Hosting big events comes with big pressure for Manchester to deliver

Jul. 21—If it can happen there, it can happen here.

The very thought is chilling in the wake of the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in a rural swing-state community.

From big events like a presidential election rally to fireworks on the Fourth of July, even relatively small cities like Manchester face challenges once unthinkable — and the stress isn't just on law enforcement.

Ensuring security takes a lot of coordination and effort. Police Chief Allen Aldenberg said he and other departments are proud to meet the moment.

"Anytime that Manchester is the host location for a president or a candidate for president, it is a significant operation," Aldenberg said. "MPD has a very strong working relationship with the U.S. Secret Service."

When he was a captain, Aldenberg was the lead planner for the department's security detail during several presidential events, which can be many in this first-in-the-nation primary state. He lauded his department's ability and experience communicating with federal agencies.

No resource untapped; no situation unanticipated.

If this year's nominees decide to hold events in Manchester, "I can assure that we will be fully prepared to ensure the safety and security of both (candidates) as well as those attending," he said.

Public safety in 2024 requires high-tech and old-school security measures. First responders on site, threat detection on social media, SWAT sharpshooters on rooftops, dump trucks on streets, and ubiquitous surveillance cameras are part of it, but there's more.

Coordination and communication can require the work of up to 10 city departments at a time.

But it doesn't take an event of national importance for Manchester's vast team to respond, Aldenberg said.

Manchester hosts nearly 10 major events a year and about 50 events overall. Every event is important, he said.

Fireworks in the sky, safety on the ground

There's a saying in show business: If you're paying attention to the crew, the show is a flop. Although public employees play integral supporting roles, they aren't the lead actors.

Ultimately, the entire community is the star.

That's just as true for a political rally as it is for the Fourth of July fireworks in Arms Park. Or the Manchester Pride Parade and Festival a block from five high school graduations on the same day.

During such events, families stroll past explosive-sniffing dogs, military-looking vehicles or plain-clothes officers and fire-prevention and emergency medical personnel in all-terrain vehicles.

During the Fourth of July celebration on July 3, nearly 5,000 watched from Arms Park along the Merrimack River.

Aldenberg said it was crucial for his officers to be out in force yet in the background, so residents could not merely celebrate their freedom, but exercise it easily.

"We've had no major issues down here in the last five years," he said. "It used to be wild down here when I was a patrolman. Going back about 15 years, there was a stabbing under the (Notre Dame) bridge."

Behind the scenes: Planning and overtime

For the fireworks, Manchester deployed a handful of plain-clothes officers along with 30 uniformed officers in the area or stationed at the command center close to the park. Ahead of the event, officials closed down streets hours in advance, brought in K-9 units to sniff the trucks, vans and trailers used by vendors, and towed several cars.

Police closed off the Notre Dame Bridge at 8 a.m. so Pyrotecnico could set up its shells for the 30-minute, $25,000 fireworks show at 9 p.m. Firefighters had to inspect the remote system to launch the fireworks and stay ready on the bridge throughout the day and during the performance.

Fire prevention plays a big role on the Fourth of July. Chief Ryan Cashin sent an engine to Arms Park at 7 p.m. for the show and had a utility vehicle, EMS and safety personnel at the park. The fire department also set up its mobile command unit out of the way in a nearby parking lot to share with police as the base of operations.

"There's a lot of planning that goes into this, from emergency operations, work assignments, highway, police," Cashin said.

The cost to his department is roughly $10,000 for a four- to five-hour event.

"There's no one to bill for this. It comes out of our budget," he said.

Aldenberg shares responsibility with fire and other departments. He sees the cultural and community benefits to these events, even if it means way more work and figuring out overtime.

He also sees events as an opportunity to get customers downtown, where they can support local businesses. In fact, keeping as many streets open as possible is one of his top goals.

"Our goal with this is to leave Commercial Street open," Aldenberg said about the Fourth of July event, which ran parallel to Commercial Street.

For every season, plan, plan, plan

With so many events, officials have developed muscle memory for their planning and execution. Chaos has been replaced by relative routine, Aldenberg said.

Planning started about a month before the July Fourth fireworks, and representatives from each department met seven to 10 days before the event to finalize their plans.

One of those planners was Recreation and Enterprise Manager Brendan Lynch, who was in charge of his department for the first time after 10 years working for the city.

"This is such a special event. It's the only event that's completely put on by the city," Lynch said.

While an airplane flew over the Merrimack River, Lynch said that's also a consideration. The normal landing path for Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is right over where the fireworks are shot off. The airspace has to be shut down for about an hour.

"We're always planning for the worst," Lynch said. "What if there's a mass shooting? What if something goes wrong with the fireworks? We don't live in a bubble. The stress of the unknown is the worst part."

Manchester usually gets 5,000 to 8,000 people for fireworks and five vendors, who have to apply for yearly permits. Food vendors must comply with the Health Department and go through inspections.

By comparison, the Pride festival in June had approximately 3,000 people in Veterans Park, 150 vendors and about 1,000 people in the parade.

For the fireworks, Arms Park also had to have 22 trash bins, 16 portable toilets and access to the public water system for vendors (through a fire hydrant). There was also a stage for a couple dozen musicians, lighting and a soundboard for the New Hampshire National Guard's 39th Army Band.

While all residents may see is the band, the fireworks, fried dough, candy apples, glow sticks, flags, colorful hats, hot dogs, lemonade, and good cheer, the city sees potential.

Potential for a great time.

Potential for the next bad thing to happen.

They hope the latter never happens here. But they're ready

dpierce@unionleader.com