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McCall adopts 24-hour park ejection ordinance and lines up private security for Lakeside Liberty Fest
Summary
Council adopted Ordinance 10-37 creating a 24-hour ejection notice for disorderly conduct in city parks, and approved a security contract with Mav Security Services for Lakeside Liberty Fest; the city and police detailed event staffing and safeguards designed to protect public safety while preserving free-speech rights.
McCall — The City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 10-37 on June 18, adding an ejection subchapter to the city code that allows officers to issue a written ejection notice barring individuals from returning to city parks for 24 hours after specified disorderly-conduct violations.
Chief of Police Dallas Palmer described the policy as a tool to manage large congregations and recurring disorderly behavior without immediately resorting to misdemeanor charges. “It just gives us greater ability to help ensure the safety within our park setting,” Palmer said, explaining the ejection notice is a printed warning that, if violated, becomes a misdemeanor.
City Attorney Bill Punkey told the council the ordinance was drafted to align with existing disorderly-conduct definitions and to address First Amendment concerns. “We had a long series of conversations about First Amendment and free speech,” Punkey said; he added that the ordinance is intended for behavior that already meets the disorderly-conduct standard, not for peaceful demonstrations.
Palmer also outlined security plans for Lakeside Liberty Fest (July 3–4). The city has contracted with Mav Security/Event Services to provide up to 15 personnel during the event window (staggered coverage, beginning July 3). The police chief said private security will work with city officers to provide presence, education and compliance for vendors and the public.
Council moved to read Ordinance 10-37 by title and then adopted it; roll-call votes were unanimous among attending members. The council’s adoption followed staff and attorney review and included authorization for the mayor to sign necessary documents.
Next steps: staff will publish enforcement details and training guidance for officers; the city will deploy the contracted security team and continue coordination among parks, police and event organizers ahead of the July weekend.
