Opinion: Rules are necessary — even at parks
By Brian Uhler
June marked the beginning of summer, and with it the arrival of visitors and the summer concert series known as Live at Lakeview.
As a community and specifically as a police department we recognize the value of helping our visitors have a nice time in our beautiful town. The Live at Lakeview event is enjoyed by visitors and locals alike.
Brian Uhler
For the last two years, our officers have had a rather low-key approach to the summer series, not wanting to impact the fun and doing our best to gain voluntary compliance to the rules at the Lakeview Commons and other city parks. In previous years, those who visited Live at Lakeview didn’t necessarily respond to the low-key approach, which not only included cops in “friendly, non-enforcement, reminder mode,” but also announcements by organizers on the speaker system.
The rules that are most applicable are:
- No drinking alcohol in public (SLTCC 18-9)
- No smoking (SLTCC 18-81)
- No dogs (SLTCC 18A-11).
We have heard a clear message from the community, City Council, and those who attend the event, “there’s too much smoking and drinking” and by smoking, I mean smoking of all sorts. To a lesser degree, people have complained of the dogs, too.
These laws are in place to make our city’s parks inviting and friendly for all, but especially for kids and families.
Some have argued that public music events automatically mean that people are going to be smoking marijuana and drinking because that’s just the way it is at a concert. To this, I want to point out some key differences:
Concerts are not “public” and are not usually free.
Concerts are attended by people who enter the event fully understanding the type of crowd and likely behavior (not passers-by, families who happen to be at the public park, or parents with small children).
Concerts usually include a private security force.
In the first event of the year, we had five officers assigned. Twenty-four administrative citations were written. During the event, foul language was directed toward the officers; one person argued that the temporary, extra signs didn’t include the specific City Code sections (the permanent signs did have the sections); and another person indicated that since the sign said “please” it was viewed as being optional.
Your police department looks forward to keeping this event fun and friendly for all who attend throughout the rest of the summer.
Brian Uhler is the police chief for South Lake Tahoe.
THANK YOU SOUTH TAHOE POLICE!!!!!!! For trying to turn around this “stoner” event gone wrong and making it more reasonable for non-druggies. If you can’t follow a couple of small rules, please stay home.
I appreciate Chief Uhler’s opinion piece that rules are necessary even at parks and agree with his remarks 100%. It is my hope that the City Council performed their due diligence and required that On-Course Events supply adequate security for their concerts, however I question if that is the case since City Police Officers need to be assigned. Perhaps it is the norm to have Police Officers present and if that is the standard procedure I would hope that the City would at least be reimbursed for the costs associated with needing to maintain that Police presence at this venue which On-Course Events is not paying for the use of and to which attendees have been given free entry.
As the City Council Members always like to say, “this City needs to be run like a business”. Except businesses don’t usually give away what they have of value but instead they sell it to generate revenue.
I agree with the Chief, but you have to admit it’s a bit ironic that you can smell pot everywhere in town except the concert.
If you can’t find the specific number of the code you’re violating, relax, it’ll be on your citation.
I agree Lisa, but that goes for the alcohol too. Too much booze and you get really lousy behavior…drunken fights, etc. I’d take the stoners any day over the drunks, but neither belong at a family type function–save it for home.
I don’t think that anyone suggested that anarchy be allowed anywhere, even at parks. And the Marine makes (and has made) a very good point, IMHO. Why give away assets? The City attempted to charge for one traditionally free asset (parking), denied another asset (trailer parking on Venice) and then freely gives another asset away (and spends more money on Police). The lack of consistency is troubling.
I appreciate The Chief taking the time to comment, and thus trying to be responsive to the taxpayer! We’ve had many SLTPD Chiefs in the past who made it quite clear they didn’t care about the public’s opinion.
But who pays for the expense of the police officer’s time at Commons Concerts?
As someone who regularly “works” a table at the Commons during the summer and enjoys the community spirit, I’d like to thank Chief Uhler for staffing the concerts with the police officers who keep the place under control. It’s a wonderful venue and always a lively experience. Police presence is professional, friendly, and low key. We are blessed to live here and have such a beautiful place to enjoy live music and enjoy the summer.