Community events grow

OTHELLO — An increase in community events calls for more police in Othello.

Othello Police Chief Steve Dunnagan advised the city council during a Monday workshop there is a need for an officer to man the parking lots for large events.

He said there have been a few recent events in town where some things got out of control.

At one event people paid $40 to see a concert and the bands did not show up. The crowd became disorderly in the parking lot.

"There was a large angry crowd," Dunnagan said. "People wanted their money back."

Even when there is not a crowd, sometimes there are underage youth drinking alcohol or people fighting in the parking lots at the events.

Having to perform crowd control duties during the events causes the officers to take time away from their normal duties.

Event sponsors provide security to the event but they are not responsible for what happens in the parking lot.

"I would propose that as part of the permitting process a fee cover the overtime cost of one or two officers to be on duty in the parking lots and surrounding areas be assessed," he requested.

When a large public event such as a concert takes place, the permit fee is $50.

Dunnagan suggested the fee be increased to cover overtime pay for an officer, such as for each 500 attendees the city could charge $35 per hour.

He plans to research the idea further and present a formal request to the council during a regular council meeting.