CMPD Prepares For Thanksgiving Eve Parade After Wisconsin Attack

Charlotte NC

24 November, 2021

12:06 PM

Description

CHARLOTTE, NC — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police will be out in full force Wednesday night at the Thanksgiving Eve parade in downtown Charlotte. Concerns over safety at the parade came on the heels of a deadly attack in Waukesha. According to Waukesha police, Darrell Brooks rammed his car into a group of people at a parade there, fatally injuring six people including a child. CMPD is ramping up security and promising to protect parade-goers from any vehicles that shouldn't be on the parade route. "The tragedy in Wisconsin is a reminder for us all that events can take a deadly turn," CMPD Lt. Dondi Pogue said Wednesday. Lt. Pogue says special care will be taken to make sure vehicles cannot access the parade route "intentionally, or unintentionally." There will be bomb dogs, barriers and several other methods to ensure that. Police have planned to patrol the entire route with a heightened presence. MORE: 9 Things To Know About Charlotte's Thanksgiving Parade "We will have more than an appropriate amount of officers out there," said Lt. Pogue. "You shouldn't be able to take a few steps without seeing a CMPD officer out there tonight." Lt. Pogue asks parade-goers to report anything suspicious to officers including strange vehicles, bags or packages along the parade route. Due to the increased scrutiny of vehicles, he also said it's important to park only in legal spaces. Ultimately, Lt. Pogue says CMPD is prepared for a multitude of possible scenarios, while hoping no violence distracts from the festivities. "We plan for the worst, but we hope for the best," said Lt. Pogue. The parade begins at 6 p.m., for details on where to park or line up, click here. Live in Charlotte? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone.