Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Lakewood’s Gay Games Precautions
Think Fourth of July fireworks day.
If you have ever tried to get into or out of Lakewood the day of fireworks, you know that there is a police moat around the Lake Avenue portion of the village.
“Our intent is to try to direct everyone to Main Beach,” Lakewood Chief of Police Lawrence Howell told McHenry County Blog. (The eastern border of Lakewood is about at the western edge of the Main Beach.)
If one is a policeman, it will either be an overtime bonanza or another missed weekend opportunity with the family.
“We will have six officers on overtime,” Chief Howell said.
And, Chicago Games, Inc. (the real name of the Gay Games), is expected to pay the bill. He estimates the cost at $4,000 to $8,000.
“They will have to sign waivers,” the chief continued. “When people use village-owned property, (that is) the lake, they have to sign waivers, indemnification agreements and provide insurance.”
Given the money-losing history of previous Gay Games, McHenry County Blog asked whether advance payment or a bond had been requested to pay for the extra expenses that Lakewood will experience.
“At this point, we have not asked for it,” he replied. “Down the road we may ask for it.”
Asked how much Gay Games organizers will have to pay to rent the lake, the chief replied, “There is no charge for the use of the lake. That is covered the waiver of the ($15) stickers. Normally, when people use the lake, the strikers cover than cost.”
Chief Howell pointed out that lake use is governed by an intergovernmental agreement signed by his village, the City of Crystal Lake and the Park District.
”We have nothing in that agreement that allows us to charge for the use of the lake.”
So, what will the extra police do?
“We will not be allowing anyone in the Gates area. We will be blocking off the traffic, (allowing) local traffic only,” Chief Howell explained. “Each street leading to South Shore (Drive) will be barricaded and local traffic will be the only traffic allowed to enter. I’ll have two squads running up and down South Shore all the time.”
If you have ever tried to get into or out of Lakewood the day of fireworks, you know that there is a police moat around the Lake Avenue portion of the village.“Our intent is to try to direct everyone to Main Beach,” Lakewood Chief of Police Lawrence Howell told McHenry County Blog. (The eastern border of Lakewood is about at the western edge of the Main Beach.)
If one is a policeman, it will either be an overtime bonanza or another missed weekend opportunity with the family.
“We will have six officers on overtime,” Chief Howell said.
And, Chicago Games, Inc. (the real name of the Gay Games), is expected to pay the bill. He estimates the cost at $4,000 to $8,000.
“They will have to sign waivers,” the chief continued. “When people use village-owned property, (that is) the lake, they have to sign waivers, indemnification agreements and provide insurance.”
Given the money-losing history of previous Gay Games, McHenry County Blog asked whether advance payment or a bond had been requested to pay for the extra expenses that Lakewood will experience.
“At this point, we have not asked for it,” he replied. “Down the road we may ask for it.”
Asked how much Gay Games organizers will have to pay to rent the lake, the chief replied, “There is no charge for the use of the lake. That is covered the waiver of the ($15) stickers. Normally, when people use the lake, the strikers cover than cost.”
Chief Howell pointed out that lake use is governed by an intergovernmental agreement signed by his village, the City of Crystal Lake and the Park District.
”We have nothing in that agreement that allows us to charge for the use of the lake.”
So, what will the extra police do?
“We will not be allowing anyone in the Gates area. We will be blocking off the traffic, (allowing) local traffic only,” Chief Howell explained. “Each street leading to South Shore (Drive) will be barricaded and local traffic will be the only traffic allowed to enter. I’ll have two squads running up and down South Shore all the time.”
Labels: CCAPOA, Chicago Games, Crystal Lake, Gay Games, Gay Games Regatta, Lakewood, Lakewood Police, Lawrence Howell, Main Beach
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Kudos to Chief Howell. Lakewood Police will be handling the regatta as they do all other Main Beach events. I would expect no different for this event.
I was starting to wonder if my higher taxes were actually worth it. It sounds like Lakewood will be doing their job on Lake Avenue that weekend.
I was starting to wonder if my higher taxes were actually worth it. It sounds like Lakewood will be doing their job on Lake Avenue that weekend.
I also find it curious that no bond has been requested. I live in Lakewood. I pay Lakewood taxes. When I had work done in my own home, I had to provide a BOND payable to the Village of Lakewood. The job cost less than $5000. The bond was for $10,000.
Seems they should have required the same for the financial protection of our police officers.
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Seems they should have required the same for the financial protection of our police officers.
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