EAST PEORIA, Ill. – More than 200,000 people are expected to fill the Peoria and East Peoria riverfronts for Thursday night’s Choose Greater Peoria Red, White, and BOOM.
East Peoria Police Chief David Catton says preparations have been going on for nearly half a year for what he calls the biggest event for his department.
He says the plan for keeping everyone safe this year will be about the same as it has been in previous years. But Catton says the department has been able to increase the number of staff and officers that can help out with patrols.
“Not any real big changes, same type of game planning, just things a little bit to a bigger degree, as far as manpower,” Catton said.
Catton says officers will be stationed all over the riverfront park area, in uniform and in plain clothes. He also asks spectators to abide by rules regarding what can and cannot be brought into the park, and to pay attention to traffic patterns when they leave the show.
Catton says some of those items that cannot be brought include fireworks, grills, and heavy furniture.
“Those are some of the three biggest issues we’ve had in the past,” Catton said. “We’ve actually had people bring furniture in the park, living room furniture, so that also clogs up the area and it makes it an immovable object.”
As for what you can bring, Catton says the list includes coolers, lawn chairs, and some pop-up tents or canopies.
For people who are not at the fireworks show, Catton asks people to not light fireworks off at their homes. He says illegal fireworks are one of the biggest calls the department receives this time of year.
Catton says a successful night includes no issues and getting everyone out of the riverfront area by 11:00 P.M.
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