This year’s MayFest will have a slightly heightened level of security due to a new entrance into its Walnut Park location and the recent attacks in Boston.

Last year’s MayFest saw a decrease in attendance because of the day’s cold temperature and snow. But even with a 55-degree forecast and sunny skies predicted for this Friday, the Department of Public Safety and Syracuse Police Department will maintain a level of law enforcement relatively similar to last year’s MayFest.

Security at Walnut will increase slightly for MayFest this year because of a new entrance point, which was added to increase accessibility, said John Sardino, DPS associate chief.

There will be six entrances for underage students and three entrances for students older than 21 to prevent any students from underage drinking, according to the MayFest website.

Underage drinking is the most common violation DPS and SPD officers have fined students for during the event, Sardino said. But there haven’t been many serious issues during the last six years since MayFest has been a university-sponsored event.

“We’ve been doing this for a few years now and there hasn’t been a lot of issues related to MayFest in the park,” Sardino said. “There are generally more tickets for noise and open containers along Euclid Avenue.”

DPS’ biggest focus at MayFest is preventing students from leaving any unattended backpacks near Walnut, said DPS Chief Tony Callisto. Although backpacks have never been allowed at MayFest in Walnut, DPS has put a special emphasis on the rule this year in light of the recent bombings at the Boston Marathon.

Backpacks will not be allowed unattended anywhere on campus, Callisto said, so students will be able to enjoy the day’s festivities without worrying about potential attacks.

“Our goal is maintaining a safe environment, that’s what we’re really there for, that’s what we’ve always been there for,” Callisto said.

Along with the prohibition of backpacks, DPS is limiting Walnut’s maximum attendance to 13,000 people, and watching for excessive noise and open containers, Sardino said.

There is a less likelihood of injuries in Walnut compared to Euclid, Callisto said. He urged students to attend MayFest activities in Walnut instead of the parties on Euclid.

Callisto said he anticipates a significant police presence on Euclid during MayFest compared to the amount of police officers who will be present in Walnut.

While Callisto said he believes weather plays a large role in MayFest attendance, he does not expect this Friday’s sunny forecast to create an uncontrollable environment, as DPS has been able to handle sunnier MayFests before.

“Two years ago, it was 70 degrees and it was a huge turnout with about 7,000 people that day,” Callisto said. “This year, with 55 degrees, there probably won’t be as many. It’s going to be sunny. I still think it’s going to be a good turnout.”

Sgt. Tom Connellan of SPD said the weather does not affect the amount of police presence at MayFest, and the amount of police officers this year on Euclid and in Walnut will be the same as last year.

SPD made no arrests and didn’t distribute tickets during last year’s MayFest, said Sardino, who is expecting the same for this year’s events.

“We’ve had a sufficient and appropriate amount of people attending MayFest through the years,” he said. “There’s no higher risk of crime today than there has been during previous MayFests.”

Published on April 25, 2013 at 12:21 am

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