Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Police Tighten Holiday Parade Security After Waukesha Attack

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said there are no know threats to the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Parade but his agency is monitoring.

November 24, 2021
Police Tighten Holiday Parade Security After Waukesha Attack

 

2 min to read


In the wake of a deadly attack on a Christmas parade in Waukesha, WI, last weekend, law enforcement in cities hosting some of the nation's largest Thanksgiving week parades are tightening security and revising traffic plans.

The horror of the Waukesha attack, whick killed six and injured 60 — had law enforcement officials in southeast Michigan saying this week they were reviewing security plans for holiday events, including the annual parade in Detroit. 

Ad Loading...

After discussing the tragedy in Waukesha, Detroit police command staff decided to add "extra measures" to increase parade security this week, a spokesman said. Likewise in Oakland County, all county sheriff’s substations were notified to be aware of risks for community events.

Detroit police would not reveal most of the extra measures they plan to take, but one extra measure won’t be a secret. The city will park DPS trucks to buttress standard police barricades at key access points, and these "will not allow vehicles to enter the parade route,” Second Deputy Chief Rudy Harper told the Free Press.

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea told PIX11 there are no know threats to the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Parade but his agency is monitoring.

The police commissioner encouraged people to come down and celebrate with everyone as it will be great weather and a phenomenal day. “We’ll be prepared,” he said. When asked what people heading to the parade should do, Shea said “dress warm and say ‘Thank you’ to a cop.

In Philadelphia, Chief Inspector Michael Cram of the police department’s Homeland Security Division reminded residents the city’s parade route and surrounding streets will be closed and you can expect a police presence throughout, CBS reports.

Ad Loading...

“Our plans are specifically designed to prevent that (an attack) as best as possible. Not every plan is flawless, we always go in with a plan to hopefully cover every situation that could arise,” Cram said.

For those who may be hesitant about coming, “we will provide a safe environment for you to come down and enjoy the day with your family,” Cram said.

And in Los Angeles, the annual Hollywood Christmas Parade is scheduled for Sunday. ABC7 reports that organizers and city officialsL.A. Department of Transportation Chief Brian Hale said his team already has a massive traffic security plan in place ahead of Sunday's road closures.
Embed from Getty Images


More Patrol

POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips video series graphic featuring a Garmont Tactical Contact Collection duty boot against a police vehicle with flashing lights. Includes “Watch Now” callout for the video series.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamJuly 9, 2026

Garmont Tactical Contact Collection: New Duty Boots for Law Enforcement

Choosing the right duty boot can make a significant difference during long shifts. In this video overview, Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, introduces the new Contact Collection, designed specifically for law enforcement professionals seeking comfort, traction, and durability.

Read More →
Benchmade Bailout folding knife with a bronze tanto blade, taiga green handle, and orange accents displayed open against a textured black background, highlighting its lightweight tactical design.
PatrolJuly 9, 2026

Benchmade Launches Taiga Green Bailout

Benchmade has launched its Taiga Green Bailout, which features an anodized aluminum handle, S90V stainless steel, and Burnt Copper hardware accents.

Read More →
Composite image of ADEPT's Nova Titanium tactical helmet, showing front and side views alongside a soldier wearing the helmet in the field, highlighting lightweight ballistic protection for military and tactical applications.
PatrolJuly 9, 2026

Adept Armor Launches the Nova Titanium Combat Helmet: A Metal Ballistic Helmet at Composite-Helmet Weight

Adept Armor said its new Nova Titanium combat helmet delivers rated 9mm protection at 920 grams all-in, low backface deformation, edge-to-edge coverage, and an indefinite shelf life at roughly a quarter the price of premium polyethylene helmets.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Two healthcare professionals model 5.11 medical scrubs—one in gray and one in blue—against a blurred hospital background, highlighting the brand’s professional apparel for medical workers.
PatrolJuly 2, 2026

5.11 Expands Professional Services Line with Premium, Performance-Driven Scrubs Designed for Healthcare Professionals

The launch of high-performance medical scrubs marks another major expansion of 5.11’s growing Professional Services category, enabling hospitals and healthcare systems to outfit a wide range of roles.

Read More →
Close-up of a black SOG Seal FX knife featuring a commemorative 250th anniversary engraving on the blade, displayed on an American flag to honor the United States' semiquincentennial.
PatrolJuly 2, 2026

SOG Knives Unveils 250th Anniversary Limited Edition Fixed Blade

SOG Knives has debuted its 250th Anniversary Limited Edition SEAL FX Fixed Blade, and only 250 are available. It features an advanced 4.3-inch S35VN steel blade and a tough glass-reinforced nylon handle.

Read More →
Close-up of a slim black Streamlight Wedge SL flashlight resting on an olive tactical vest with a black-and-gray American flag patch, its LED illuminated to showcase the compact everyday carry design.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamJune 25, 2026

POLICE Product Test: Streamlight Wedge SL

The Streamlight Wedge SL is a high-performance light for inspection or administrative tasks that features USB-C charging and an output up to 500 lumens in a compact package.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic recognizing Officer Michael Jaycox of the San Jose (CA) Police Department as Officer of the Month for May 2026, featuring his uniformed portrait beside a badge-and-rose emblem.
PatrolJune 25, 2026

NLEOMF Officer of the Month Saved Child from Burning Vehicle

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund named Officer Michael Jaycox of the San Jose Police Department (California) as the Officer of the Month for May 2026. Read more about Jaycox’s heroic actions.

Read More →
Promotional image for Garmont Tactical’s Contact Collection featuring black tactical boots displayed in front of a police vehicle with flashing red and blue emergency lights. Text announces the new collection and notes it is now available.
PatrolJune 24, 2026

Garmont Tactical Introduces the Contact Collection for LE

Garmont Tactical has launched its Contact Collection, a new lineup of law-enforcement duty boots featuring 4-inch and 6-inch options, including waterproof models.

Read More →
Graphic celebrating 1,613 Folds of Honor graduates, featuring graduation books, a diploma, a mortarboard cap, the Folds of Honor logo, and an inset photo of a graduate standing in front of a campus building.
PatrolJune 11, 2026

Folds of Honor Celebrates Graduation Season as 1,613 Military and First Responder Family Scholars Earn Their Degrees

Every Folds of Honor scholar graduating in the Class of 2026 carries a story starting with sacrifice. Folds of Honor ensures it doesn’t end there. Since 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 73,000 educational scholarships to military and first responder families.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic for a POLICE Magazine article on Tennessee’s new deadly force law, featuring Lady Justice, handcuffs, a Tennessee map with Nashville highlighted, and the headline “Impact of New Deadly Force Law.”
Patrolby David StephensJune 4, 2026

Why Tennessee’s New Deadly Force Law Matters Beyond Tennessee

Tennessee’s new deadly force law is more limited than many may realize. Effective July 1, 2026, the law applies to a person who is not engaged in conduct that would constitute a felony or a Class A misdemeanor and who is in a place where the person lawfully resides. But it could have far-reaching influence.

Read More →