Mardi Gras No Party for Covington Police Chief Russo
Covington Police Chief Russo is embroiled in a bitter battle over one of the biggest events in Covington Mainstrasse- the 2007 Mardi Gras. Russo’s own Covington police force has decided to boycott the Covington Mardi Gras.
The protest, which means Covington police won’t work overtime at the Mainstrasse festival, arose from the still at-large Covington police contract dispute. The new contracts for Covington police have been on hold for more than a year. Kenton County union police and Covington firefighters have also refused to work Covington Mardi Gras.
In addition, 2007 Covington Mardi Gras attendees will enjoy a more widespread venue, as the festival has spread out to neighboring streets. This year the Covington Mainstrasse association will also allow open container drinking. A heck of a time to be without a police force, right? And many of us remember the 2000 Covington Mardi Gras, when 60,000 people showed up and the city, and Covington Police, was not prepared.
Before you rejoice at the prospect of a bacchanalian romp the size of which the city has never seen, understand that Police Chief Russo has dictated that Covington police will work the Mardi Gras festival- as part of their regular shift.
Meanwhile, putting the screws on the new Covington Police Chief so quickly after his arrival is causing some dissension. The Covington Mainstrasse association has gone on record to say “thanks a lot,” and Covington residents are worried about the state of the (Kenton County police) union, too.
Covington Mardi Gras will be held on Friday and Saturday February 16th and 17th beginning at 7 p.m.
The protest, which means Covington police won’t work overtime at the Mainstrasse festival, arose from the still at-large Covington police contract dispute. The new contracts for Covington police have been on hold for more than a year. Kenton County union police and Covington firefighters have also refused to work Covington Mardi Gras.
In addition, 2007 Covington Mardi Gras attendees will enjoy a more widespread venue, as the festival has spread out to neighboring streets. This year the Covington Mainstrasse association will also allow open container drinking. A heck of a time to be without a police force, right? And many of us remember the 2000 Covington Mardi Gras, when 60,000 people showed up and the city, and Covington Police, was not prepared.
Before you rejoice at the prospect of a bacchanalian romp the size of which the city has never seen, understand that Police Chief Russo has dictated that Covington police will work the Mardi Gras festival- as part of their regular shift.
Meanwhile, putting the screws on the new Covington Police Chief so quickly after his arrival is causing some dissension. The Covington Mainstrasse association has gone on record to say “thanks a lot,” and Covington residents are worried about the state of the (Kenton County police) union, too.
Covington Mardi Gras will be held on Friday and Saturday February 16th and 17th beginning at 7 p.m.
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