EL PASO, Texas -- Gerry Hayes and her neighbors keep an eye on their northeast El Paso neighborhood to keep the bad guys out.

“On a street like this if a strange car comes in we know it," said Hayes.

For the past few years, neighbors have a picnic and take part in National Night Out Against crime. However, this year there could be a problem with the party.

"Security deposit, this says $1500," said Hayes as she read off a list of fees that the City of El Paso may charge for the event.

Hayes is ringing up the cost to put on the picnic at Todd Ware park and she said it doesn't look pretty. Last year she said the Castner Heights neighborhood only spent $30 in permit fees to hold the event at the park, but this year there’s a much bigger figure.

"This year it's going to be over $2,000," she told KFOX. "I was in shock because the fees are ridiculous," she said.

She said the neighborhood association was told about security fees, costs to use the park by the hour and garbage collection just to name a few.

KFOX asked city representatives about the sudden hike and fees and requirements and they said the fees were there all along-- they just weren't charging people.

"There were some instances where fees were not being applied consistently,” said Noelle Nevarez, a spokesperson for the city.

It's an issue KFOX discovered has been happening since at least March, when the city admitted that employees were not enforcing the fees. City representative said it is still something that they are trying to put their finger on.

"I don't want to speculate,” said Nevarez. “I don't want to speculate and say why in particular, if it was an employee, you know different employees across the board. If it was a misunderstanding as to the fee schedule, I'm just not quite sure,” she said.

The city said it does not know how much money it has lost out on because the fees were not enforced properly. Representative said they are working to fix the situation.

Hayes said the neighborhood will try to hold the event, even if it is a small gathering in front of their homes.