KEENE, NH- As the 2012 Keene Pumpkin festival approaches Keene Police are making their final preparations for Saturday’s festivities.

While security has always been a top priority for the festival, this year look for a continued police presence with upwards of 70 officers on site throughout the course of the day, made up of not only Keene but also officers from nearby communities.

According to Chief Kenneth Meola, residents can also expect a strong police presence down into the Winchester, Ralston and Davis street areas as well, which Meola says could last into the early morning hours depending on the amount of people.

Meola is also confident that this year’s cleanup will go very well when compared to previous years and as result can shift the appropriate resources to where they’re needed when the time comes.