Cause a problem at the Community Center, pay S.P. Police costs
April 08, 2011
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Police Department
Cause a problem at the Community Center and it’s going to cost you, those who rented the facility in recent weeks will learn after a fight broke out at a wedding reception that required a police response to calm things down.
The incident occurred Saturday, March 26 at about 10:57 p.m. when Santa Paula Police responded to the Community Center, located at the corner of West Main Street and Steckel Drive, for a fight in progress.
When officers arrived they detained two intoxicated male subjects for fighting, but several family members became upset and argumentative with officers, who had taken the fighting subjects - both juveniles - outside. In the interim, more officers were called to the scene because two additional altercations were brewing in the parking lot between others who had attended the wedding reception.
In all, five SPPD officers responded to the event and had to stay on scene for about 50 minutes to handle the situation. According to Lt. Troyce Reynolds, no arrests stemmed from the incident.
Police Chief Steve MacKinnon said the SPPD would be recovering the costs of the response to the wedding reception, a celebration booked by a Ventura resident. “Persons who lease the Community Center sign a contract that includes a security deposit of $400.” The security deposit, said MacKinnon, is a cost “usually for damage, but there is a specific clause covering a police response and covering those costs.”
MacKinnon noted there was also private security on the premises as required by the contract, but “We have expressed concern to Ed Mount” (the acting Community Services director) about the lack of oversight by private security personnel, including over-serving at the bar and whether or not juveniles were able to obtain alcoholic drinks. The issues will be addressed, MacKinnon added, for future events staged by those who lease the Community Center.
