The 53rd annual St. Joan of Arc Carnival wrapped on Aug. 23 after a week-long stint. At right, Evesham Fire-Rescue Chief Carl Bittenbender and Mayor Jaclyn Veasy were in attendance.
This year’s St. Joan of Arc Carnival ended its week-long stint on Aug. 23 at the church grounds on Willow Bend Road in Marlton, where planners added several key safety features.
The 53rd annual fundraiser was open from 6 to 10:30 p.m. and featured live entertainment along with the usual amusement rides, food vendors, games and other activities.
But this year marked the first time there were increases in security measures after dangerous carnival incidents in other area towns in the last several years. Monsignor Richard LaVerghetta, the church’s St. Joan of Arc Carnival Committee and township police decided to fence in the carnival area at three points of entry: on the left side of the parking lot of the church off Willow Bend Road; in the rear parking lot of the school off Evans Road; and on the pedestrian walkway off Wheatland Court.
Face coverings and backpacks were strictly prohibited and bags for medical or infant/small child use were subject to inspection. Officers were also on hand at the points of entry and throughout the interior and exterior of the carnival area.
Township police for the first time incorporated a recent public safety tool, an Eye in the Sky SecureLot camera trailer that can offer a bird’s-eye view of large areas. The mobile unit utilizes a 20-foot telescopic mast, a height-adjustable support structure that extends and retraces like a telescope.
The new technology enhances situational awareness and support of ground operations. Recordings can be accessed locally or livestreamed remotely through an app and the unit is equipped with floodlights, loudspeakers and a fuel-cell generator.
“We’ve learned from other incidents in other towns around us and the preventive actions that have been taken for carnivals that have already happened this year … that this is the right approach to take,” Police Chief Thomas Reinholt explained at an August council meeting.
“We thank Father Rich (LaVerghetta) and the carnival committee for recognizing this as well,” he added. “Obviously the goal is to provide a very safe, fun, eventful evening for everyone who decides to come there.”
