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WARREN -- From police coordination to meticulous planning, Warren's festival security is a collaborative effort among law enforcement, city officials and festival organizers to create a seamless and safe environment for the community.
"Normally, we're contacted by the festival committee, and they let us know how many officers they need," Warren Police Capt. Robert Massucci said. "We review the request and ask for the number of people, whether or not alcohol is being served, what their needs are for law enforcement personnel, and the organizers contract us."
Massucci also said that because of staffing levels at the Warren Police Department, if they're unable to garner enough officers, their department reaches out to the Trumbull County Sheriff's Office.
In rare cases, Massucci said if either law enforcement agency can't fulfill the need for security, the next step is reaching out to police in nearby municipalities.
Festival organizers pay the wages for police officers who pick up security detail.
Corey Hovance, who runs the Warren-Italian American Heritage Festival, said security is one of the most costly aspects of their yearly event.
Earlier this month, the four-day festival celebrated its 38th year, attracting between 15,000 and 30,000 people to Courthouse Square, which made the need for security vital.
"We'll meet as a board of trustees, but also we get together with Mayor Doug Franklin and Safety Director Eddie Colbert multiple times a year to discuss what we need, what's new and what they can provide for support," Hovance said.
Hovance said the typical cost of security runs them between $15,000 and $18,000 for the event.
"We definitely don't shy away from any sort of price. Unfortunately, in today's day, that has to be a priority, especially with the craziness going on," Hovance said.
That money provides the payment for off-duty officers and security fencing around Courthouse Square, where the festival is hosted that he believes serves as a deterrent for unruly behavior.
"People see that and see that they can't get out then you have the added presence of policemen around the venue that make it a deterrent," Hovance said.
Hovance said members of the Warren PD, sheriff's office and auxiliary police are stationed at each gate around the square during the event. In addition, the event includes a night patrol during and after the festival.
"Many of our crowd members are older and because of the parking situation downtown, they could have to park blocks away so we want the presence of security to make people feel safe walking back to their cars," Hovance said.
He said an officer is stationed at all times at the festival's main and second beer tents -- patrolling officers will rotate in and out of the area.
An extra emphasis was placed on public safety measures by Hovance and the festival committee following a June 4 shooting of three people that occurred in a downtown plaza. The incident was just a short walk from the African American Achievers Association festival taking place in the square.
"This is one of the largest festivals in the area, and I wanted to make sure everybody was safe. And that was our first priority," Hovance said.
"We made sure that we even had more security guards this year than last year."
Hovance said that on a given day the festival employs 13 to 16 officers at a time.
Kim Johnson, representative for the Trumbull County African American Achievers Association, said four levels are implemented in its security plan for the African American Heritage Festival.
That entails meeting with city officials to discuss how it can support the festival with on-site presence from the police departments.
Johnson said a schedule is created detailing which officers will be present on a given day.
"These officers are off duty working on a detail paid for by TCAAAA. Second, we reach out to the sheriff's department to secure help from any deputy or auxiliary deputy to assist WPD and provide security and assistance at all the fair entrances," Johnson said.
The association's final piece of coverage seeks help from men from all the churches in the community to come to the festival throughout the weekend to be a presence
"They are mentors to all the youth who visit the festival in some capacity, be that as a teacher, preacher, grandfather, uncle, cousin, neighbor, former coach," Johnson said.
"These levels of security have been very effective and worked because of the personal commitment from everyone who has worked the festival."