Pedestrians walk along M.L. King Blvd. Monday during the Bessie Smith Strut on the fourth day of Riverbend 2011.Logistical and continual safety concerns prompted city officials to move the Bessie Smith Strut from M.L. King Boulevard to the Riverbend site at Ross's Landing, according to a news release.
The Strut will be known as the Bessie Smith Celebration. The event will be held on June 11.
The event's new location will ensure controlled access, the release stated.
"We addressed some safety concerns last year yet we continue to get complaints about a safe environment at the Strut," said Mayor Ron Littlefield in the release. "Our primary concern is the safety of our citizens. We want the event to be safe for everyone but we can't guarantee that safety without some sort of control and order. I have asked that Friends of the Festival work with the City and move the event to the riverfront where Friends of the Festival organizers are able to ensure a higher level of safety."
Chattanooga Police Officers have dealt with a certain level of violent and sometimes criminal behavior at the Strut.
However, a tragic Christmas day shooting in which nine people were injured has intensified the need to continue to address concerns about youth violence, the news release stated.
"We send a conflicting message to our kids when we demand that they change their behavior on the one hand and then turn around and tolerate unacceptable conduct on the other," said Chattanooga Police Chief Bobby Dodd. "It's a shame that there is a growing group of unruly and irresponsible people who have compromised the safety of the Strut for all participants.