Security boost pays off at local festival

By Johna Strickland - Argus Observer
Thursday, May 24, 2007 2:32 PM PDT

Payette - After gang fights at Payette’s 2006 Apple Blossom Festival, Payette Police Chief Mark Clark increased security for the 2007 festival.

Clark’s move apparently paid off, as no serious gang incidents were reported during the weekend.

“We kinda ganged up on them on our end,” Clark said. “We were running four to six people per night last year. This year we had 25 security (officers) just on foot patrol, and then out on regular patrol, we (Payette Police Department) had a total of four patrol cars working traffic. Payette County Sheriff’s (Office) had three, I believe.” Clark worked with officers from his department, the Payette Sheriff’s Office, Weiser Police Department, Idaho Juvenile Probation, Idaho State Probation and Parole and several members from the Nampa and Caldwell gang unit to provide security last weekend, he said.

“I called ‘em up and entered into some cooperative agreements with them,” Clark said. “We are very appreciative to all the agencies who participated. We were very pleased with the way things turned out. ... It was standing rules that we would not allow any gang attire to be worn in the carnival area. If we witnessed any gang activity or groups, they were asked to break up. There was a couple of arrests from people who refused to cooperate, disorderly conduct.”

In 2006, several gang members, dressed in gang attire and displaying gang colors, frequented the festival and challenged rival gang members to fight throughout the carnival area, Clark said. Several arrests were made those nights when gang activity spiked, with officers using tasers to subdue some gang members.

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Additionally, a riotous environment was incited “where the officers were surrounded by people taunting them,” Clark said.

“This year we noticed a big difference, by providing that type of security, that families were staying later and enjoying themselves without having to worry about those sort of incidents. And we received a lot of comments from the public thanking us for the high volume of security we provided.”