New York City pushing back against Parks Enforcement cops' request for guns, report says

(CBS) NEW YORK - New York City is pushing back against local Park Enforcement Patrol officers who are asking for guns, saying it is not necessary, reports CBS New York.

The call for the city to give park officers guns came in the wake of a violent stabbing rampage last week that injured five people - including a toddler - in a New York City park.

Park rangers have the same authority as New York City police officers, including the ability to make arrests. For the last 30 years, they have patrolled thousands of square acres of city parks, reports the station. They patrol on foot and horseback and are outfitted with vests, mace, and batons but cannot carry guns.

A Parks Department representative argued Monday that guns are not necessary for the officers, according to the station.

"The NYPD is the city's primary crime fighting agency. PEP officers focus on enforcing the rules and regulations of the Parks Department, which are primarily quality of life issues," the representative said in a statement.

But Geoffrey Croft, head of New York City Park Advocates, argued that public safety is at risk if Park Enforcement Patrol officers are not armed, reports the station.

"They're not trained and given the proper equipment to do their jobs so it affects the public, and puts them in jeopardy," Croft said.

Local officials reportedly plan to move forward and try to gain legislative support for their officers to carry guns.

Complete coverage of the New York City park stabbing spree on Crimesider