GUNS FOR PARK RANGERS? ARMED INCIDENTS LEAVE OFFICERS VULNERABLE.

Byline: Phillip W. Browne Staff Writer

When 15 rifle shots ripped into the park rangers' substation next to Griffith Park recently, two unarmed rangers had no choice but to duck for cover and call police for help.

The sniper wasn't captured.

Days earlier, a drive-by shooter fired two shots from a .357-caliber handgun at Ranger Joe Tafoya in Highland Park, missing him but coming too close for him to remain silent any longer.

Now Tafoya said he and others of the 42 rangers want to carry guns during their patrols of 388 parks across Los Angeles.

``The truth is we are getting shot at by felons and gang members because we are law enforcement officers,'' Tafoya said. ``We're fighting for this because we care for the public safety, our personal safety and the safety of our colleagues.''

The colleagues include a lifeguard at Hubert Humphrey Park in Pacoima who was wounded when he was shot with a pellet gun in April.

In the past two months, rangers have been fired upon four times, prompting them to vigorously renew their decade-long battle with the city to allow them to carry firearms.

In the San Fernando Valley so far this year, rangers have handled at least 11 incidents involving guns, including gang shootouts and gunfire directed at park lifeguards. And they have arrested several suspects at parks who have been armed.

Despite the shootings and pleas from rangers, the Los Angeles police and Department of Parks and Recreation refuse to allow rangers to carry firearms - even though they receive the same firearm training at the Police Academy with law enforcement officers.

Police Chief Bernard C. Parks said he does not believe the city parks are dangerous enough to warrant arming rangers. Further, he said he favors the ``one city, one police'' philosophy, under which the LAPD would absorb the rangers.

``We have opposed their requests for some time. We have never been able to validate the concerns for their safety, and their claim that it would be better for public safety,'' Parks said.

``Operation Safe Parks has helped reduce crime at parks dramatically, and our position is that everything from the rangers to the airport police should be absorbed into the LAPD.''

Union representatives for the rangers said the crime statistics at the parks may be relatively low, but the dangers remain very real. And because LAPD officers are so overburdened with calls, backing up rangers is not a priority to the LAPD, they contend.

``The LAPD is so overburdened that sometimes it takes them 15 minutes to a half-hour to respond to park calls,'' said Don Musa Camara, a representative with the Local 347 Service Employees International Union which covers the rangers.

``There's too much of a potential for bad things to happen. The rangers need these firearms.''

Parks disagreed.

``Any call, especially gunfire, is going to be a priority to us,'' Parks said.

Los Angeles rangers are among a few agencies in California that are not armed. Rangers in Yosemite, San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Sacramento, Glendale, Simi Valley, Santa Ana and Long Beach all carry firearms. State and federal rangers are armed.

Glendale Park Ranger Russ Hauck, who carries a firearm, said rangers have significantly evolved from the ``Yogi Bear'' image. Hauck, president of the Park Rangers Association of California, used to be a Los Angeles ranger.

The association would like all rangers to be armed, Hauck said.

``Looking back, I now seriously question my judgment working in L.A. without a firearm,'' Hauck said, adding Glendale has its share of violent run-ins. ``There is no question that rangers in an urban setting should be armed.''

The Los Angeles city park rangers were established in 1965 to assist park patrons and protect property. In 1988 the City Council granted them peace officer status because of increasing gang, alcohol and narcotics activity, placing ``much more emphasis'' on law enforcement, said Ranger Douglas Kilpatrick.

Reflecting that, during 1997 and 1998, rangers issued about 7,000 citations and made 1,250 arrests. In nearly 140 of the incidents rangers were confronted with firearms or other dangerous weapons, Kilpatrick said.

Los Angeles rangers said their stories illustrate the need.

On Aug. 24, three rangers were standing outside the Atwater Village substation when a sniper opened fire on them, hitting the building and the ground around them. They dialed 911 and got a busy signal. It took 15 minutes for the first LAPD squad car to arrive.

On Aug. 7 at Branford Park in the Valley, a ranger arrested a man who was allegedly flashing women. That man was armed with a loaded gun.

And on Aug. 1, rival gangs got into a shootout at a crowded picnic area at Griffith Park - in front of a ranger substation - and they sped away past the rangers. One victim was shot in the chest and another in the arm. The rangers were not injured.

It took LAPD squad cars 10 minutes to arrive, Tafoya said.

Ellen Oppenheim, executive director of the Department of Parks and Recreation has said she will reconsider the issue, according to Assistant General Manager Steve Klippel. The department recognizes that the rangers' request reflects the changing nature of city parks, he said.

``There has always been a division between ranger duties and law enforcement duties historically,'' Klippel said. ``The LAPD handles all crimes in parks, but I will say that the rangers' job has gradually changed over the years as things have become more violent.''

Some City Council members also are rethinking their opposition to armed rangers, a reflection of the growing violence in parks.

``I'm not completely sold on the idea yet, but during my time on the council I have seen the rangers' role heavily gravitate toward law enforcement and they have been in harms way,'' said City Councilman Michael Feuer.

But he said he is reluctant to arm rangers because any proliferation of weapons is a ``bad thing.'' ``It's an issue that needs to be seriously addressed, but there is heavy opposition from the LAPD.''

RECENT INCIDENTS

As Los Angeles Park Rangers press their request to carry guns on patrol, they point to these recent incidents involving firearms in parks:

Sept. 11, 1999, Griffith Park - A gunman or gunmen fired 10 to 15 rounds at the rangers' substation at 3900 Chevy Chase Drive. Two rangers inside were not injured.

Sept. 6, 1999, Highland Park - A drive-by shooter fired two rounds from a .357-caliber handgun at Ranger Joe Tafoya and a citizen in the 6400 block of North Figueroa Street. Neither was hit.

Aug. 24, 1999, Metro Region ranger substation - Three rangers standing outside the station were fired upon. Some bullets hit the ground at their feet, and others struck the building. None was injured.

Aug. 7, 1999, Branford Park - A ranger detained a man suspected of exposing himself to park visitors. The man was armed with a loaded handgun.

Aug. 1, 1999, Griffith Park - A gunfight erupted between gang members in the middle of a crowded picnic area in front of the rangers' substation. Two rangers inside ducked for cover. Two of the gang members were severely wounded.

June 6, 1999, Erwin Park - Rangers responded to a shooting between rival gangs. One gang member was shot and carried away by fellow gang members.

April 8, 1999, Hubert Humphrey Park - A sniper opened fire on city pool lifeguards, striking one. The bullets were found to be pellets from a pellet rifle.

March 28, 1999, Hansen Dam Recreation Area - Park rangers were called to shut down the park because of heavy gang activity, drinking, narcotics use and shots fired.

Dec. 14, 1998, Van Nuys Recreation Center - Two gang members were shot during a gunbattle with rival gang members.

SOURCE: Los Angeles Park Rangers and Los Angeles Police Department reports

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos, Box

Photo: (1--Color) Park Ranger Yin Wong, front, holds his gun for inspection during an LAPD Reserve Officer graduation at the Police Academy.

Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Staff Photographer

(2--Color) Park Rangers Paul Hernandez, left, and Joe Tafoya patrol Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer

Box: RECENT INCIDENTS (See text)