Operation Addresses Illegal Activity at Fairmount Park
Published: 09/03/2026
Police Department
LARRY V. GONZALEZ
Chief of Police
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2026
CONTACT:
Detective Steven Espinosa
Public Information Officer
Community Services Bureau
(951) 897-5866 (Media Contact)
OPERATION ADDRESSES ILLEGAL ACTIVITY AT FAIRMOUNT PARK
RIVERSIDE, CA – On Wednesday, September 2, 2026, members of the Riverside Public Safety and Engagement Team (PSET), Riverside Police Department, Riverside Code Enforcement, Riverside County Department of Animal Services, and Parks and Neighborhood Specialists(PANS) participated in a coordinated special enforcement operation at Fairmount Park.
During the operation, personnel contacted individuals occupying encampments located near the playground and carousel areas, including the area behind the Armory. Following their investigations, Riverside Police Department officers took 17 individuals into custody for various violations, including illegal camping, outstanding warrants, probation violations, and trespassing.
Of the 17 arrests, 7 were felony arrests and 10 were misdemeanor arrests. 14 individuals were booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center, 2 were cited and then transported to a local hospital for medical care, and 1 individual was cited and released at the scene.
Following the enforcement operation, Riverside Code Enforcement personnel canvassed the property and conducted a comprehensive cleanup of the affected areas. Encampment-related materials, abandoned property, trash, rubbish, debris, drug paraphernalia, and other miscellaneous items were removed, restoring the area to a cleaner and safer condition.
The Riverside Police Department and its partner agencies will continue to work collaboratively to address illegal encampments through coordinated enforcement, outreach, and property abatement efforts. These partnerships are essential to preserving Fairmount Park and other public spaces as safe, clean, and accessible areas for residents and visitors to enjoy.
