NEDERLAND — Parks access across Nederland is being reduced by as much as two hours to increase safety during nighttime hours.

Nederland City Council members voted unanimously Monday on a new set of yearly hours for all city parks.

From November through March, parks will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

From April through October, parks will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Before this week’s vote, open park hours were between 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. all year long.

Although not addressed specifically during Monday’s council meeting, city leaders and police officials previously told The Port Arthur News the reduction in hours followed an increase in violent crime reported in November at Doornbos Park, where separate incidents included two people shot and an assault on a patron walking with a service dog.

With a new ordinance in place, Police Chief Gary Porter said violators face a misdemeanor charge if they are found in the park after hours.

In addition, authorities said officers have increased patrols in and around Doornbos Park.

City Manager Chris Duque added that a move to increase lighting at the park is nearly complete.

Duque also said the city is working with the Nederland Independent School District and local utility companies to determine where property boundaries reach in a effort to erect more fencing around the park.

In other business, City Council members voted unanimously to prohibit camping in numerous designated places across Nederland.

Duque said the action was spurred by the recent discovery of an outdoor living camp on Highway 365 behind RaceWay gas station.

The no camping designation is targeted at the growing homeless and vagrant population that Duque said has been at its highest locally since Hurricane Harvey.

Nederland officials said they are willing to work with any church or homeless-advocacy organization that believes more can be done for the homeless population.

During discussion on the camping ordinance, a meeting attendee said there was an outdoor living camp set up behind a shopping center in the 1400 block of U.S. 69.

Duque said the new ordinance allows authorities to clear any illegal camps that mimic “living conditions” because they pose a health threat and nuisance.

The next Nederland City Council meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at Nederland City Hall, 207 N. 12^th St.