Over 50 police officers are in West Palm Beach are expected to picket a festival featuring a variety of top Rock and Hip-Hop acts, including ZZ Top, Weezer, Sean Kingston and Nas and Damian Marley.Fortunately, it is not the music the officers are targeting this time, but the actual city of West Palm Beach itself.
Earlier this month, police officers announced they would protest West Palm Beach’s decision to eliminate officer’s pay raises and reduce benefits.
The SunFest, which takes place from April 28th to May 2nd, is one the biggest events hosted in West Palm Beach.
"The public thinks all we're doing is asking for raises," Lou Penque, a West Palm sergeant and union treasurer, told the Palm Beach Post. "We are more than willing to work with the city and they refuse to work with us.”
Today, West Palm Beach Police Chief Delsa Buch ordered an undetermined amount of police to work the event, despite their objections.
"I don't think the public will appreciate it, and I hope (the police) rethink it," West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel said. "We'll have plenty of security. It's always been a very safe event with very few incidents."
To compensate for the lack of police officers, SunFest organizers have hired a number of private security guards to secure the event.
"I'm a little sad that the union never even called us," SunFest organizer Paul Jamieson said. "I don't understand what put us in the middle of this. It doesn't make sense."
Nas and Damian Marley are scheduled to hit the stage on Sunday (May 2nd) at 3:30 PM.
Other acts performing during the SunFest include Frankie Beverley and Maze, Patti LaBelle, REO Speedwagon, Ben Harper and The Relentless 7 and others.
COURTESY OF ALLHIPHOP.COM
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