Tourism Oriented Policing Services

by Maureen Becker, Executive Director

Many places within the United States and around the world rely increasingly on tourism as a passport to economic development.  An influx of visitors presents communities with new challenges and opportunities. 

In addition to maintaining public order and preventing and addressing crime, law enforcement officers in these areas are called upon to serve as ambassadors for their communities. 

Tourists often represent a variety of cultures, do not speak or understand the language, have different social norms, and may consider themselves “exempt” from the law.  They may not recognize situations in which they are vulnerable and often need different types of assistance than residents. 

The College Station Police Department in Texas and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Florida provide examples of how tourist-oriented policing can help balance the needs of visitors against those of residents in order to maintain safety and quality of life for everyone. 

IPMBA Instructor Andrew Humes of the College Station (TX) Police Station will present Tourism-Oriented Policing: Northgate District Case Study as a workshop during the 26th Annual IPMBA Conference, April 28-30, 2016, in Asheville, North Carolina.  This session will prepare attendees to provide services to tourists and represent their agencies and jurisdictions well. 

College Station Tourism and Entertainment Police (CSTEP) 
by College Station (TX) Police Department

In 2013, the College Station (TX) Field Operations Bureau implemented a full-time unit to cover the entertainment and tourism sections of the city.  In the past, Uniformed Patrol utilized a bicycle unit in a part-time capacity assigned in pairs to patrol shifts.  To address the growing need to respond to calls for service in the Northgate area, an entertainment district unit was created to ensure the safety of Northgate patrons and visitors.

This new unit allows a more proactive approach with residents and tourists around hotels and restaurants and still provides adequate coverage to keep our late night entertainment venues safe.  The unit of eight officers is supervised by a sergeant, and each member of the entertainment unit is assigned a police mountain bike as their primary source of transportation.  In addition to the bike, each pair of officers is assigned a patrol car to use when not policing by bicycle and has access to a utility vehicle for when conditions prevent regular patrol.

CSTEP works within the community at events such as safety expos, bicycle safety presentations, school educational efforts and training other police departments in bicycle operations.  

Each officer was trained in tourist-oriented policing to work proactively with our community.  The staff of St. Mary’s Church in Northgate has entered into a partnership with the Police Department to provide the entertainment unit office space within the Northgate District. 

CSTEP is under the immediate command of Sgt. Ken Petereit who can be reached by phone at 979-764-5098 or e-mail at kpetereit@cstx.gov. 

Tourist Oriented Policing Squad Provides Proactive,   High-Profile Law Enforcement Presence in County’s Tourist Corridor
by Orange County (FL) Sheriff’s Office

Orange County’s International Drive area has long been a favorite destination for tourists who come to this part of the world for their vacation.  The “Drive” hosts a variety of unique lodging and dining establishments and is a stone’s throw from some of the area’s premier theme, amusement, and water parks.  It is also home to Sea World, Universal Studios, and the world renowned Orange County Convention Center.

The area caters specifically to travelers looking for the ideal destination for either amusement or business.  While the area has always been regarded as one of the safest tourist destinations in the world, the public-private partnership with Orange County Government, the International Drive Master Transit and Improvement District, and the Sheriff’s Office promises to continue our commitment to the safety of our visitors and the citizens of Orange County.

Sector V, commonly known as the tourist corridor, was created because it is, in fact, home to many of the attractions and hotels that bring visitors to the county.  Former Sheriff Walt Gallagher was quick to recognize that tourism was the county’s major industry and the policing needs of the tourist community were unique.  The area continues to grow to include the addition new tourist attractions and residential areas.

On March 31, 2010, Sheriff Demings, Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty, and I-Drive Master Transit and Improvement District Chairperson Allan Villaverde announced the implementation of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Tourist Policing Squad (TOPS). 

TOPS, which officially went into service on April 4, 2010, is intended to create a highly visible and proactive law enforcement presence in the area’s tourist corridor and provide a safe experience for the Drive’s 5.3 million annual visitors, 30,000 tourist industry employees, and countless area residents who simply enjoy its diverse offerings.

The Sheriff’s Office’s proactive presence on the International Drive corridor includes bike patrols, marked cars, and Deputies on foot patrol.  In addition to six patrol squads, ten of Orange County’s finest have been specifically trained for their TOPS assignment.  

In addition to their patrol duties, they assist with educational seminars, crime prevention training, and safety assessments for area businesses.  The primary mission of the agency’s TOPS personnel is to ensure the safety and security of all who come to Orange County to live, work, and have that dream vacation. 

Related Articles:

“Policing Tourist Areas: Working Where Others Play”, Police Magazine, July 2014.

“Williamsburg:  Policing Where the Present Meets the Past”, Police Magazine, July 2014

(c) 2015 IPMBA.  This article appeared in the Fall 2015 issue of IPMBA News. 

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