SULTAN — Officials hope beefing up punishments in the city’s parks will help stymie loitering, drinking and partying.

The City Council voted unanimously last week to bump up the penalties for camping and trespassing in city parks from civil infractions to misdemeanors subject to a $250 fine.

“We could send the police down there, but there’s not much they could do,” Mayor Carolyn Eslick said.

Camping is prohibited in city parks and so are alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, profanity and disorderly conduct. No one is allowed to be in parks after dark.

The mayor said tougher penalties will allow police to lock up repeat offenders.

The problem with the old regulations?

“There weren’t any,” said Lt. Jeff Brand, the Sultan police chief.

Brand took over those duties Jan. 1 as part of a deal with the city to contract out police services to the Snohomish County sheriff’s office. Brand also serves as the commander of the east precinct, which also moved to Sultan. The city hoped the extra police presence would help with crime.

The city has struggled with people who loiter or camp in parks, Eslick said. Teenagers also party by the river and the homeless accost people in parks, she said.

“We don’t want to have people camping and living in the park,” Brand said. “We don’t want people in the park after dark. We don’t want alcohol in the park. Once we have these regulations in place, we can monitor what they are doing and take enforcement action.”

The city owns Osprey Park, Reese Park, Sportsman’s Park, River Park and a new skate park.

Debra Smith: 425-339-3197 or dsmith@heraldnet.com.