Richard Haake, a lieutenant with19 years of experience with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and past president of the Illinois Park Law Enforcement Association.
It began, Haake states in his article on page 25, when a forest preserve park ranger asked a fisherman how the fishing was that day before he asked to check his fishing license.

The author feels it's time, however, for park rangers to borrow from more traditional policing techniques, given liability issues and the nature of crime today.

Liability issues are treated front and center in an article by attorneys for the Park District Risk Management Agency on page 17. Stephen Kleinman and Edward Dutton illustrate the magnitude of the issue with a car chase scenario involving park police that results in seven lawsuits.

Partnerships and violence preparedness are issues that round-out this park security issue. Special thanks to Debbie Carlson, director of the River Trails Park District, who served as guest editor for this issue.

Carlson is a proponent of partnering with local law enforcement to make parks more safe and secure, and she is a strong advocate for youth issues. Her insights on the complex issue of park security were invaluable.

Carlson also is chair of the IAPD/IPRA Joint Publications Committee, an advisory group for the magazine, newsletter and membership directory. The committee determines the editorial calendar for 2001 and here it is:

• January/February "Special Facilities"
• March/April "Golf'
• May/June "The Art of the Deal"
• July/August "Personnel Issues"
• September/October "Youth and Senior Recreation"
• November/December "Technology"

Do you have a story to share with readers of Illinois Parks & Recreation magazine? Give me a call or jot an e-mail to alondrigan@ILparks.org. Or, stop by LAPD's booth at the 2001 IAPD/IPRA Annual Conference, January 11 to 14 in Peoria. See you there!

Signature of Ann Londrigan

ANN LONDRIGAN

Editor

4 / Illinois Parks and Recreation