Event Season in Scottsdale: Behind the Scenes of Safety and Fun

Event season in Scottsdale is more than sunshine, big crowds, and headline events — it’s months (and sometimes years) of planning to keep everyone safe while they’re having fun. In this episode of Shop Talk from the Scottsdale Police Department, Chief Joe LeDuc and Sergeant Allison Sempsis sit down with Commander Matt Evans and Lieutenant Chris DiPiazza, two of the key leaders at the tip of the spear for Scottsdale’s biggest events. From Barrett-Jackson and the Waste Management Phoenix Open to marathons, festivals, and spring training, the team breaks down how they juggle massive crowds, traffic, and competing events across the city. They talk about long-range planning, after-action reviews, and how strong partnerships with other city departments, neighboring agencies, volunteers, and federal partners all come together to support one mission: ensuring a safe Scottsdale.