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Local pastors, residents urge council to move large Lakeview Park event amid safety and parking concerns
Summary
At public forum, several pastors and residents asked the council to relocate a large June 8 park event, citing expected crowd size (organizers say "more than 4,000"), parking overflow, indecency enforcement, costs to police and potential safety issues.
Multiple speakers at the May 4 public forum asked Nampa city leaders to move a planned large event in Lakeview Park, telling council members the park and surrounding streets are too small to safely host an expected crowd and that the city should consider moving the event to a larger, more controlled venue.
Pastor Dan Manchuk of Good News Community Church, whose church and residence are adjacent to Lakeview Park, said organizers told him they expect "more than 4,000 people" and that the event's scale could strain police resources, complicate indecency enforcement, and disrupt regular Sunday church services and pool operations. He said his church meets at 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. and hosts other services that day and voiced concern about families encountering those walking to the event.
Pastor Marty Yost of Mountain Heights Calvary Chapel said that, based on prior events in the Treasure Valley, "agitators" commonly attend large gatherings and recommended moving the event to a secure venue such as the Idaho Center so organizers could provide their own security and reduce taxpayer costs. Resident Randy Jackson noted the pool would be opening that weekend and asked the council to require stronger safety and security planning from organizers.
Council members and staff confirmed organizers must provide their own security and must fund two Nampa police officers and one supervisor, though speakers said that requirement might not cover total enforcement costs. Councilwoman Jangula clarified that the organizers are required to fund two officers and one supervisor for city needs. Speakers repeatedly urged the city to either require more robust security or move the event to a larger, controlled venue to avoid parking stretching blocks into residential areas.
Outcome and next steps: Council heard public testimony; no ordinance or motion was taken. Staff and council said they will monitor the event permit and enforcement arrangements and ensure minimum security staffing is provided; some council members asked staff to verify whether additional policing or venue relocation should be required.
Quotes (from meeting): Pastor Dan Manchuk: "They expect more than 4,000 people again this year." Pastor Marty Yost: "If they're going to come in, come in and pour money into the Idaho Center ... where they can have better security." Councilwoman Jangula (clarifying staffing): "They are also required to provide, funding for 2 police officers and 1 supervisor."
