By Ginny LaRoe
Staff Writer
Chattanooga police said that while providing security at the annual Riverbend Festival drains the department's manpower, public safety does not suffer during the nine-day event.
The Chattanooga Police Department spent $121,000 of its $38.88 million 2005 budget, including $8,000 in overtime, to police the music festival last year, figures show.
But the number of officers patrolling the festival sites won't be disclosed, Police Chief Steve Parks said.
"We want to ensure the public has adequate officers to have a safe festival," he said. "(But) we don't think it’s in the best interest of our mission to publicize that number."
Chief Parks said officers are pulled from all areas of the department including patrol, major crimes and property crimes. But he said the department will "make do."
Lt. Alan Chance, head of the property crimes unit, said some investigations will halt because four pawn detectives will be on Riverbend patrol.
"It's a good tourist draw, but it puts an enormous strain on the police department," he said.
Staffing shortages occur not only during Riverbend but for several days before and after the event because officers take days off, he said.
"It normally takes about a 14- to 18-day period before we can get back to business as usual," Lt. Chance said.
Lt. Mike Mathis, head of the department's major crimes unit, said eight of the about 40 major crimes employees will be assigned to Riverbend.
However, the unit's investigations, such as homicides, missing persons and sexual assaults, will not suffer, he said.
"The safety is not jeopardized," Lt. Mathis said.
Police said historically there is relatively little crime at the festival, and most violations stem from drinking.
"There's going to be people who have too much to drink who want to fight," said Lt. Stan Allen, head of special event planning.
Police made 41 arrests and ejected 57 people from Riverbend last year, according to department records.
Officers said they recall only one major crime in the area of the festival, and that was in 2003 after the Bessie Smith Strut when Tory Hardy, 20, was shot to death and a 15-year-old, Ronald Harris, was injured.
Rheubin Taylor II was convicted in January of voluntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, attempted voluntary manslaughter and reckless aggravated assault in the case. Timothy S.
Beasley also is charged in the case and is awaiting trial.
Until last year, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department provided a number of deputies during the festival. Because of budget constraints, that department provided only a few deputies for the Bessie Smith Strut last year, Sheriff John Cupp said.
He said no deputies will be assigned to the event this year.
Event organizers estimate the festival may attract 600,000 people over its eight-day run, not including the Bessie Smith Strut, which is Monday's free event held along M.L. King Boulevard.
Riverbend, which begins Friday and ends June 17, takes place primarily downtown along the 21st Century Waterfront.
E-mail Ginny LaRoe at glaroe@timesfreepress.com
Staff Writer
Chattanooga police said that while providing security at the annual Riverbend Festival drains the department's manpower, public safety does not suffer during the nine-day event.
The Chattanooga Police Department spent $121,000 of its $38.88 million 2005 budget, including $8,000 in overtime, to police the music festival last year, figures show.
But the number of officers patrolling the festival sites won't be disclosed, Police Chief Steve Parks said.
"We want to ensure the public has adequate officers to have a safe festival," he said. "(But) we don't think it’s in the best interest of our mission to publicize that number."
Chief Parks said officers are pulled from all areas of the department including patrol, major crimes and property crimes. But he said the department will "make do."
Lt. Alan Chance, head of the property crimes unit, said some investigations will halt because four pawn detectives will be on Riverbend patrol.
"It's a good tourist draw, but it puts an enormous strain on the police department," he said.
Staffing shortages occur not only during Riverbend but for several days before and after the event because officers take days off, he said.
"It normally takes about a 14- to 18-day period before we can get back to business as usual," Lt. Chance said.
Lt. Mike Mathis, head of the department's major crimes unit, said eight of the about 40 major crimes employees will be assigned to Riverbend.
However, the unit's investigations, such as homicides, missing persons and sexual assaults, will not suffer, he said.
"The safety is not jeopardized," Lt. Mathis said.
Police said historically there is relatively little crime at the festival, and most violations stem from drinking.
"There's going to be people who have too much to drink who want to fight," said Lt. Stan Allen, head of special event planning.
Police made 41 arrests and ejected 57 people from Riverbend last year, according to department records.
Officers said they recall only one major crime in the area of the festival, and that was in 2003 after the Bessie Smith Strut when Tory Hardy, 20, was shot to death and a 15-year-old, Ronald Harris, was injured.
Rheubin Taylor II was convicted in January of voluntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, attempted voluntary manslaughter and reckless aggravated assault in the case. Timothy S.
Beasley also is charged in the case and is awaiting trial.
Until last year, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department provided a number of deputies during the festival. Because of budget constraints, that department provided only a few deputies for the Bessie Smith Strut last year, Sheriff John Cupp said.
He said no deputies will be assigned to the event this year.
Event organizers estimate the festival may attract 600,000 people over its eight-day run, not including the Bessie Smith Strut, which is Monday's free event held along M.L. King Boulevard.
Riverbend, which begins Friday and ends June 17, takes place primarily downtown along the 21st Century Waterfront.
E-mail Ginny LaRoe at glaroe@timesfreepress.com
