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Webster Groves business district plans July 4 parking, porta-potties and safety steps amid policing limits
Summary
Commission discussed reserving the Crossroads parking lot for fireworks viewing, ordering barricades and portable toilets, and policing limits on July 4. Staff said special activities permits and parade plans determine responsibilities; the commission noted past vandalism and asked for police communication.
Commission members discussed using the Crossroads parking lot for July 4 fireworks viewing and whether the city’s parade and public-safety planning covers the lot.
One commissioner noted the lot will be blocked for safety, “I block it off completely so that no 1 can park back there,” and said the event has drawn up to about 200 people in previous years. Commissioners discussed ordering barricades and porta-potties and asked who places those orders.
A participant said, “Eric handled if a special activities permit was needed. He ordered the porta potties, barricades.” The commission agreed to check whether the parking-lot closure is included in the police parade plan or whether a separate special activity permit is required.
Commissioners raised safety concerns from past years, including vandalism and drinking on the lot. One speaker said policing resources are limited on July 4: “keep in mind that every single police officer works the July 4. ... So we have to operate on a call basis.” The commission encouraged people to call police if incidents occur.
City staff also reported the city had begun citing the railroad property on the north side for grass-height code violations and said they had been in contact with the railroad about the July 4 cleanliness and safety concerns.
No formal permit was issued during the meeting; commissioners agreed to coordinate with city staff and police on barricade and porta-potty logistics and to have Jeff and another commissioner help manage the lot on July 4.
