Local News

TALLADEGA SUPERSPEEDWAY — As a few pastures around the race track grow into the third- or fourth-largest town in Alabama, hundreds of law enforcement and security officers take on the task of protecting hundreds of thousands of race fans.

The officers patrol on horseback, by helicopter, on all-terrain vehicles and in cars. Yet navigating the makeshift RV city can offer unique challenges for security.

Coordinating security is a daunting task, but one that has improved over the years, said Billie Hodges, nine-year director of security for the track.

Hodges, who took the post at Talladega after 23 years working for the federal prison system, said the track hires 700 to 750 law enforcement and security staff to cover its 1,400-acre property.

"We probably have about 55 to 60 percent of that who are law enforcement officers from sheriff's departments and municipal police," he said.

The officers come from all the surrounding counties and from places as far south as Covington County and as far north as Fort Payne, he said.

Track security negotiates agreements with each department on the officers' pay.

Salaries for the event cost about $250,000, not counting money paid to three or four private security companies that provide additional boots on the ground.

Then there are other expenses, like fuel, food, beverages and vehicle rentals.

For officers, the extra pay gives a needed boost to their incomes, Hodges said.

"One group told me they work the spring race for their vacation money and the fall race for Christmas money," he said.

Calhoun County Sheriff Larry Amerson said many of his deputies and reserve deputies participate every year.

"With law enforcement salaries the way they are, the race becomes really important to our people," Amerson said.

Oxford Police Chief Bill Partridge said off-duty officers from his department also work every race, helping with administrative security in the track's offices.

At the track, the Talladega County Sheriff's Department is responsible for coordinating all the law enforcement aspects, Hodges said.

Talladega County Sheriff Jerry Studdard said the department directs about 240 deputies from Talladega County and other counties. They also work with the Alabama State Troopers, who have a mobile command center and handle traffic on the boulevards and the interstate.

"When you put 250,000 people together, you really just try to keep anything from getting started," Studdard said.

Lock up

If something does get started, the sheriff's department is ready with a booking and holding facility and a clerk's office on the racetrack grounds. County jail employees operate the facility, Studdard said.

A person arrested for a minor crime can post bond and be released. A person arrested for a felony or who has warrants will be detained.

"If the weather is pretty and it is not real hot, we'll have 50 or 60 people in there. Some races, it has been as high 300," Studdard said.

Hodges said usually more people are in the lock-up at the spring race than the fall.

Hodges and Studdard have a similar outlook on the race crowds, however. Both said the number of incidents here has greatly reduced in recent years, but any time so many people get together with alcohol around, there will be a few problems.

Crime at the track is similar to the crime of a small town, Studdard said. Many are property crimes, such as someone breaking into cars or stealing generators.

"Anything that is worth a little value, somebody can get rid of pretty quick," Studdard said.

The folks who commit the crimes often are from surrounding areas and may not be going to the race, he said. Violent crimes, with the exception of fistfights, are pretty rare. There's been no shooting in several years, Studdard said.

"The racetrack has helped make it safer by putting up security fences around the property and increasing the number of security and law enforcement personnel," he said.

On horseback

One of the additions is an increased number of horse-mounted patrols.

Deputies from Calhoun County, Etowah County, DeKalb County and Mobile County have come in recent years to ride through the parking lots and rein in crimes happening there.

Mobile County reserve deputy Bill McClain said the weight and elevation of his 1,200-pound horse, Stormy, allows a view head and shoulders above a patrol car.

"Most people love [the horses]. The race fans will always bring their kids up to say hello. The deputies love them, too," said McClain.

The horses are trained under a variety of conditions to make sure they are comfortable being around crowds, he said.

Training includes operating in smoke and around people and loud noises, McClain said.

Sheriff Amerson said horses give a new dimension to patrolling.

"They are a very handy thing to have. Nobody wants to argue with a horse," he said.

When the mass exodus from the speedway begins, officers in patrol cars often can't get to the scene of a fight or crime very quickly but mounted units can, Hodges said.

Worst-case scenario

For the worst-case scenario — anything more than the isolated incidents of crime — the Alabama National Guard, Federal Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, and a number of federal organizations also have command centers near the track.

Major Cynthia Bachus, spokeswoman for the Alabama National Guard, said the guard's Civil Support Team is set up for the duration of the race. They are the guard's first responders, she said.

"They get on site, set up communications and do whatever they need to help local police, and fire departments," said Bachus.

The guard operates two OH-58 — small observation helicopters during the weekend, Bachus said. The helicopters can help with traffic control if needed, she said.

Helicopters from the State Troopers are also in the sky around the track.

Track employees are posted in the helicopters and have direct radio contact with parking supervisors on the ground on the east and west sides of the track, Hodges said.

"When we need to change the flow of traffic, they call the supervisors and take care of it," he said.

Good time, order

One of the biggest helps to traffic in recent years has been allowing race fans to camp an extra night after the race, Hodges said.

"People weren't taking advantage of it at first. Now a number of people stay over after the race and get a few hours sleep before leaving. It is safer and easier for everyone," he said.

Still, the State Troopers pull in impaired drivers all weekend long, said Trooper Charles Dysart.

This year, the Troopers brought in two BAT Mobiles — mobile processing trucks with breathalyzers.

The retrofitted bread truck offices had already helped to process 27 DUI defendants by Saturday afternoon, said Dysart.

Providing security for the track is a delicate balance between allowing people to have a good time, and keeping order, Hodges said.

"If you're too stringent there are some people who won't come back," he said. "For the habitual offenders that's not a problem, but we want everyone else to come back."

The really wild spot used to be the infield but not anymore, he said.

"The whole sport has become more family oriented. For that reason we have been more stringent," he said.

The north park is still without a doubt the wildest place on the property, however, Hodges said.

"We let them do what they want within limits. We have recently really cracked down on nudity," he said.

As long as race fans aren't damaging property or breaking the track's rules, they're welcomed to do what they want, said Hodges.

Still, the group must provide protection and security for the track and the fans, he said.

"If it wasn't for our fans, we wouldn't be here."