As thousands prepare to pack the streets to celebrate the Cotton District Arts Festival, the Starkville Police Department makes adjustments to its security and patrols.
SPD Public Information Officer Brandon Lovelady said to prepare for this weekend, officers will be preparing their special vehicles such as Segways and utility vehicles as well as foot patrol units, which will consist of two or three person team.
In the Cotton District, SPD has two cameras to cover the area, one of which has recently been updated in the last few days. Certain personnel will have access to the cameras via mobile at all times.
Just like any event, Lovelady said all officers are geared and ready to go.
“On big event weekends, everybody that you see in the department that is a sworn police officer is wearing a regular uniform right now,” Lovelady said. “We’re set up to augment as needed.”
The Starkville Board of Aldermen recently approved to have removable bollards placed in high traffic areas where events occur. Lovelady said the department will use them to their advantage this year and learn how to better use them once the weekend is over.
Bollards are small poles designated to block off streets to prevent motor vehicles from driving onto the street.
“This will be the first time we use the new bollards that are going to be down in that area,” Lovelady said. “I believe that after we get a feel for their use and effectiveness it’ll help us better gauge how we use them in the future.”
He said although this is the first time utilizing the bollards, having the opportunity to utilize them for an event of this magnitude helps them “redirect” their resources.
Although a larger presence of people will venture to Starkville this weekend, Lovelady said SPD will handle this weekend just like they handle any other big event weekend.
As for numbers of officers, Lovelady said usually during large events like the Cotton District Arts Festival the number of officers can be up in the teens or more.
“Most of our personnel will be in this weekend in one fashion or the other,” Lovelady said.
Lovelady said although there will be a concentration of officers in the areas of the events, SPD will still adhere to its normal patrol.
When it comes to safety, Lovelady said it is important for residents and attendees to work together with law enforcement to ensure a safe and fun Super Bulldog Weekend.
“If you see something suspicious please say something,” Lovelady said. “Please call the police department or flag down an officer, there will officers throughout the event and numerous officers working the roads because of all the other events that are happening on campus too.”