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Highlands Today

Law Enforcement Prepares For Race Week

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By BRAD DICKERSON

Highlands Today

Published: March 14, 2009

SEBRING - Highlands County's population will grow by the more than a hundred thousand for the 57th annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring race, and that means area law enforcement will be devoting their efforts to keeping fans safe.

"Most of the arrests, we make a lot of arrests for underage drinking and we make a lot of arrests for marijuana possession," said Highlands County Sheriff's Maj. Mark Schrader, who, along with Capt. Booker Johnson, is in charge of security.

Those who aren't arrested for bad behavior will often just be trespass warranted off the premises, Schrader said.

Over the four-day period, there will be about 300 law enforcement personnel working to keep the raceway safe, according to Johnson.

The combined efforts of the sheriff's office, the Sebring and Avon Park police departments, Homeland Security, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Polk and Hendry County sheriff's offices will go into patrolling Sebring International Raceway. The agencies meet between six and 10 times to go over all matters involving race security.
Schrader said some of law enforcement's other focus points during the race will be looking for firearms, those riding motorcycles, which is prohibited, and firewood.

A continuing problem, according to Schrader, is attendees starting fires on Saturday night after the race ends. The blazes are not for roasting marshmallows or hot dogs, but are generally started out of mischief.

"We've started responding to them quickly," Schrader said.

Authorities will also focus on people riding on the back of pickup trucks, which led to past injuries and death when individuals, often intoxicated, would fall out of the vehicles. Now, folks must be seated when riding in the backs of trucks, according to Schrader.

He added that there were no deaths at the 2008 race and all vehicles coming onto the property are subject to search.

An increase in patrols at the races the last few years has helped in moving it away, somewhat, from its "Mardi Gras of Sebring" past to the more family-friendly atmosphere attendees say it is today.

"Over the last three or four years, it has calmed down," Johnson said.

Highlands Today reporter Brad Dickerson can be reached at 863-386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com.

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