‘Fun, safe.’ Lexington police boost Christmas parade security after Waukesha deaths
After an SUV struck Wisconsin Christmas parade participants, killing six and injuring dozens more, Lexington police plan to beef up security at the local holiday parade.
Police originally planned to copy security measures used at last year’s parade, but they will add additional security posts and personnel throughout the course of the Dec. 4 parade, according to Cmdr. Jacqueline Newman. She didn’t have an estimate for how many officers will be present, but she said the number will certainly be more than usual.
“We don’t want Lexington, Kentucky to be the topic of any negative incident that happens,” Newman said. “It really was an easy decision after we saw what had happened up there.”
The traditional barriers that block access to the route, beginning at Midland Avenue and concluding at Mill Street, will be replaced by an officer and a vehicle. More supervisors will be present and roaming the parade to watch for threats.
Newman said no threats have been made. She thinks the parade will be safe and enjoyable for citizens in attendance.
Police are also taking extra precautions at Saturday’s Holiday Lighting Festival at Triangle Park from 3-7 p.m. Newman said more than 20 officers will be present at the festival, which is more than double the usual amount.
“It’s going to be a fun, safe environment for everyone that attends,” Newman said. “We just want to encourage people to continue to come out and enjoy themselves at the parade.”
Darrell Brooks, 39, of Milwaukee faces multiple counts of intentional homicide after the Waukesha parade. He’s accused of ramming his SUV into parade participants.
This story was originally published November 24, 2021 at 1:55 PM.
