On water and land, how Montgomery Whitewater plans to keep guests safe

On land and on water, safety and security will be central in Montgomery Whitewater operations.

The sprawling campus will be surrounded by a chain link fence, and a weapons detection system will be used as people enter the park. Weapons such a knives and guns will not be permitted. The park will be open to people who are not using the water channels, so they can visit the restaurant, beer tavern, shops and a future hotel on the site.

Those rafting will be given safety instructions and training before taking to the water, and will be required to wear helmets and personal floatation devices. "River guards" will keep an eye on the areas around the channels to reduce the risk of bystanders falling into the water.

Park employees will wear uniforms and the Montgomery Police Department will provide patrols in the park and MPD will increase its presence in the park during special events.

"Montgomery Whitewater will be a welcoming environment where the focus will be on enjoying time in community and nature," said Dave Hepp, Montgomery Whitewater's CEO. "Our security protocols will be present and vigilant but will not interfere with guests’ ability to relax and enjoy their time in the park.

"Risk will be managed through excellent training, a secure perimeter, limited entry points and a strong relationship with local law enforcement agencies."

A park spokesperson said the overall plan is the result of a collaborative effort involving multiple audits, site inspections and meetings between the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department and the Montgomery Police Department, retired law enforcement professionals including federal marshals, and security professionals at other Whitewater facilities and entertainment venues. Maxwell Air Force Base Security Forces also provided insight.

Craig Heflin serves as public safety director and brings a law enforcement background to the post.

Heflin worked with the Atlanta Police Department from 2009 to 2014 in the Zone 2 patrol division and special operations. He also worked with the Acworth (Georgia) Police Department from 2014 to 2023 in patrol, special operations and as a detective. While with the Acworth Police Department, he helped to build a parks patrol program and a motorcycle patrol program.

The Whitewater campus, including the parking lot, is monitored on closed circuit TV 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The team is seeking security staff — preferably with previous law enforcement training — that will be trained in first aid, CPR, and conflict resolution.

Responsibilities will include responding to calls and, when necessary, notifying local authorities by calling 911 and providing first aid when needed, monitoring closed circuit TV feeds and enforcing facility rules and policies.

As attendance, events and offerings at the park grow, so will staffing. Under Phase One, the opening of the park, about 400 vehicles per hour are expected during peak times. As the park grows to its full size, that number is expected to more than double to about 1,000 vehicles per hour during peak times.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at [email protected].