Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Police ready for Devon Horse Show
As the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair kicks into gear this week, police on the Main Line are ready. Easttown Police Chief David Obzud said his department and adjoining Tredyffrin police are working together to keep residents and visitors safe.
With South Valley Forge Road being the township border, the show grounds are in Easttown, while some of the stables are in Tredyffrin.
Obzud said the two departments work together by mutual agreement assigning a significant number of officers to cover activities at the show.
The officers detailed to the event are paid for by the Devon Horse Show. Other officers are on routine patrol available for emergencies throughout the township, Obzud said.
Most on-street residential parking near the Horse Show grounds is restricted during the entirety of the
event. On popular evenings, residents along South Valley Forge Road may charge $25 a car to park in their yards, comparable to the lots at an Eagles or Phillies game.
Housing developments are replacing many formerly open areas parking near the
horse show grounds. In recent years, a development has replaced a popular field lot at Waterloo and Berkley roads, as well as new condos going in at a lot on South Valley Forge at Chester Road.
Horse trailers from the show are kept off-site at a
lot adjoining the Pennsylvania turnpike.
“Parking is getting squeezed out,” Obzud said. “We encourage visitors to get there early; if the main lots are filled, use private lots but don’t expect you can just show up at the time and
not have to park a distance away.”
With the specter of terrorism at large events, Obzud said his department reviews security developments every year to stay abreast of changing safety demands. Police have access to bombsniffing
dogs through both Radnor police and the Chester County Sheriff’s office. He encouraged the public to stay aware of their surroundings.
“If you see something unusual, bring it to the attention of authorities,” Obzud said.