PEORIA/EAST PEORIA, Ill. – Security measures for this year’s Choose Greater Peoria Red, White, and BOOM! are being ramped up as the Illinois River becomes the focal point for celebrating America’s 250th birthday.
More than 200,000 people are expected to attend Saturday night on the Peoria and East Peoria Riverfronts.
Speaking on WMBD’s “The Greg and Dan Show” this week, Peoria Police Chief Brad Dixon says this year’s enhanced measures include a clear bag policy, metal detectors at the three entrances to the secured area on the Riverfront, and an enclosed area.
Because of the increased security measures, Dixon is urging the public to arrive earlier than they normally would.
“Whatever time you normally come down, I would give yourself another 20-30 minutes, just to get yourself through the security check,” Dixon said.
Dixon says some of the prohibited items include fireworks, weapons such as guns and knives, and drones.
In addition, Dixon is asking people to come to the Riverfront. He says, in the past, some people would park on sidewalks, or even find a spot on the road to sit and park to watch the fireworks.
On the East Peoria side of the river, Police Chief David Catton says his department will be re-running last year’s playbook for safety.
“We were thanked constantly when we were walking around from the general public on those safety measures that we put in place,” Catton said.
Catton says his department is taking every threat seriously, and started their increased measures last year. This year will see the return of a secured perimeter area with barricades at River Front Park. He says there will be only one entrance for people to get in, but numerous ways to exit the park.
Catton is also asking the public to not bring prohibited items to make entry smoother into the park.
Once the show is over, Catton says there are two ways to exit the area and East Peoria, depending on the lot people are located in. He’s asking people to plan ahead of time their exit plan.
Dixon is asking people on the Peoria side to have patience and grace with police as they leave the show, knowing it could take a while to head home.
“There’s a whole lot of people, it’s going to be jammed up, with the two-way streets now, it might be even a little more congested,” Dixon said. “It does get better. Just getting people away, getting them home safe, just relax and we’ll get you through.”
Traffic reports to help people to the show and get home can be heard throughout the afternoon and evening on WMBD Radio.
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