Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Events topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City staff recommends portable barricades and other safety measures for Neosho events; Celebrate Our Show planned for June 28
Summary
Staff briefed council on portable roadway barriers, permanent bollards and other event‑safety measures in response to vehicle‑ramming incidents; council also heard a Celebrate Our Show event update and discussed a portable stage suggestion.
City staff presented options to improve public‑event safety on the square, recommending portable barricade trailers and consideration of permanent bollards where events are concentrated.
Staff noted a rise in vehicle‑based attacks at public events nationally and locally and demonstrated lightweight, modular portable barricades designed to be deployed and repositioned by small crews. The presentation said the units can be stored in trailers (72‑unit, 60‑unit and 40‑unit sizes), are portable and can be used to block access routes during parades or large gatherings. Staff recommended beginning with two 72‑unit trailers to cover primary approaches during large events; Joplin was cited as a nearby example that has purchased units for testing.
Council asked about setup time, durability and replacement needs after a high‑impact event. Staff said some units might need replacement after a severe impact but that the trailers and barricades could be repositioned quickly when staged.
Separately, staff previewed Celebrate Our Show 2025, scheduled for Saturday, June 28 beginning at 4 p.m. on the square, with a car show, kids' activities, a 'cutest dog' contest and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. The event coordinator said sponsorships raised for this event totalled just under $15,000.
One councilmember suggested the city purchase a portable stage to improve safety and accessibility for event speakers and performers; staff said they would take the suggestion under advisement and bring more detail in a future meeting.
What comes next: staff will return with a more detailed procurement and deployment plan for barricades and bollards and will continue planning for Celebrate Our Show.
