CITY OF FREDERICK UNVEILS NEWLY CREATED

PARK ENFORCEMENT AGENT POSITION

Frederick, Md. --- The City of Frederick’s Parks and Recreation Department has created a new position focused entirely on Park Enforcement. Jesse Goode Jr., former City of Frederick police officer and director of community relations, has recently filled the position of Park Enforcement Agent, a position that had been requested for over four years.

The City of Frederick has close to 60 parks. For some time ordinances have been overlooked. The initial tasks of the Park Enforcement Agent include; educating the public of this new position and its roles in our community, making the community aware that it is an enforcement position with abilities to write monetary citations, and change the public perception that all things will be overlooked or tolerated in our park system. “Many times citizens don’t even realize they are breaking a law or ordinance,” stated Roelkey Myers, Director of the City of Frederick’s Park and Recreation Department. “Our aim is to enhance the quality of one’s experience in our parks.”

Issues such as unleashed dogs, bicycles and skateboards on paths/sidewalks, skateboards, animal feces, and alcohol in the parks are all in Goode’s jurisdiction. Since taking the position in January, Goode has been assessing the City’s parks and recreation system and meeting with key staff. He says he was apprehensive to begin enforcement until he had all the tools necessary to follow through on his job responsibilities. With the recent addition of a Park Enforcement uniform and squad car, Goode says he feels more comfortable and willing to begin the process of moving from a grace period towards actually enforcement. “I hope that with my background, experience, and knowledge I will be able to implement this new position and department in a professional manner and be a good representation of the City,” Goode stated.

Goode joins the Parks and Recreation department with almost 30 years of law enforcement experience. He began his career with the Baltimore City Police Department and then spent close to a decade with the Frederick City Police Department. Goode pointed out that he was the first Community Relations Officer for the City of Frederick and now some 10 years later he finds himself as the City’s first Park Enforcement Agent.

“The term ‘agent’ means representative and that is what I am. I am a representative for the parks and recreation department, but I am also capable of enforcement,” stated Goode. At the suggestion of Mayor Dougherty, Goode has incorporated many of the skills he learned as a community relation’s officer to this new position. He is often heard educating kids about drug awareness and “Stranger Danger”, as well as educating camp counselors and staff about the dangers that exist in out society and ways to avoid incident.

For additional information on the Park Enforcement Agent’s responsibilities or questions and concerns please contact Jesse Goode Jr., at 301-360-3850.

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