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Police readying for Clooney premiere
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By OWEN McNEILL, Staff Writer
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With the excitement of Universal Studio's Maysville premiere of George Clooney's latest film "Leatherheads," Monday, at the Washington Opera Theatre comes a potential logistical puzzle for the city's police department and city planners.
Although certainly a boost for the small river community in commerce, name recognition and ego, the premiere could represent a challenge those charged with not only protecting the public, but also the well-being of the stars who are expected to attend.
It's fallen on the shoulders of Maysville Assistant Police Chief Maj. Ron Rice to organize and conduct security for the event. He said past experience with similar events makes his department uniquely prepared to handle the premier.
"Although this event has been announced on such short notice, I feel our department is probably more capable of handling it than most similarly sized departments," Rice said. "This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Rosemary Clooney event (concert) which has provided our department with a template to work with. I believe our professionalism compounded by our experience in similarly-sized events will enable us to deal with this event and the crowds that come along with it."
Rice said he has met with representatives from Universal Studios in preparation for the premiere.
"A representative from Universal contacted me with their personal requests concerning security for the premiere. I have heard estimates of potential crowd numbers ranging anywhere from a few hundred to over 2,000 people. They also requested an inside detail of officers for crowd control and security within the theatre."
Rice said his office, in order to obtain a better estimate of people possibly attending the premiere, contacted officials with the Elizabethtown Police Department, which recently worked the movie premiere with a title of the same name.
"The movie 'Elizabethtown' premiered there and they said they had a crowd of a few hundred people. We expect with Mr. Clooney coming to town our crowd will be larger but I don't expect to see 2,000 people either. We also compared notes with them on unforeseen circumstances that arose at their event and what else we might expect here. It was truly a benefit to speak with and network with their representatives."
Rice said current plans call for 12 officers to work the event. Those 12 officers are charged with handling crowd control and traffic for nearby streets.
According to Rice, officers will also be on the inside of the event at Universal's request. Rice said Universal will be scanning the 273 ticket holders with metal detectors on their way in the door to ensure no cameras or cell phones are brought into the event. Rice also said the balcony of the theater will be closed off.
"Our officers on the inside will, for the most part, ensure attendees act respectful while inside the premiere," Rice said.
According to Rice, the police department and public works department will close West Second Street between Sutton and Wall streets at 3 p.m. for the event. Parking will be available along any legal space on the street as well as lots along McDonald Parkway and at the corner of Limestone and Second Street.
"With the celebrities arriving at 7 p.m., most downtown businesses should be closed so we don't foresee a major traffic or parking problem," he said.
Clooney and costar Renee Zellweger will be shadowed by Detectives Mike Palmer and Ken Fuller for added security.
Fuller, who worked in security for the Navy before his career began with the Maysville Police Department, said he and Palmer look at the detail as nothing more than a job.
"In the Navy, I pulled this VIP detail with presidents and a Columbian drug lord," Fuller said. "It really doesn't make a difference and when you are working you don't get starstruck. We've got a job to do and we're going to do that job with professionalism and courtesy. With us being in plain clothes, it enables us to blend in more efficiently and allows us to see things a uniformed officer might not because we retain our anonymity. Don't get me wrong, it's always interesting, but we have a job to do."
"I'm actually looking forward to it," Palmer said. "It certainly provides something new and interesting to do. Detective Fuller and I will be focusing on the crowd, watching for any aggressive movements and anything out of the ordinary. I suspect it will be no different than working the Rosemary Clooney Festival and we've had plenty of experience with that. The chief and assistant chief will be briefed and they will, in turn, brief us and the other officers. We will work hand in hand with the uniformed personnel to ensure this event is safe and well received by the public and by the stars. The studio briefs all security personnel on the star's wishes, how they want to interact with the public. It actually comes down to their preferences as to how close they want to be and how much interaction they want with the public. In the end, it's a job and we certainly take it seriously, not only to protect the stars, but the public as well."
Maysville Mayor David Cartmell suspects the upgraded premiere will go off without a snag.
"Our police department and public works crews have become old hands at these events," Cartmell said. "They've gained experience through the numerous Rosemary Clooney weekends and other big time events this city has been lucky enough to attract. We really suspect this will be a nice event for all. An event like this really helps the image of a town like Maysville, not only statewide, but on a national level. We've been absolutely crushed with phone calls concerning the premiere and I hope everyone will come and be a part of the excitement."
"It's really going to be a big week for Maysville," Cartmell said. "We have this premiere, the state tournament, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Margaret Spelling and the river cresting Saturday at flood stage. I suspect there will be some tired individuals after this week is over. All these events are dependent on an efficiently run public works department and Jim Fryman does a great job. He has to deal with not only traffic and crowd control, but the flood gates this weekend."
"Logistically, we will be doing some things to make the experience more pleasurable for the public," said Cartmell. "We will be shutting down traffic on Second Street that day and the city will install bleachers on the north side of the street to provide the best view possible for the public. In years past, when he has come to events like this, George has gotten out among the public to shake hands and sign autographs and we are certainly hoping he does that Monday. We will also be providing shuttle service from down around the bridge and that parking lot back up to the site of the premiere. We are hoping that will help with parking somewhat. With Maysville's practice at handling events such as these, we suspect it will go off without a hitch and will be a great time for all in attendance."
Contact Owen McNeill at owen.mcneill@lee.net or call 606-564-9091, ext. 272. |
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Reader Comments
Comments are limited to 200 words or less.
rhonda wrote on Mar 22, 2008 8:54 PM: " put dodge in the movie "
downtowner wrote on Mar 21, 2008 6:42 PM: " If they had waited until October the cast would have been able to stay at the White Manor Hotel after WILDWOOD remodeled it. "
BB wrote on Mar 20, 2008 7:50 PM: " I think this will be good for Maysville we need to let the world know we have a good town with people as down home hard working an fun loveing so let the show begin lol. "
Debbie--Ohio wrote on Mar 20, 2008 2:13 PM: " YES, how very EXCITING for Maysville! I also have my fingers crossed the weather cooperates! Wish I could be there! "
nicole wrote on Mar 20, 2008 9:43 AM: " This is so exciting to hear & will be a great event to happen for the City of Maysville. I will be looking foward to seeing how well everything goes! "
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