Spirit of Freedom Celebration
FLORENCE – Enhanced security measures will be in place at the 32nd Spirit of Freedom Festival at McFarland Park this Fourth of July.
In an interview with the Quad-Cities Daily, Florence Police Chief Ron Tyler said that security is their paramount reason for being out in force. “While we always have a lot of security down at the Spirit of Freedom Festival, anytime you have a large crowd confined to such a small area you are going to need security. You always end up having a few people who have had a few too many drinks, possibly illegal drugs being used, and rarely, but on occasion there will be reports of rapes.”
The Chief also said that while the number varies from year to year, approximately tens of thousands of people attend, “Everyone is mindful of what has happened in Boston and there’s a fear of what could happen.”
Ron Tyler – Florence Chief of Police
During this event, attendants can expect to also see UNA’s new bomb dog on patrol around the major areas, as well as police officers on bicycles, Segways, and undercover officers (who may not be so easily identified). All of this is being put in place for the safety of the public and to assist with the Department’s new “See Something, Say Something” campaign.
People will be asked to report any suspicious behavior or any other type of disruptive behavior by fellow attendees, such as a possible backpack left alone, fights, domestic situations, or anything else that seems ‘out-of-place’.
The Chief also states that, ALL major staff around the park will have their own radios in order to inform the police.
