CHEYENNE, Wyo. — As Cheyenne Frontier Days reaches its halfway point, the Cheyenne Police Department has several safety measures and operations in place. The event, which started July 19 and runs for 10 days, continues to see a robust police presence and collaboration with various agencies.
“Safety remains our top priority,” Alexandra Farkas, CPD public information officer, reaffirmed. Months of detailed planning with agencies such as Cheyenne Fire Rescue, American Medical Response and Cheyenne/Laramie County Emergency Management Agency have ensured comprehensive coverage. Daily threat analyses and Incident Action Plans guide the tactics and resources employed to manage the large crowds effectively.
So far, the CPD has addressed common issues like impaired driving and vehicle burglary proactively. “We encourage everyone to plan for safe rides home and secure their vehicles,” Farkas stated. This approach has hopefully helped mitigate many potential problems.
The DUI task force, led by the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office and supported by the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Albany County Sheriff’s Office, and Laramie Police Department, has been maintaining road safety. This task force is funded through a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Financially, the burden of added public safety measures is shared between Cheyenne Frontier Days and the City of Cheyenne, as outlined in their Memorandum of Understanding passed in April 2020. This year, Cheyenne Frontier Days contributed $80,400 to help offset the costs associated with the increased police presence and additional safety measures. The City of Cheyenne also contributes to these costs, covering the remainder of the expenses related to public safety during the event.
Despite focusing resources on Frontier Park, the CPD assures that citywide safety remains a priority. Officers dedicated to Cheyenne Frontier Days manage criminal activities within the park, while the rest of the force handles citywide calls. Cheyenne Frontier Days has also hired a private security group for non-criminal activities and security screenings, further enhancing the event’s safety.
“Officer staffing is dictated by CFD’s predicted attendance; ticket sales are used as an indicator of what we can expect. We assign additional personnel for events/shows with higher attendance that may require an increased police presence,” Farkas noted.
In addition to the activities at Frontier Park, the City of Cheyenne is solely responsible for security and public safety functions related to the pancake breakfasts and parades held by the city during the event.
The MOU also outlines the duration and renewal of the agreement and liability responsibilities while retaining the city’s governmental immunity except for contract actions. Additionally, the agreement includes a force majeure clause, protecting both parties from liabilities due to unforeseen events. The memorandum can be found below.
As the event progresses, the CPD plans to release detailed crime data following Frontier Week to evaluate the effectiveness of its strategies. The collaboration between the CPD, Cheyenne Frontier Days and other law enforcement agencies aims to create a safe and enjoyable environment for attendees.
