Columbus City Council tabled a proposal for heightened security and other measures at the Columbus Fairgrounds at its Tuesday evening meeting.
Mark Jackson, a local attorney representing the Columbus Fair and Livestock Association and its manager Jane Jordan, presented the changes to the council he hoped would lift a moratorium on events at the location that served alcohol.
The proposed changes focus on increased communication with Columbus Police Department through Police Chief Oscar Lewis and stiffened security around the facility beyond what’s required by city ordinance. In the proposal, Jordan would apply for a permit through the police department at least five days before any permitted event.
“One of the things we want to do is be sure that Chief Lewis is apprised of what’s going on at the fairgrounds any time we have an event,” Jackson said. “That way, the police department can be prepared for any type of incident that may occur.”
The proposal, which Jackson said Lewis has reviewed, comes after the council imposed a 90-day moratorium on all fairgrounds events in early January. That moratorium was later softened to only events where alcohol is served.
City officials issued the moratorium after 25-year-old Jeremy Wells was shot in the fairgrounds parking lot during a private party on Dec. 26. Jordan had not applied for an event permit prior to the party, telling the council she had not known how many people would attend and that there wasn’t supposed to be alcohol consumed. Ordinance requires a permit for any event where more than 100 people are expected to attend and where alcohol will be present.
Jackson said Jordan is in the process of obtaining insurance in excess of the $250,000 liability policy required by city ordinance, and the proposal requires lessees to have their own event insurance.
The proposal also states that signs will be posted at the gate detailing the hours of operation, forbidding alcohol consumption by minors, noting the gate is the only authorized entrance to the facility, and banning weapons such as guns, knives and brass knuckles.
Under the proposal, the fairgrounds will close at 1:30 a.m., with security personnel remaining until 2 a.m. to ensure the premises have been cleared. Lessees will be required to provide bonded security personnel, and demonstrate to the owner they have enough security based on the size of the event before applying for a permit.
Security is required to use hand wands at all entrances to fairgrounds buildings to check for weapons, and will keep a headcount of all people entering the building.
“One of the issues that has happened in the past is not keeping up with the headcount and knowing how many people are there and how many people the chief is aware of that are going to be there,” Jackson said. “If that number is exceeded, shut down the premises and alert Columbus Police Department.”
Jackson also noted Jordan is in the process of installing LED lighting and cameras for the fairgrounds parking lot and at the entrance to the building on the premises.
Ward 4 Councilman Marty Turner questioned the cameras’ placement, asking if they would be able to see if anything happens outside on facility grounds, and if any would be placed inside the building. Jackson said they’re planned to be placed around facility and building entrances.
Taylor, who motioned to table the issue, said he wanted to have more time to consider the proposal, and also to allow law enforcement to inspect improvements at the fairgrounds.
“It gives our police department, narcotics and sheriff’s department time to go out and review the cameras and equipment they’re putting out to make sure it’s sufficient,” Taylor said. “We have had several shooting and murders out there, and it’s time to put an end to it.”
After the meeting, Jackson said he will continue to work with local law enforcement on the proposed improvements.
Task force approved
In other business Tuesday, Mayor Robert Smith announced that a joint city-county drug task force received final approval from Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood’s office.
Both the city council and county board of supervisors approved an inter-local agreement last week to create the task force. The task force will be an eight-man unit, with four Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office deputies and four Columbus Police Department officers.
LCSO Capt. Archie Williams will be the task force commander, and the force will fall under Sheriff Mike Arledge’s supervision.
“This is a new day in public safety for Columbus and Lowndes County and we look forward to this force working together,” Smith said.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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