Flag bearers from the Ancient Order of Hibernians made their way south on Broadway Boulevard Sunday, March 17th, 2024, during the 50th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. Susan Pfannmuller Special to The Star
As thousands of revelers line the streets of downtown Kansas City for the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade Monday, they will be again surrounded by a strong police and law enforcement presence.
Increased security is in response to ongoing concerns about public safety a year following the mass shooting that took place outside Union Station during the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl celebration.
A bevy of Irish-themed celebrations and activities are scheduled throughout the metro area and organizers continue to work to ensure the large crowds are safe.
Kansas City Police Department officers and other law enforcement personnel will be placed at various points along the parade route, said Capt. Jacob Becchina, a police spokesman.
“Should there be a need for police intervention, our officers are highly trained and ready to respond to a multitude of possible scenarios,” he said.
Police had a heightened presence Sunday, March 17, 2024, during the Kansas City St. Patrick’s Day parade. The parade celebrated it’s 50th anniversary as it marched south on Broadway Boulevard from Linwood Boulevard to 43rd Street. Susan Pfannmuller Special to The Star
Becchina said that KCPD does not publicly release the details of its law enforcement strategies ahead of a large event. Security plans for the parade can vary slightly from year to year based on the route, Becchina said.
“Our mission of protecting the tens of thousands of parade-goers never changes,” he said.
Kansas City’s St. Patrick’s Day parade has an estimated attendance of up to 400,000, according to Irish Road Trip Guide’s rankings.
A strong police presence last year helped keep parade-goers safe, according to Jean Dalrymple, a parade organizer.
“We had very, very little problems,” said Dalrymple. “There’s always a large police presence up and down the parade route, not only helping people with traffic control but ensuring that all the families and everybody who attends are able to do so safely.”
The St. Andrew Pipes and Drums made their way south on Broadway Boulevard Sunday, March 17th, 2024, during the 50th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. Susan Pfannmuller Special to The Star
In the weeks following the mass shooting at a rally celebrating the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win, the city’s sense of security was shaken. A dispute between two groups of people led to an eruption of gunfire that wounded 22 people and killed Lisa Lopez Galvan, a 43-year-old mother of two.
The gunfire sent nine children to the hospital with bullet wounds. Since that day, three men and three juveniles have been charged in connection with the shooting. Jury trials for two of the accused men are set for March and September.
A month after the shooting last year, St. Patrick’s Day festivities organizers increased police presence along the parade route. Participants voiced their concern for safety to event organizers, who met with law enforcement regularly leading up to their events.
While caution was high, the events were enjoyed without confrontation or violence, organizers said.
“It was so great last year. We were relieved that we had a nice, beautiful, safe parade, and the weather looks even better this year than it was last year,” Dalrymple said.
Last year, law enforcement advised organizers what to look for along the parade route and how to best prepare volunteers. This included how to identify suspicious activity and how a large police presence can be a key deterrent at any large open-air event, police told the Star last year.
Decked out in his Irish gear, Patrick McCaffery, 10 of Shawnee, watched as the parade headed south on Broadway Boulevard Sunday, March 17th, 2024, during the 50th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. Susan Pfannmuller Special to The Star
Some organizers revamped safety and emergency plans, adjusting procedures as recommended by law enforcement.
In its 51st year, the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade is expected to feature more than 100 entries, including floats and marching bands, from community organizations, businesses, government officials, families and individuals.
During pre-parade planning each year, organizers meet with city leaders to confirm the route and allow law enforcement to implement security plans, Dalrymple said.
This year, organizers said, they have not heard any safety concerns from participants, she said.
In addition to the parade, attendees can enjoy a variety of Irish celebrations with vendors at each end of the parade and along the route.
Some local businesses, including Browne’s Irish Marketplace, will be hosting breakfasts and other ways to celebrate Monday morning.
“We’re just happy and excited that we can have this event for all of Kansas City and certainly honoring the Irish community,” Dalrymple said. “We’re looking forward to a really good day.”
Previous reporting by the Star’s Laura Bauer contributed to this report.
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The Kansas City Star