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Lancaster, Pennsylvania, will soon see the return of park rangers for the first time since the 1990s. The Lancaster City Police Department plans to hire a team of rangers to patrol parks and public spaces, responding to community requests for increased security and aiming to create a more welcoming atmosphere in downtown Lancaster.
According to LancasterOnline, city officials are still finalizing the hiring specifics, including the authority and qualifications required for the rangers. The positions will require fewer qualifications and less training than standard police officers. Amber Strazzo Righter, the city's communications manager, stated that the decision to hire park rangers was not driven by a specific incident but rather by a general demand for greater security.
The rangers will not be limited to specific areas like Binns Park or Ewell Plaza, where security measures have been heightened in the past. Instead, they will have a broader presence throughout the city.
ABC27 reported that the Downtown Investment District, represented by executive director Dave Aichele, plans to collaborate closely with the park rangers once they are hired. The initiative comes amid concerns about increased drug overdoses and other safety issues in the downtown area.
The city has yet to finalize the cost and funding sources for the new positions, but the plan reflects Lancaster's commitment to enhancing public safety and community well-being.