The organizers of the Keene Pumpkin Fest have proposed a new public safety arrangement for next year’s event.
The organizers only want to be responsible for safety and security within the festival’s footprint.
In a Facebook post, Let It Shine, Inc. – the Pumpkin Festival’s non-profit organizer – said in 2015 it would like the city of Keene and Keene State College to take charge of controlling rowdy college students in neighborhoods near the event.
In exchange, the group agreed to not request financial help from the city. Last year Keene contributed $52,000 dollars toward the event, and $35,000 the year before.
In the same post, Let It Shine agreed to pay nearly two-thirds of a $90,000 dollar bill for police overtime. incurred during this year's Pumpkin Fest Riots. It says “others” should pay the rest.
The city council would have the final say on this proposal before it grants Let It Shine a permit to host the 2015 Pumpkin Fest.
