Police Chief is pleased, so far

PARK CITY — Police Chief Wade Carpenter's film festival experience has alternated between glitzy premieres and standing out in the freezing cold directing traffic and crowds.

This is his first Sundance since being hired as Park City's new police chief and he's already gotten a taste of both worlds. On Saturday night, Carpenter was asked to provide a security escort for Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher at the Eccles Theatre.

"They were real nice," he said of the celebrities.

A few minutes later, he was out with his officers on Main Street checking bars and clubs and helping to keep the crowds in control.

"We've been planning this for months," he said in an interview with the Deseret News. "The nice thing about Park City is they host some 276 special events per year. This is the big one, of course."

This is the biggest event he's presided over. Carpenter started as a police officer in the southern Utah ski resort town of Brian Head before moving to Layton, returning to be Brian Head's town marshal and then director of public safety for Ivins.

So far, Carpenter said the problems have been relatively minor. He was particularly thrilled with how their parking ban on Main Street has worked out this year.

"It gives the taxis easier access. It gives the limousines easier access and most important it gives the emergency vehicles easier access so we can get them in and out," he said. "And if you have to evacuate because you have a place to put 'em."

E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com