Surrey\u2019s largest annual public event \u2013 the Vaisakhi parade on Saturday, April 18, which typically draws roughly half a million people to Newton \u2013 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, as everyone knows, we had the very unfortunate and tragic Lapu Lapu incident last year in Vancouver that\u2019s resulted in changes to provincial regulations around events, not just relating to policing but to many other aspects of them, so we\u2019ll be following the recommendations and all of the new aspects of major public events,\u201d Surrey Police Service Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said. \u201cThere will be increased checkpoints, increased barrier systems, there will be increased traffic restrictions.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s obviously the worst-case scenario and not something anyone ever wants to have happen again, whether it\u2019s here or anywhere else in the world. It something that we plan for, but obviously it would be an awful tragedy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vaisakhi is a harvest festival celebrated by people of Indian descent, and this year\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Houghton said drones will be used again, like last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was useful and, yes, we will be using them again and probably more of them,\u201d he said. \u201cPolice 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re not a cop, don\u2019t think about flying a drone yourself over the parade \u2013 it\u2019s prohibited, and if you get caught you could be looking at a fine up to $3,000.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we get calls that there\u2019s a disturbance or something, drones can help direct officers or first responders in. If there\u2019s 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 \u2013 the RCMP used it before us and we\u2019ve continued to use it, traffic camera system and other cameras, all that will be at the operation centre at City Hall again this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
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<\/a> (surreypolice.ca) for information on that.<\/p>\n \u201cWhether it\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is without a doubt the largest public event in Surrey every single year. There will be hundreds of police.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Houghton said significant traffic delays can be expected between 72 Avenue and 88 Avenue and from Scott Road to King George Boulevard.<\/p>\n \u201cThe public is encouraged to plan alternate routes,\u201d he added. \u201cResidents driving in traffic-restricted areas must carry a driver\u2019s licence with a current address to access their homes at police checkpoints.\u201d<\/p>\n 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 \u201csoft closure zone\u201d<\/a> only for drop-offs and pickups, and any resident vehicles remaining on the parade route after 7 a.m. won\u2019t be allowed to exit until 5 p.m. According to the City\u2019s website, the Surrey Police Service may help residents who require access to or from their homes, but vehicles won\u2019t be permitted on the parade route \u201cuntil the phased reopening begins at approximately 5:00 p.m.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n