Relates to imposing civil penalties for violations of the rules of the Brooklyn bridge park corporation, providing for the adjudication of such violation

BILL NUMBER:S7858A

Title of bill

An act to amend the New York city charter, in relation to imposing civil penalties for violations of the rules of the Brooklyn bridge park corporation relating to the government and protection of park and recreational property held by such corporation, providing for the adjudication of such violations by the environmental control board and clarifying the authority of the New York city department of parks and recreation with respect to such property

Summary of specific provisions

This bill amends the New York City Charter to clarify the authority of Parks Enforcement Patrol(PEP) officers to issue summonses returnable to the Environmental Control Board for the violation of rules of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. In addition, this legislation enables PEP officers to write summonses for violations of rules duly promulgated by the Brooklyn Bridge Development Corporation.

Justification

The Parks Department has a contractual relationship with the Brooklyn Bridge Park to supply a certain number of Parks Enforcement Patrol ("PEP") officers in order to provide security services at Battery Park City and Hudson River Park. These arrangements have helped to establish the regular presence of PEP officers in all city parks, including the above two -locations, which are not owned by the city. Indeed, these arrangements further the uniform application of the familiar New York City Parks Rules and provide for the consistent enforcement of such Rules over almost all parks in the City. Moreover, the presence of PEP officers in these locations assists the Parks Department in responding to emergencies throughout Manhattan.

The proposed amendment to the City Charter would firmly establish the Parks Department's ability to enforce its Rules in public parks, recre- ational facilities, and other property under the jurisdiction of public corporations, public benefit corporations, public authorities, and instrumentalities thereof which have entered into agreements with Parks.

The amendment is necessary to clarify Parks' jurisdiction allowing PEP officers to issue summonses returnable at the Environmental control Board, which is the normal procedure for most, violations of Parks Rules and regulations.

Fiscal implications

None to the state

Effective date

Immediately.