As Police Chief David Slavens put it - it is a Kansas City Chiefs-sized event for a small police department to handle.
But when the cars start lining up and the calls start coming in, Slavens said they’ll be as ready as they can be for this year’s Lake of the Ozarks Shootout.
The department has hired nine extra non-commissioned civilians with past police or military experience to assist officers over the weekend.
A new patrol vehicle will be put into service just in time and a donated ATV manned by an officer will be guarding Captain Ron’s Bar and Grill.
No Parking Signs have been posted up and down Route 5.
Slavens said a tow truck will be ready in case anybody decides to illegally park, especially on the narrow shoulders along Route 5.
“If one car parks illegally, everybody will do it,” Slavens said. “Parking will be strictly enforced because of the safety hazards it creates.”
Slavens said he was worried about people stepping out from their illegally-parked vehicle and being struck by another vehicle on Route 5.
“You leave your car and you get excited and you don’t pay attention to where you’re going or what you’re doing,” he said. “Accidents happen that way. Route 5 is already dangerous enough as it is, if you add parked cars on either side, it only makes the situation more difficult.”
It’s also the hills, high speeds and inexperienced drivers that has Slavens concerned.
He said he’s been busy preparing the department and extra staff to ease bottlenecks around Lake Roads 5-50 and 5-52 to reduce accidents and congestion all around the west side.
Still, with everything going on, Slavens hopes to have an officer patrolling Sunrise Beach and answering calls within village limits.
“We have an obligation to the rest of the (village), to the people who live there,” Slavens said. “We’re going to provide as much service as we can to them.”
Contact this reporter at deannaw@lakesunleader.com