The parks and recreation department has approved an updated behavior policy, with consequences for violations.
The policy was drafted after unruly behavior at open swim sessions led to some participants getting kicked out, Kate Thomas, parks and recreation director, said.
The TikTok-inspired vandalism and pranks that school officials have seen were also on the department’s radar, she said. While they haven’t seen anything inspired by those trends, Thomas said parks and recreation wanted to get ahead by warning of the consequences.
Those pool kick-outs happened toward the end of September and beginning of October, Lucy Robinson, recreation coordinator, said.
There was a “collective kick-out” of five kids on Sept. 27, Robinson said. After repeat misbehavior, having clear guidelines of offenses and consequences helps, she said. Parents were also emailed the policy.
The parks and recreation advisory board approved the policy last month.
“Patrons may not deface or improperly remove facility equipment or furnishings or prevent timely access to P&R resources through theft or deliberate misuse of materials,” the policy says. “No one may interfere with another person’s right to use the facility free of disruption or with the staff’s performance of their duties. Examples of disruptive behavior include use of obscene language, running, throwing objects, resting feet on furnishings or equipment, or any activity resulting in the disruption of facility use.”
The policy also lists as unacceptable behavior: Threatening others, violent or disorderly behavior, abusive language, possession of weapons, or interfering with people entering/exiting the building.
“It is always the goal to have a clean slate upon returning to activities following a set of consequences,” the policy says.
The updated behavior policy lists four tiers of offenses and consequences. Tier 1 violations and punishments are the least severe, and Tier 4 offenses and penalties are the most severe.
A Tier 1 violation would be disrespect, non-compliance, disruption, inappropriate language or property misuse.
Tier 2 includes abusive language, defiance, disrespect, insubordination, harassment or bullying, or entering an employee-only area.
Tier 3 includes property damage or vandalism, theft of less than $50, use or possession of tobacco, drugs or alcohol.
Tier 4 includes fighting, physical aggression or assault, and theft of more than $50.
The penalty for a Tier 1 violation would be a warning, time-out from the pool, or a parent or guardian being contacted. Three violations at this level gets bumped up to the next tier.
Tier 2 penalties are removal from the facility for a minimum of one day, and a parent or supervisor meeting. Three strikes at this level, and the individual moves up to the next tier.
Tier 3 consequences are removal from the facility for a minimum of one week. A second offense would result in removal for two weeks, and a third offense results in Tier 4 penalties.
The last level results in removal from the facility for one month to one year, depending on the severity and repetition of offenses, a mandatory parent and supervisor meeting, or calling the police.
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