Rangers & Safety
MetroParks Focuses on Safety.
The ranger division of Five Rivers MetroParks provides 24-hour law enforcement to MetroPark visitors and staff at more than 25 facilities covering more than 15,000 acres of land. More than 30 rangers work together to protect persons, property and natural resources and to preserve the public peace by enforcing park regulations and the laws of the state of Ohio on and adjacent to lands owned or managed by Five Rivers MetroParks.
Emergencies: Dial 911
Inform the dispatcher that you are in a MetroParks facility, and a ranger will be dispatched to your location immediately. Please remain calm during an emergency. If you do not provide your location in a calm manner, the dispatcher may not be able to hear you clearly. This may delay our response time. Be as descriptive as possible when providing your location so a ranger will be able to quickly find and assist you.
Non-emergencies: Call (937) 225-4357
Call the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at 225-HELP (4357) to reach the Regional Dispatch Center, and a ranger will be dispatched to your location as soon as possible.
In emergency and nonemergency situations, please inform the sheriff’s department dispatcher that you are in a MetroParks facility and request a ranger. A MetroParks ranger will be notified and will respond to the situation as soon as possible.
Ranger Patrol Units
- All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Unit: This unit patrols recreation trails and parkland. ATVs are valuable assets to the ranger division because they can reach remote areas and cover a large area in a short amount of time.
- Bike Patrol Unit: This unit patrols recreation trails and the parks year-round.
- Cruiser Patrol: Most MetroParks rangers patrol from cars and also will patrol on foot along trails.
- Marine Patrol Unit: This unit patrols the lake at Eastwood MetroPark.
Community Opportunities
Law Enforcement Explorers
The Explorers program allows you to discover the many career opportunities in law enforcement and determine if it is the right field for you. Young men and women ages 14 to 20 (who have completed 8th grade) can get hands-on experience by volunteering for the community and participating in ride-alongs with the Five Rivers MetroParks rangers.
To apply, complete the Explorer application online, or download and print a paper application. Then submit the liability release form and medical form to Officer Adam Gaby, 2151 Embury Park Road, Dayton, OH 45414.
Programs
The ranger division’s community resource officer (CRO) is active in law enforcement programs in the parks. The CRO continually implements innovative and exciting programs for people of all ages.
Five Rivers MetroParks Rangers participate in the Ohio Buckles Buckeyes program, which provides child safety and booster seats to eligible, low-income families. Contact CRO Adam Gaby for more information.
MetroParks Volunteer Patrol (MVP)
More than 30 dedicated volunteers log more than 3,000 hours annually patrolling recreation trails and assisting park visitors. Are you interested in becoming an MVP? Contact Volunteer Services to learn how to get involved.
