Gasparilla: Tampa PD Prepares For Parades, Safety Tips to Know

Tampa police will deploy drones and coordinate with roughly 80 law enforcement groups to protect Gasparilla festivities. It kicks off this weekend. The Children's Gasparilla Parade happens Saturday, and the department's new Drone as First Responder program will launch unmanned aircraft if 911 calls arrive, allowing aerial surveillance of unfolding situations.

Officers will patrol on land, across waterways, and through the skies. Safety divers aboard marine vessels will scan beneath the surface. Horses, dogs, and bike squads will help personnel move through packed streets. Paramedics on bicycles stand ready to reach medical crises fast.

"We will be monitoring the events from our Real-Time Crime Center, by air and even by boat," said Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw, per 10 Tampa Bay. "Keep in mind, a temporary flight restriction will be in place."

Personal drones? Banned. A no-fly zone covers the parade routes, and only authorized law enforcement can operate unmanned aircraft during festivities.

"Be vigilant. And if you see something, say something to law enforcement," said Major Jason Dillaha, according to Fox 13 Tampa Bay. "At Gasparilla Day Parade, we'll have thousands of law enforcement officers out there. If you see something out of place, could be little, could be major, please let an officer know so that we can do something."

Months of preparation have gone into managing crowds that could swell into the hundreds of thousands. Each parade presents distinct obstacles. Police craft custom protection plans for every event, studying tactics from similar gatherings nationwide to determine what modifications work best here.

"People will have no idea how many law enforcement and fire rescue personnel are on duty that day, and that's the way that it should be," said Mayor Jane Castor, according to 10 Tampa Bay.

The upgraded Prepared 911 system allows citizens to transmit video clips and photos straight to dispatchers. The Real-Time Crime Center will track everything as it happens.

Boats must maintain 50 feet of distance from main parade vessels. The U.S. Coast Guard and partner groups will patrol the safety perimeter on water.

Weapons are not permitted at any event and alcohol is banned at the children's parade. 

Text "Gasparilla" to 88877 for safety updates during the festivities.