McCall officials back perimeter fencing, paid security and sponsorships for Lakeside Liberty Fest
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Summary
City staff proposed perimeter fencing, a paid security team and renewed targeted marketing to reduce disorder at the Lakeside Liberty Fest; council members signaled general support and asked that any security contract and sponsorship funding be brought back for public review.
Chief Dels Palmer of the McCall Police Department presented a plan to manage the 2026 Lakeside Liberty Fest that centers on perimeter fencing, a professional security team and targeted marketing funded by sponsors.
Palmer told the council the city and its county and state partners adopted several measures after 2016 — including alcohol restrictions and focused marketing — that reduced disorder for several years, but said incidents have increased since 2023, particularly among minors. "This is more of an approach that we know we have this beautiful setting right here in McCall," Palmer said, "and whether we plan accordingly or not, these people are gonna arrive in our town." He described recent fights that blocked roadways and delayed ambulance access as unacceptable and said the proposed measures aim to prevent similar outcomes.
Why it matters: Council members and staff framed the measures as efforts to preserve a family-friendly event while protecting public safety and emergency access. Officials said the city cannot control who comes to town but can control how the event space is managed.
Key elements of the proposal include renewed, audience-targeted marketing to set expectations; hiring a professional safety/security team of roughly 5–15 personnel to provide early intervention and liaison with police; and temporary perimeter fencing at Legacy Park with controlled access points and durable signage to communicate rules for the event. "It's a physical barrier, not just something on a wire stand set up in the middle of a lawn," Kurt Wolf, Parks and Recreation director, said of the fencing proposal.
Palmer said the security team would be visible at access points and patrol the event, but would not conduct searches of bags or people. "No, we're not looking to, check bags or search individuals, any of that whatsoever," Palmer said, adding the team would alert law enforcement when enforcement or trespass action was needed.
Legal and operational follow-up: The city currently uses a parks-closing ordinance but staff described work with legal counsel to draft a clearer trespass ordinance for city properties so police can remove individuals earlier in the day under defined rules. Palmer said Bill in legal is reviewing proposed ordinance text.
Funding: Palmer said the plan is expected to be funded by sponsorships — ideally one primary sponsor plus multiple event sponsors — and that staff are still finalizing exact funding. He asked the council for guidance to pursue sponsors and to contract security quickly because vendors and lodging must be booked in advance.
Vendor vetting and transparency: Palmer told the council he has met with Mav Security Services (Boise) and walked the site with the vendor; he said any contract would be brought back to council for public review and approval. Council members emphasized the importance of transparency and public notice before finalizing a contract.
Fireworks and alternatives: Council members discussed that fireworks are a peak moment but not the only draw to the holiday weekend. Staff noted the 2026 fireworks show is already under contract; alternatives such as drones or laser shows were discussed for future years.
Council response and next steps: Several council members expressed support for the plan as a measured approach that balances access and control, while others cautioned that stricter measures could displace crowds to nearby areas and urged coordination with neighbors. Council members asked staff to return a contract and sponsorship agreement for review at a regular public meeting. The meeting concluded shortly after staff confirmed they would proceed with sponsorship outreach and bring any contracts back to council for transparency and approval.
What remains unresolved: Exact sponsorship commitments, the final security contract, the scope and wording of the proposed trespass ordinance, and any detailed budget lines were not specified at the meeting.
Ending: Staff will pursue sponsor commitments and negotiate a security agreement and return a proposed contract and any ordinance language to the council for review at a future regularly scheduled meeting.
