Want a permit for a special event in Rehoboth? Sign a blank check.
The Rehoboth police department prepared the application form, for the newly adopted ordinance that regulates all special events in Rehoboth, including marches, walks, racing events and rallies.
Applicants must submit a $600 nonrefundable fee with the application and agree to conform to all terms in the application and any special requirements that may be made as a condition of granting the permit - which could include liability insurance, cleanup deposit, and paying for extra-duty police officers at $80 per hour for a minimum of three hours.
To put the impact of this new permit in perspective, consider remarks made by Rehoboth Beach Special Events Officer Lt. Riddle at an Aug. 2, 2018 meeting where he used the March 24 March for Our Lives event as an example of how “costs can rack up.”
Lt. Riddle cites the 25 police officers, tactical and crowd control units on standby, bombs techs and a K-9, resulting in an overall cost of $8,000 to $10,000 for a small gathering of a small event. Lt. Riddle concludes his presentation by telling the group that the costs of events like this should be the responsibility of the organization, not the city.
So here we are with a special- events ordinance that gives the Rehoboth Beach Police Department exclusive rights in determining the number of officers required based on the size and/or nature [of the event]. We also have an example of an event, provided by Lt. Riddle, of the police determining they needed 25 police officers based on the nature of the event.
The most basic component of freedom of expression is the right of freedom of speech. The right of freedom of speech allows individuals to express themselves without government interference. Or regulation. This ordinance is not allowing that without restrictions.
Bottom line: If you want to exercise your First Amendment right to assemble peacefully in Rehoboth, attach a blank check to the application.
Anne Pikolas
Lewes
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