For over 40 years the Carthage Police Department (CPD) has been instrumental in helping support the Fathers at the CRM in coordinating logistics and ensuring a safe Marian Days festival. On the surface this may seem simple, however the depth and degree of operations, logistics and planning to prepare for an event of this size and magnitude is complex.
The command staff coordinates staffing schedules, working with internal staff and outside agencies. Each shift has command staff, checkpoint officers, and foot teams who actively patrol. A BIG thank you to the Carthage Nazarene for offering the use of their facilities as command center. This is a major upgrade from the use of the command bus in previous years. At first the command bus was on the CRM grounds, moving to the Salvation Army parking lot around 2012, which provided more space, bathrooms and use of the entire parking lot. Moving from the command bus to the Carthage Nazarene in 2023 was a game changer for the CPD. This gave them the ability to provide space for all emergency personnel, as a central hub for event logistics and safety coordination.
Safety is paramount. The CPD provides oversight of the parameters on the grounds through patrol and video surveillance. They also work closely with federal agencies, including the FBI. The detectives work with the outside agencies on criminal investigations. They also focus their time on missing persons, including children separated from parents and the elderly. “We couldn’t do it without each other,” stated Lieutenant Pinnell.
Each year the CPD is looking for ways to improve operations and support officers. With Marian Days falling on the first week of August each year, it is usually very hot and humid, which can make for long days for those working the event. This year it was the street department’s idea to create a “carport” of sorts for checkpoint one to shield the officers from the hot sun. In previous years they had used a tent canopy. With this being the main entrance to the grounds, it needed a bigger covering. The first canopy they installed began to tear apart. Mallory Canvas made them one same day and Public Works came to install it. A true team effort!
Another new improvement this year was the incorporation of a QR code linked to a Microsoft Form to register vehicles that were being parked on the grounds. This helps, as it provides contact information to the CPD in the event the car is parked in the fire lane or on private property. Last year, they collected information via an iPad. This helped reduce the towed vehicles from over 50 to about 17, however it created a long line for those trying to enter the grounds. This year with the help of our IT department, CPD was able to incorporate this efficiency.
The culture of the event is family focused and incredibly friendly. The residents of this beautiful tent city are respectful and grateful for the CPD presence throughout the festival. As you drive by on a golf cart, you are shown a big smile and a wave. The kiddos feel at home, as they run up to collect Junior CPD stickers. You may also see them playing catch or getting into a water balloon fight. The CPD presence at this festival for over the past 40 years has created a bond of friendship and family to last a lifetime.
Lieutenant Miller reflected, “Although coordinating everything is a huge undertaking for us here at CPD, we really enjoy the change of pace and being out there with everyone. We enjoy working with officers from other jurisdictions and being immersed in the welcoming Vietnamese culture. It is something we look forward to every year.”