Summer fun, stepped-up security: How Hudson Valley police are preparing for big events
It comes after a church celebration had to but shut down.
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As summer approaches and outdoor events ramp up across the Hudson Valley, local police departments say they're preparing to keep communities safe.
It comes after a church celebration had to be shut down.
A family-fun trip to the Immaculate Conception and Assumption fair on Friday evening quickly took a turn when dozens of teenagers showed up, creating unsafe conditions. The fair was shut down early for the night, but it did open back up for the rest of the weekend with restricted hours.
That event led to concerns about safety. With other big events scheduled across the Hudson Valley this summer, police are detailing the ways they plan to keep everyone safe.
"We have a great mutual aid system where we do drills constantly to make sure we're on the same page," said Detective Sgt. Christopher Salguero, with the Rye Police Department.
The City of Rye is preparing for its sixth annual Pride festival.
"We have officers assigned to it just strictly for that detail on top of our patrol. Then on top of that, obviously, working with our local partners to make them aware of the event, just in case we ever need extra personnel for whatever reason," said Salguero.
Over in Yonkers, they're gearing up for the Hispanic Heritage Parade and Festival. In a statement, a police spokesperson said in part, "The Yonkers Police Department will have an increased presence throughout event areas and will continue to monitor conditions and adjust as necessary to maintain a safe and enjoyable experience for all."
The Westchester County Police Department also has its Real Time Crime Center, where they continue to monitor social media activity.
Police are also asking community members to speak up if they spot any potential trouble.
"We have numerous events throughout the summer and we just want to make sure that they're always safe and without issue," said Salguero.
