A birds eye-view from several hundred feet above the Southwick Firemen’s Association Carnival Saturday evening. (File Photo by Frederick Gore © 2013 )
SOUTHWICK – The Fireman’s Association Carnival last weekend was a success, thanks in part to police presence that kept the crowds orderly.
Police Chief David Ricardi said the Southwick Police Department has always supported the carnival and parade with patrols.
“Depending on the size of the carnival, we have a number of officers,” he said. “We are there to protect the community and the people who come to participate in the events.”
There was some concern voiced by a few people in attendance about the number of officers and how they are paid.
Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart said the officers on parade and carnival detail are paid by a Fire Department Community Outreach account.
Former Police Chief Mark Krynicki and former Fire Chief Donald Morris worked together with Stinehart and the Board of Selectmen to create the budget account, which was allotted $4,500 last year. Prior to that, Stinehart said the funds came from the police budget.
“The former (police) chief didn’t think the department should be paying for police presence for a non-profit event,” Stinehart said.
Having police patrol the parade and carnival is a necessity. Stinehart recalled several instances of youths fighting over the years, and said having more police on site is a safety measure.
“It is important to keep law and order,” said Stinehart of the event that attracts families to Southwick.
While the number of officers on duty throughout last weekend’s events was not readily available, in Westfield, 15 officers plus members of the auxiliary police kept order at the city’s fireworks event on July 6.
Westfield Rotary Club Past President Mark Boardman said the club spent $22,000 on the fireworks display and related costs for the event, but the cost of police, fire and other emergency personnel was not included.
“We don’t receive a bill for that,” Boardman said. “That is part of the city’s contribution.”
Boardman added that Stanley Park, where the fireworks are held, contributes to security as well, with its own park rangers and other staff, and said the city’s public works contributes by collecting trash the next day.
As part of the City of Westfield’s memorandum of understanding with the Westfield Business Improvement District (BID) the city agrees to provide the BID with in-kind services like sanitation, and Police and Fire Department support, for events like Thursday night’s MusicFest concert downtown.
