In Yakima when Elton John steps off a plane Sunday, he'll be greeted by a member of the police force.
At the request of the fair board, the Yakima Police Department will be providing an escort for the legendary musician as he makes his way to the Yakima Valley SunDome for Sunday's 7:30 p.m. concert. An escort will also accompany John after the show.
The concert is sold out and arrangers expect 7,500 people to attend.
Police Chief Sam Granato said Friday that his department was asked Wednesday to come up with a plan to provide the escorts with on duty police personnel.
"There was the issue of whether or not that was legal to do for a private event," he said.
Granato expressed concerns over tying up city resources on an already busy weekend.
Granato said, "Its one thing to have a unit standing by for a minute, but it's another to tie up resources for a long period of time".
How the escorts would be paid for and by whom also needed to be worked out.
After a discussion involving representatives of State Fair Park and the city, both sides were able to come to an agreement.
The city will provide three police officers on overtime pay. The Fair Board will foot the bill, which Granato estimates will be around $500.
He said, "It had to be done in a way that the city would be reimbursed and the only way was through overtime".
One officer will escort John from the airport to the SunDome. The other two will escort him back to the airport after the show. Each will work the minimum three hours required for overtime.
City Manager Dick Zais said providing escort security for visiting major dignitaries is common practice. The city has helped to escort Rosa Parks, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Mexican President Vicente Fox.
"We are tremendously fortunate to have Sir Elton come here," Zais said. "We all want this to be safe for him and the crowds that are there."
In addition to helping the musician navigate through traffic, the officers will also assist the Rocket Man with any overzealous fans, should the issue arise.
Also taking place at the fairgrounds this weekend is CityFest, which expects to draw a crowd of 10,000. That event is not expected to require additional police staffing.
At the request of the fair board, the Yakima Police Department will be providing an escort for the legendary musician as he makes his way to the Yakima Valley SunDome for Sunday's 7:30 p.m. concert. An escort will also accompany John after the show.
The concert is sold out and arrangers expect 7,500 people to attend.
Police Chief Sam Granato said Friday that his department was asked Wednesday to come up with a plan to provide the escorts with on duty police personnel.
"There was the issue of whether or not that was legal to do for a private event," he said.
Granato expressed concerns over tying up city resources on an already busy weekend.
Granato said, "Its one thing to have a unit standing by for a minute, but it's another to tie up resources for a long period of time".
How the escorts would be paid for and by whom also needed to be worked out.
After a discussion involving representatives of State Fair Park and the city, both sides were able to come to an agreement.
The city will provide three police officers on overtime pay. The Fair Board will foot the bill, which Granato estimates will be around $500.
He said, "It had to be done in a way that the city would be reimbursed and the only way was through overtime".
One officer will escort John from the airport to the SunDome. The other two will escort him back to the airport after the show. Each will work the minimum three hours required for overtime.
City Manager Dick Zais said providing escort security for visiting major dignitaries is common practice. The city has helped to escort Rosa Parks, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Mexican President Vicente Fox.
"We are tremendously fortunate to have Sir Elton come here," Zais said. "We all want this to be safe for him and the crowds that are there."
In addition to helping the musician navigate through traffic, the officers will also assist the Rocket Man with any overzealous fans, should the issue arise.
Also taking place at the fairgrounds this weekend is CityFest, which expects to draw a crowd of 10,000. That event is not expected to require additional police staffing.
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