Cave Creek council moves to fund extra MCSO coverage after disruptive special events

Council members said recent unsanctioned social‑media events and a high‑profile ‘donut’ incident exposed gaps in the town’s event safety planning and prompted calls for short‑term increased enforcement.

At the workshop, staff outlined two prior estimates: a three‑month supplemental at about $60,000 and a six‑month MCSO cost estimate of roughly $124,000. Several council members said the six‑month figure better covered the high season and asked staff to include it in the tentative budget and to report back at the retreat and during next year’s budget workshop on observed outcomes.

Council discussion centered on when extra patrols should be deployed (targeting Friday–Saturday high‑season nights), the need for strategic traffic management and the possibility of temporary or permanent traffic controls to limit reckless driving during special events. Members urged staff to return with operational metrics and anecdotal reporting so the council could assess whether the supplemental produced measurable improvements.

Council members also discussed asking bars and event organizers to increase on‑site security and whether private security could legally cover adjacent public space; staff cautioned about potential liability and recommended the town define expectations and permit conditions for events that affect public right‑of‑way.

What’s next: Staff was directed to include the six‑month MCSO funding in the tentative budget, carry the item as a supplemental funded for FY27, and return with evaluation plans and more precise numbers about enforcement scope and timing.

Representative quote: Sherry: "we'll go ahead and put it in the budget for the $124,000 for for next year."