Security at Celebrate Birmingham Parade Everyone's Job

The Birmingham Police Department will have a strong, visible presence in today's Celebrate Birmingham Parade, and among the crowds anticipated to watch the community procession on South Old Woodward Avenue, Chief Don Studt said Friday.

Despite recent tragedies like the Boston Marathon bombings, and last week's mass shooting at a Mother's Day parade in New Orleans that could raise concerns about 'soft' targets, the department has not seen a specific need to address how to deal with crowds in open events downtown.

"I think everyone's aware of what's gone on recently in our country and in our world today, and importance of staying vigilant," Studt said. "You always want to be aware of your surroundings and people that are out there to cause harm, and our people do a great job of doing that already," Studt said. 

Though the parade signifies the beginning of the outdoor event season in Birmingham, Studt said there have already been large crowds for outdoor events this spring already, and no problems or security concerns to report.

Officials said additional officers will be on hand to help manage and secure the parade route, and more will be assigned to foot patrols during this event, as they are on the weekends downtown. Still, that doesn't mean the officers can do it alone when it comes to open community events.

"We want people to have a good time, and don't anticipate any problems. But it's important that when anyone sees anything unusual to let us know right away," he said. 

Birmingham Patch reader Donna MacMurray Klein said she feels just as safe attending this and other events downtown as before.

"The terrorists won't win!" she declared in response to a post Saturday on the Birmingham Patch Facebook page.

Others took issue with even posing the question about security at this event.

"It's a hometown parade, we're not in a giant metropolis with newscasters and people from all over the country who want to participate... Stop promoting paranoia," wrote Martina Panian, on the Birmingham Patch Facebook page.

Do you think more about security at community events since recent tragedies at public gatherings around the country or not? Tell us in the comments.