Security concerns prompt change at Sun Bowl Parade

Some 250,000 people are expected to turn out for the FirstLight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade on Thanksgiving Day.

This year, the El Paso Police Department is increasing security.

Cities such as New York, Las Vegas and Orlando have all seen terror attacks aimed at large crowds of people.

The Borderland has not been a target, but police are now looking at the popular parade through a new security lens.

Camping out the night before the Sun Bowl Parade has become a tradition for some families.
The parade tailgaters want to make sure they get a good spot.

People park their RV’s, pitch their tents and plant their chairs along the parade route on Montana Boulevard.

The tradition will continue at this year’s parade — with one change.

“The seats left out the night before, if they are on city property those seats, grills, tents, if they are unmanned, they will be removed by the city of El Paso. You know it’s just another step for safety,” said the Sun Bowl Association’s Joe Daubach.

Volunteers are finishing up the last-minute touches to this year’s floats. The theme is American folklore.

And with hundreds of thousands of spectators expected, the parade has become the city’s largest attended event.

“We constantly evaluate our security protocols for these types of events and based on nationwide and worldwide events we have enhanced security,” said El Paso police Sgt. Robert Gomez.

El Paso police want to make clear there is no
immediate threat, but the department has decided to be proactive.

“Any increase or any difference in personnel that you see, just know that it is part of our protocol in order to make sure that everything is safe,” said Gomez.

The New York City Police Department is also enhancing security at this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. They stepped up security measures in the wake of last month’s terror attack in lower Manhattan that left eight people dead.

El Paso police are asking everyone to remain vigilant. If you see something, say something.

Personal belongings left on private property will not be removed, but the Police Department warned if you leave your stuff on public property unattended — it most likely will not be there when you return.