SUMMARY:
The following memo is a summary of the involvement and associated costs of the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) and San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) undertake during the Fiesta celebration.
BACKGROUND:
The SAPD and SAFD partner with a wide variety of groups and agencies to contribute to a safe and incident free Fiesta celebration each year. Some of these agencies Federal, State, and Local partners include the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Texas Departments of Public Safety and Transportation, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, the Bexar County Adult and Juvenile Probation Offices, VIA, UTSA Police Departments, and a wide variety of City Departments including Park Police, Public Works, Metro Health and others.
In terms of security, the SAPD continues to be the lead law enforcement agency designated to secure the following venues and activities: the Carnival, Fiesta De Los Reyes (Market Square), A Night In Old San Antonio (NIOSA), the River Parade, the Battle of Flowers Parade, the Flambeau Parade, Battle of the Bands and multiple activities in Alamo Plaza.
SAPD additionally provides traffic control services in association with the Fiesta Fiesta (opening ceremony), Oyster Bake, Taste of New Orleans, Earth Day Run and the Mission Run. Lastly, SAPD also provided peripheral support (security and/or traffic control) outside the Tejano Explosion and Siesta Fest venues.
In addition to event security, SAPD makes a strong effort to prevent alcohol related fatalities during the Fiesta celebration. In collaboration with local agencies, such as the Bexar County Sherrif's Office, DWI enforcement becomes priority during Fiesta. The following list outlines a number of DWI enforcement and prevention initiatives SAPD and its partners are undertaking:
* Team DWI provided refresher training for bar owners and employees about how to avoid over-serving
* A...
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