Philadelphia Police "closely monitoring" Mummers Parade after New Year's Day attack in New Orleans
Philadelphia Police say they're "closely monitoring" the city's annual New Year's Day parade after at least 15 people were killed in New Orleans early Wednesday in what the FBI described as an "act of terrorism."
In a series of social media posts, the PPD said officers will be on patrol throughout the city, including the Mummers Parade route.
Numerous departments and officials, including Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel and the city's Office of Emergency Management, will be at the parade on Wednesday.
"We are doing everything that we possibly can to ensure that Philadelphia is safe and particularly when it comes to large scale events like this but we will not allow anyone to paralyze us into not being able to enjoy our city, the birthplace of democracy, the best city in the nation. And we won't allow anybody to take that away from us," Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said.
Earlier in the morning, at least 15 people died and dozens were injured after a truck rammed into a crowd of people celebrating New Year's Day on Bourbon Street in New Orleans' French Quarter.
"My prayer for them is that right now God will give them a certain peace that passes all understanding to meet this moment because you can't prepare for anything like this. But you unite and you stay together and you do your best to get through it," Parker said.
The FBI has taken the lead on the investigation, and said in a news release just before 10 a.m. that the suspect, who is now dead, "engaged with local law enforcement" after getting out of the car. New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said two police officers were shot but are currently in stable condition, and a long gun was found at the scene.
"Our hearts go out to all those impacted by this unthinkable act," Philadelphia police said.
Police Deputy Commissioner Mike Cram told CBS News Philadelphia the city will have plenty of law enforcement throughout the day, but part of the department's safety plan won't be visible to residents and visitors.
"We take a layered approach," Cram said. "So there's officers you see and officers you don't see just trying to create that safe environment."
Part of that approach is blocking vehicles from the parade route, and using sanitation trucks as barricades at various points.
"You'll see plenty of vehicles. We try to, what we call a blocking plan where you'll see sanitation trucks out there these big events that we use to restrict traffic movement," Cram said. "We have police cars blocked just create a safe environment so vehicles can't get into the parade route that aren't supposed to be there. You'll see officers on bikes, you'll see officers on dirt bikes. So we take a very layered approach."
Police said their security plan for the Mummers Parade changes every year, and the department is constantly working to find holes in previous strategies and make adjustments to keep people safe.
"It's like a second family."
As police kept a close eye on the parade, the Mummers Parade continued on in Philadelphia on New Year's Day and it didn't disappoint.
Mummers strutted up and down Broad Street, and many say the day is like Christmas morning for them.
"This is the best day of the year. I couldn't sleep last night," Scott Ratzke, of the Ferko String Band, said.
Costumes were blowing in the wind and parade-goers and Mummers alike battled the cold temperatures.
Later in the night, Mummers in the Fancy Brigade Association competed at the Convention Center.
"It's a 365-day-a-year hobby honestly," Ratzke said. "Tomorrow we will start working on next year. It never really stops but it's always a great time and I wouldn't trade it for the world."
After a day of celebration, people said it's all about making memories and enjoying time with loved ones.
"Actually last year was her first year," Nikaiya Snell, of West Philadelphia, said. "She really enjoyed it and got some umbrellas from a few of the members."
"It's like a second family. I love spending the day with them," said Jim Good, who is with the Quaker City String Band. "We worked so hard for this throughout the year and it's the end of all that hard work."
