Pathfinder Parkway users may notice something new as they traverse the wooded City-owned paths that connect all of the City’s parks and several Bartlesville neighborhoods: The trail system is now being patrolled by the police department’s only community service and parking enforcement officer, Ray Raley.
“Ray Raley is patrolling Pathfinder between his routes working parking enforcement, hitting some of the hot spots around Pathfinder where we have received complaints regarding homeless camps and other violations,” said Deputy Police Chief Rocky Bevard. “He will provide information to Neighborhood Services and BPD patrol staff regarding any camps on City property so appropriate actions can be taken.”
The enforcement comes after several citizen complaints were received by the department about the lack of police presence on the paths. Raley will conduct the patrol in his marked parking enforcement vehicle — “mainly to provide visibility to the citizens who utilize Pathfinder and as a deterrence to criminal activity,” Bevard said.
City Manager Mike Bailey said he hopes the police presence will help make citizens feel more at ease on the paths.
“To be clear, we have not experienced an increase in reported crimes in these areas. This is purely a proactive approach to ensure everyone feels safe and that any potentially illegal activities are thwarted sooner rather than later,” Bailey said.