Police prepare to keep Sterlingfest safe

STERLING HEIGHTS — Well over 100,000 people are expected to attend the Sterlingfest Art and Music Fair around Dodge Park and Utica roads July 27-29. And it’s the Sterling Heights Police Department’s mission to keep everyone safe while good times are had.

Events like carnivals and festivals can draw trouble. In May, the Berkley Days festival was cut short by a day after several fights among teenagers were reported. That same month, Oakland County sheriff’s deputies reportedly were deployed multiple times to quell violence among fighting teenagers during a Rochester Hills Lions Club/Leader Dog Spring Carnival.

According to Sterling Heights police Lt. Mario Bastianelli, the Sterling Heights Police Department uses all of its resources to keep Sterlingfest fun, safe and enjoyable.

“The safety planning for this event starts months in advance,” he explained in an email.

Bastianelli said that once the event begins, the department deploys a large presence of uniformed police officers who work alongside plainclothes officers, officers riding bikes or Segways, and traffic safety officers. Surveillance towers also help the officers keep an eye on anything unusual.

“We also utilize our amazing partnership with our citizen volunteer groups which are Citizens On Patrol, and Community Emergency Response Team,” Bastianelli said. “We know that with our collective efforts with all of the city departments, we will have another year of safe family fun for everyone who visits our event.”

Bastianelli also gave some advice to the public on ways to maximize their personal safety while going to large events like Sterlingfest.

“It’s best to travel in a group, especially families with small children,” he said. “Sticking together will help (prevent) the chances of losing track of your children.

“As well, when it comes to theft — which typically is not a problem with our event — be sure not to leave items unattended at a table or in a vehicle. Theft is a crime of opportunity for thieves. If they see items left unattended or unsecured in a vehicle or left behind on an unattended table, those situations make for an easy target to steal items like a purse.”

Melanie Davis, Sterling Heights’ community relations director, said in a text message that the city anticipates a turnout of at least 150,000 people to this year’s Sterlingfest. She described the steps the police have taken to safeguard the event, such as “a very large presence at this event including a mobile command center on site.”

“They are involved in all aspects of planning including traffic and road closures, layout, and more,” she said. “They do a security briefing with all key staff in the days leading up to the festival.”

Davis described Sterlingfest as a “perennial favorite” for residents.

“Residents even ask us a year in advance when the next festival is scheduled because they plan their vacations around it just so they don’t miss it,” she said. “The beer pavilion has become a local high school reunion gathering spot, and every year we have people who drive in from out of state to see their favorite acts on the AT&T main stage. … People just love this annual festival!”

The Sterling Heights Police Department can be reached calling (586) 446-2800. Learn more about Sterlingfest by visiting sterlingfest.info.