Independence Day Parade Celebration Spectator Safety

enlarge photo

Close

On behalf of Chief Anna Ruzinski of the Menomonee Falls Police, I submit the following letter.

June 15, 2010

To All Independence Day Spectators:

The Village of Menomonee Falls is host to one of the area’s largest gatherings to celebrate Independence Day. The Independence Day celebration, parade and fireworks, is the largest annual public gathering in our village. It is the Police Department’s responsibility to ensure that the event is as safe as possible for all to enjoy.

Parade spectators have historically been allowed to lay claim to public property viewing areas beginning twenty-four hours prior to the event. This process has been limited to roping/taping areas off. Tarps that cover the ground and furniture are prohibited. Prohibited items have been and will be removed as abandoned property.

In years past, the laying of claim to areas to view the parade within the median of State Highway 175/Appleton Avenue has been problematic and raises my concern for the safety of both the parade spectators and the motoring public. In order to minimize the potential of somebody getting seriously injured, a more controlled and structured process will be implemented.

As in years past, nobody will be allowed to lay claim to any public property prior to twenty-four hours before the event. This year’s parade begins at 7:00 p.m. on July 3, 2010. As such, nobody will be allowed to lay claim to public property any earlier than 7:00 p.m. on July 2, 2010. Any items placed prior to 7:00 p.m. will be confiscated and discarded as abandoned property. The Police Department will facilitate a closure of State Highway 175/Appleton Avenue between Woosencraft Drive and Elm Lane at 7:00 p.m. on Jul 2, 2010 in order to provide a safe environment for spectators to lay claim to areas within the median of State Highway 175/Appleton Avenue. This closure will remain in place until 7:30 p.m. Spectators are prohibited from being in the roadway/median both prior to 7:00 p.m. and after 7:30 p.m. Subjects entering the roadway/median outside the time of the aforementioned closure are subject to enforcement measures including receiving a citation for prohibited standing or loitering in roadway with a fine amount of $63.60, disorderly conduct with a penalty of fine amount of $429.00, and/or obstructing an officer with a fine amount of $807.00. Nobody will be allowed to enter into the median area again until one hour prior to the beginning of the parade at 6:00 p.m. on July 3, 2010 when the police department will once again facilitate the closure of State Highway 175/Appleton Avenue.

Thank you very much for everybody’s anticipated cooperation and have a wonderful and joyous Independence Day celebration!

Sincerely,

Anna M. Ruzinski

Chief of Police