Naples Pride organizers raise concerns over rising security costs ahead of festival

NAPLES, Fla. — With Naples Pride Fest just over a week away, organizers say rising security costs are putting pressure on this year’s event.

A board member with Naples Pride tells WINK News the estimated cost for security this year is more than $50,000 — about $10,000 higher than last year.

“We’re again facing more than $50,000 in security cost, and that’s a major barrier for a small, grassroots nonprofit like ours,” said board member Callhan Soldavini.

Naples Pride Fest is the organization’s biggest annual event and helps fund its community center, which offers services like free mental health counseling, health screenings, support groups, and youth programming.

“People can access free mental health counseling… support groups, youth events — it’s really essentially a safe place,” Soldavini said.

But organizers say a significant portion of the money raised may go toward covering security costs.

Soldavini believes there’s more driving those costs than just standard safety needs.

“We’re being asked once again to carry costs that don’t really belong to us — costs generated not because of anything Naples Pride’s done, but because of how others might respond,” she said.

The issue is at the center of an ongoing federal lawsuit filed after last year’s event. Naples Pride is challenging the city over security fees and other restrictions.

Court documents show the cost of security for the event has risen sharply over time — from about $1,000 in 2017 to more than $40,000 in recent years.

Naples Pride argues some of those fees are unfair and potentially unlawful.

A federal judge has allowed the lawsuit to move forward, saying the organization may be able to show that part of the security costs are based on the event’s message, not just safety concerns. However, the exact amount in question has not yet been determined.

The City of Naples declined to comment when asked about this year’s costs, citing active litigation.

Meanwhile, Naples Police say security requirements for large public events are based on national safety standards. In a previous statement, the department pointed to a rise in violence at public gatherings and said costs for things like barriers and staffing are the responsibility of event organizers.

Despite the ongoing legal battle and rising costs, Naples Pride says the festival will go on as planned.

Naples Pride Fest is scheduled for April 18 at Cambier Park.