An ongoing crackdown to deter narcotics activity, theft and homeless misuse of a downtown Riverside park is netting results, authorities said Wednesday.
Since August, the Riverside Police Department’s Problem-Oriented Policing and Public Safety Engagement teams have targeted Ryan Bonaminio Park in the area of Palm and Tequesquite avenues in a series of operations aimed at cleaning up the location.
Detective Steve Espinosa said the operations specifically stemmed from “theft of city light poles and copper wire, livability issues and drug-related” law-breaking.
Since the start of the crackdown, a dozen people have been arrested for a range of offenses, including drug use, theft, outstanding warrants and trespassing, according to Espinosa.
“During the operations, officers located and contacted individuals at 10 encampments within the park and surrounding (Santa Ana) River bottom areas,” he said. “Officers also located and recovered stolen property belonging to the city within the encampments.”
The objective is to deter and prevent future crimes and violations of the municipal code, according to police.
The department encouraged anyone who witnesses or is aware of criminal activity and other disturbances in and around the park to contact Officer Brett McMillan at bmcmillan@riversideca.gov.