Chardon High School graduates Neil Nemetz and Evan Smythe grew up enjoying the natural beauty of Geauga County’s great outdoors.
Chardon High School graduates Neil Nemetz and Evan Smythe grew up enjoying the natural beauty of Geauga County’s great outdoors.
Now, the two are not only immersed in nature, but have signed on to patrol and protect Geauga Park District’s 28 parks.
“Both rangers are a great addition to our ranger staff and we are very happy to have them,” GPD Chief Ranger Dennis Sloan said.
Nemetz and Smythe join Sloan, Sgt. Ranger Mike Rose and rangers Mike Benesh and Brian Kerr.
“Geauga Park District is proud to welcome our two new rangers,” GPD Executive Director John Oros added. “Neil Nemetz and Evan Smythe are great additions to our team. Each of them has proven their law enforcement capabilities in their own distinct ways. This makes them a great addition to a ranger department that ultimately ensures the day-to-day safety and security of park guests.”
Nemetz began his law enforcement career at Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority.
From there, he went to the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office and served as a SWAT operator (special weapons and tactics) and as part of the transport team.
“I transported prisoners from the CCSO jail to every jail and prison in the state and surrounding states,” Nemetz said.
Nemetz also owns his own business, Geauga Firearms Academy, where he and his wife teach clients all aspects of firearms training — from basic to advanced.
“However, with all the overtime required for the SWAT team, I had to make a choice between CCSO or focusing on my business,” Nemetz said. “That led me to find a law enforcement position closer to home and focus on our business. I then joined the Geauga Park District police department. It was very close to home and was a great opportunity.”
Nemetz started his first park law enforcement job on May 17 with Geauga Park District.
He enjoys having the freedom to patrol 375 square miles of Geauga County and the opportunity to work with all other agencies in the county.
“Other than the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office, we are the only other multi-jurisdictional agency allowing us to go anywhere needed in the county,” Nemetz said.
“I think it’s important for the readers to understand although we are called ‘rangers,’ we are the Geauga Park District police. We have the same authority and we do the same activities such as arrests, investigations and traffic tickets that all agencies in the county have. We are responsible for keeping traffic at reasonable speeds not only in the parks but also on all public roadways near all park properties.”
One of his favorite properties is the sprawling Tupelo Pond area in Big Creek Park by Chardon Township’s bridle trails, which is part of 85 miles of trails the park’s rangers patrol.
When Nemetz is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family off-roading in their side-by-side, camping, fishing and boating together at Lake Roaming Rock in Ashtabula County.
For Smythe, the park district is his first job out of the police academy — having officially started on Aug. 15.
“Learning about the vast contribution of the Geauga County Park rangers was extremely appealing,” Smythe said. “Most people don’t realize how much the park rangers are involved with in the county. In addition to protecting all 27 Geauga County parks, whenever necessary, park rangers will make arrests and pull people over for speeding. Just like any other police officer, our goal is to keep the community safe.”
He emphasized the importance of the rangers supporting the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office and local police departments on a regular basis.
“We are called to help other agencies with traffic crashes, assaults and domestic
violence calls,” Smythe said.
He’s enjoyed living in Chardon most of his life.
“My family moved here in 2000 when I was 7 years old,” he said. “I graduated from Chardon High School in 2012. I am grateful to have found a home and plant my roots in Chardon.”
He appreciates the variety the parks have to offer, as well as being able to patrol them.
“The parks are always expanding and they have plenty of different experiences for
people to explore,” Smythe said. “There is a park for everyone to enjoy.”
His favorite is in Montville Township.
“By far, my favorite park is the Observatory Park because of its uniqueness,” Smythe said.
When he is not working, he enjoys training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts. In the past, he’s competed in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournaments and fought in amateur boxing.
“It’s always fun to go to the gym to train and spar with friends,” Smythe said. “Other than that, you can find me spending my time with my dog or hiking outside and enjoying nature at one of our beautiful Geauga County parks.”
Both Nemetz and Smythe are vested in the county community at large, Oros added.
“Their investment in Geauga Park District and Geauga County make both of them great additions to our approach to community-based policing and serving our park guests,” he said.
