Q: Why do the John Topits Park hosts have expired plates on their recreational vehicle? Are they permanent park hosts? If so, do they pay for space rent plus utilities?

A: The city of Coos Bay has hosts at two of its parks, two of its boat ramps and at the city docks. In exchange for providing year-round surveillance and, in some cases, keeping nearby restrooms clean, the city supplies its hosts with free rent and utilities, said Operations Administrator Steve Doty. The city does not provide living quarters, however, so hosts must arrange for their own.

“Having hosts prevents a lot of vandalism,” Doty said. “If they weren’t there, those restrooms would be trashed.”

Whenever the city is between hosts, Doty said, there is a marked increase in the number of criminal mischief incidents.

In addition to the John Topits host, the city has arrangements with volunteers at the Empire and Eastside boatramps, and the Scout cabin in Mingus Park.