Surrey’s largest annual public event – the Vaisakhi parade on Saturday, April 18, which typically draws roughly half a million people to Newton – will see some new security protocols in place in light of the Lapu Lapu Filipino festival tragedy in Vancouver almost one year ago where 11 people were killed and 32 injured when a car was driven through a crowded street.

“Unfortunately, as everyone knows, we had the very unfortunate and tragic Lapu Lapu incident last year in Vancouver that’s resulted in changes to provincial regulations around events, not just relating to policing but to many other aspects of them, so we’ll be following the recommendations and all of the new aspects of major public events,” Surrey Police Service Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said. “There will be increased checkpoints, increased barrier systems, there will be increased traffic restrictions.

“It’s obviously the worst-case scenario and not something anyone ever wants to have happen again, whether it’s here or anywhere else in the world. It something that we plan for, but obviously it would be an awful tragedy.”

Vaisakhi is a harvest festival celebrated by people of Indian descent, and this year’s parade will begin at 9 a.m. at the Gurdwara Sahib Darbar at 12885 85 Ave., continue along 124 Street, then head left on 75 Avenue onto 128 Street before returning to the temple at about 5 p.m.

Houghton said drones will be used again, like last year.

“It was useful and, yes, we will be using them again and probably more of them,” he said. “Police across Canada and around the world are using more and more remotely piloted aerial vehicles or systems to monitor crowd control, be able to assist looking for missing people, which happens a lot at Vaisakhi every year. Missing kids, spotting any trouble spots if we get reports.”

If you’re not a cop, don’t think about flying a drone yourself over the parade – it’s prohibited, and if you get caught you could be looking at a fine up to $3,000.

“If we get calls that there’s a disturbance or something, drones can help direct officers or first responders in. If there’s any injuries they can also help first responders be directed in. Those drones will be augmented by a fairly significant CCTV system which has been in place for many years – the RCMP used it before us and we’ve continued to use it, traffic camera system and other cameras, all that will be at the operation centre at City Hall again this year.”

Parking will be restricted as part of the new provincial government restrictions governing large public events. There will be a parking pass system for entry into restricted areas. People can check out the SPS website (surreypolice.ca) for information on that.

“Whether it’s Vaisakhi or PNE or any other major events, we understand that parking is an issue and probably has been for decades. If people have concerns about parking that should be directed more to bylaw (enforcement), not to police. We are entirely focused on Vaisakhi Day, on public safety and making sure everyone has a good time and stays safe.”

Houghton noted there will be dozens of first-aid stations along the parade route, and search-and-rescue volunteers will be on scene at command posts they set up.

“This is without a doubt the largest public event in Surrey every single year. There will be hundreds of police.”

There will be traffic restrictions in northwest Newton area that will impact residents and businesses. Traffic control will be in effect between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. along the designated parade route with no vehicles permitted on route during that time.

Houghton said significant traffic delays can be expected between 72 Avenue and 88 Avenue and from Scott Road to King George Boulevard.

“The public is encouraged to plan alternate routes,” he added. “Residents driving in traffic-restricted areas must carry a driver’s licence with a current address to access their homes at police checkpoints.”

Businesses that require vehicle access to the parade route must achieve this before 7 a.m. after which business owners possessing a valid parking pass will be allowed access to a “soft closure zone” only for drop-offs and pickups, and any resident vehicles remaining on the parade route after 7 a.m. won’t be allowed to exit until 5 p.m. According to the City’s website, the Surrey Police Service may help residents who require access to or from their homes, but vehicles won’t be permitted on the parade route “until the phased reopening begins at approximately 5:00 p.m.”

TransLink recommends that people not within walking distance take public transit to get to the parade considering the limited parking and indicates the 323 128 Street bus will take passengers to and from 128 Street and 88 Avenue, relatively close to Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar.

Given the road closures to accommodate the parade, the 323 128 Street, 324 132 Street, and 329 124 Street bus routes are re-routed on parade day with the 323 and 393 South Newton routes also rerouted for setup.

You can visit translink.ca/alerts for details and plan your transit trip using TransLink’s trip planner.

Meantime, the SPS offers the following safety tips:

• Take a group photo before arriving at the Parade to help identify missing loved ones if needed.

• Review the Parade route and surrounding areas and choose a pre-arranged meeting location.

• Ensure everyone carries identification; place contact information in children’s pockets or shoes.

• Keep a recent photo of your child with you.

• Keep children within eyesight at all times.

• Notify the nearest police officer immediately if someone goes missing.

• Leave pets at home, as crowds and noise may cause distress.