By RYAN CHRISTNER

rchristner@dailynews.net

With special events such as the Wild West Festival come much fun and celebration. But the increased concentration of people participating in such events necessitates a rise in security measures.

Throughout the weekend, the Hays Police Department will allocate additional officers to patrols around the city, Assistant Police Chief Phil Hartsfield said.

In times like this, every available officer, including Hartsfield and Police Chief Jim Braun, are called to help monitor the large groups of people.

"We do what we can to provide extra coverage to keep everyone safe," Hartsfield said.

The primary focus of the increase will be the south end of town, with six bicycle patrols in place to survey the crowds.

Bikes are the ideal mode of transportation, Hartsfield said.

"The bikes give officers the ability to be very mobile," Hartsfield said, adding the two-wheeled vehicles provide officers greater maneuverability within crowds and allow them to reach problems quickly.

For today's festivities, officers will be directing post-fireworks traffic.

Due to several accidents in previous years, Hartsfield said 12th street will be closed to east-bound traffic.