Fort Smith police to increase park patrol

FORT SMITH — The Police Department said Wednesday it will increase patrols throughout the city parks system for the remainder of the covid-19 pandemic.

A post on the department’s Facebook page states it’s vital to respect the health and safety of the city’s most vulnerable as work is being done to “flatten the curve” and eliminate the threat of covid-19. The post urges residents to avoid congregating in groups of 10 people or more, and avoid participation in group sports activities.

The post also reminds residents public playground equipment remains off limits. Parks employees will be doing what they can to curtail activities, which includes temporarily removing basketball hoops.

“Please respect the guidelines and use caution when going out in public,” the post states. “Thank you to our residents for rising to this unprecedented challenge. We got this!”

Aric Mitchell, public information officer for the Police

Department, said Wednesday city parks remain open.

But the extra patrols are designed to discourage and prevent too many people from gathering in close proximity in the city’s parks and potentially spreading the covid-19 virus.

Last month, Gov. Asa Hutchinson issued a directive prohibiting groups of 10 or more people. Fort Smith, which according to the U.S. Census has an estimated population of more than 87,840 residents, is the state’s second largest city.

Police in other parts of Arkansas, particularly in the larger cities, are also sweeping through parks.

Little Rock, which has about 193,524 residents, set up traffic-control barrels at two popular trails and is increasing its police presence at city parks.

More mounted patrol officers and Community Oriented Police Program officers are more visible in Little Rock lately. City staff in Little Rock have taped off much of the parks’ equipment, including basketball goals, volleyball nets and slides.