The Des Moines Police Department has announced that its Downtown Traffic Enforcement Team, popularly known as the ‘Loop Squad,’ will not be operational this summer. This decision comes as a result of budgetary changes affecting various departments across the city.

Impact on Downtown Traffic Enforcement

Since its inception in 2024, the Loop Squad has played a crucial role in maintaining traffic order around the Pappajohn Sculpture Park during the busy summer months. The team was responsible for addressing quality of life issues, issuing over 3,300 citations, making more than 150 arrests, and giving nearly 700 warnings in its first summer alone.

Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek acknowledged the challenges posed by the budget cuts, stating, “It’s not ideal by any means, but it’s what we have to work with right now.” He emphasized the importance of keeping the police workforce “healthy and strong,” which sometimes requires trying different operational models.

Ensuring Continued Safety

Despite the absence of the Loop Squad, Sgt. Parizek assured residents that police presence would continue in the downtown area. “No matter what, when somebody calls us, somebody’s going to come,” he said, highlighting the department’s commitment to responding to emergencies.

He also mentioned that the department is exploring alternative strategies to ensure effective policing. “There’s all kinds of different things we can do. We just want to figure out which one is going to work the best right now,” Parizek added.

The Des Moines Police Department is encouraging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, using the phrase “if you see something, say something” to help prevent potential issues from escalating.

Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.