LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) – Victor Camona was hoping to make some memories for his family as they picked up the RV and drove from their home in Michigan to Georgia. He did not know that the wildest memory would take place during the last ride of their house.
“I just feel bad for people who enjoy New Year’s Eve and have a good time in the pubs,” Carmona said.
Carmona’s vehicle was the subject of a terrifying downtown vacation. He parked in an outdoor area on the corner of West Short and Market Streets, while the family would spend New Year’s Eve in a nearby hotel. But just six days after a bomb exploded in a similar vehicle in downtown Nashville, Lexington police were concerned about a possible copy-cat incident. Therefore, they evacuate pubs and restaurants in the vicinity of the former Cheapside Park for more than two hours to investigate.
“The next thing I know, we’re being evacuated from the hotel, and then the police come to talk to my wife,” Carmona said.
Steve Scaldaferri’s Elixir establishment was right in the potential firing line as he is across the street.
“Because Nashville just happened, it was fresh in everyone’s minds,” he said. “It’s an unfortunate circumstance, but (the police) did it and they did things the right way.”
Now Scaldaferri is trying to do things the right way. He helped out every tab that ran during the evacuation and invited everyone to give it another try tonight.
‘We’re going to bring in our DJ. We’re going to leave all the balloons behind and leave out the decorations. We are going to recreate as much as possible, ‘he said about the plan for Friday night.
Create everything, with the exception, of another bomb scare.
“They were very cordial last night, but aggressive as they should have been,” Scaldaferri said of Lexington’s police officers. He also thanked them for their work. Carmona too.
“I’m glad the police are doing their job. After what happened in Nashville, I fully understand it, so I’m glad the police did what they had to do. It makes me happy that they are actually taking care of their citizens, ‘Carmona added before putting the RV in gear and heading back to Michigan.