Police and fire chiefs disclose Fourth of July safety preparations

ST. LOUIS – Chief Robert Tracy and Chief Dennis Jenkerson held a news conference to discuss safety plans for the July 4 parade.

Chief Tracy said the message to any possible protestors is clear.

“Getting onto a parade site and jumping over fences is trespassing,” he said.

Just days after the city’s Pride parade, where 19 protestors were arrested, police are anticipating another round of protests.

“We have gathered intelligence to suggest protestors may attempt to disrupt the parade on Thursday using a so-called sleeping dragon tactic,” Chief Tracy said.

It is the same tactic used during the Pride parade, where protestors link together with pieces of PVC pipe.

Chief Jenkerson said they’ll have firefighters on site ready.

“They’re called cut teams. There’s different methods that we use based on what type of device protestors are bringing,” he said.

Both Jenkerson and Tracy are asking for the public’s help.

“If you’re in downtown for the parade and see something that just doesn’t look right, let us know,” Jenkerson said.

“We make sure that we do have plain clothes officers that can view things that are not in uniform that can make sure if any suspicious activity happens—not just protestors, but other things that we’ve seen at other events to make sure that we address accordingly,” Tracy said.

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