PP&R's Park Rangers serve as goodwill ambassadors and provide a positive presence in Portland parks and park facilities. Rangers serve multiple roles by providing information, helping solve park user conflicts, and enforcing City Code such as dog leash and scoop laws, proper use of park permits, prohibitions against camping, alcohol consumption, and other park rules.

Park Rangers work closely with the other PP&R staff, the Portland Police Bureau and other criminal justice agencies, Multnomah County Animal Control, neighborhood associations, youth services providers, and other social service agencies to identify, prevent, and address concerns within parks.

Rangers are unarmed and non-sworn (law enforcement) officials who are given the authority under City Code to enforce park rules and issue park exclusions, if necessary. Rangers do not have the ability to write citations, but work closely with other agencies that have that authority. All Rangers are trained to assess a given situation and use verbal persuasion and problem solving skills to gain voluntary compliance. If warranted, they call police or other responders to address the park concern.

Beginning in the spring of 2012, Rangers will provide service in the central business district/downtown area year-round during the day and early evening shifts. The Rangers will maintain the current level of security standards provided in the downtown parks and will work closely with other partners such as the Portland Police Bureau, Multnomah County, the Office of Neighborhood Involvement, JOIN, and other social service providers to address needs and issues that arise in downtown parks.

Public Safety in Parks
Overall, Portland parks are very safe. Serious crimes against persons are relatively rare, but nuisance behavior, park user conflicts, and other livability issues do occur in our large, heavily used parks.

What do I do if I see a crime in a park?

• If there is a crime in progress, if a serious threat or problem is developing, or if there is an emergency, PP&R staff and citizens should call Emergency 9-1-1.
• For non-emergency park-related problems or special situations, call the Park Rangers at 503-823-1637.
• For dog attacks or other serious situations involving animals, call Multnomah County Animal Control at 248-3790 or call Police Non-Emergency at 503-823-3333.
• You can also report a park problem online at Park Scan: www.parkscanpdx.org
• For park maintenance problems, call 503-823-1600.