Reports of unruly visitors at the Army Corps Park Ripon River Crossing area at the Stanislaus River last summer will have police stepping up efforts in enforcing the Residential Parking Permit Program with steeper fines.

At last Tuesday's Ripon City Council meeting, Police Chief Ed Ormonde, in response to the increased levels of traffic, parking congestion, criminal activities and other complaints affecting the quality of life to residents of the Ripon Bluffs neighborhood, unveiled plans to address these issues.

Phase 1 calls for additional parking permit signs, adding notice of entry, fine amount, and increased fine amounts for those in violation of the Residential Parking Permit Program enacted in 2016.

The fine will increase from the current $50 for a first-time offense, doubling to $100 — second offenses will go from $100 to $200, and third offenses will jump from $200 to $500.

The new signs are in the process of being installed.

According to police, since the inception of the Residential Parking Permit Program four years ago the department witnessed various degrees of success in implementing patrol tactics. There were "increased and decreased use of the area, depending on weather, water flows, accessibility, and availability of the area," Ormonde said in his Council report.

All that changed in 2020.

"This area saw unprecedented use, attracting people from as far away as Merced and the East Bay to access the Stanislaus River and other area attractions.

"This increased use led to the resurfacing of many issues that plagued the Ripon Bluffs neighborhood prior to the inception of the Residential Parking Permit Program," Ormonde added.

Police and residents began discussions on this problem, in turn, forming a committee to address the increased problem.