Safety concerns cancel Wayne Christmas parade

A Wayne tradition for the last 39 years, the annual Christmas parade sponsored by the Wayne Rotary Club has been canceled for 2015.

The Wayne Police Department doesn’t have enough officers to safely staff such a large event.

“At our board meeting, we made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s holiday parade,” aid Rotarian John VanStipdonk said. “There are a few reasons; primarily it’s due to overtime constraints for police officers and safety concerns.”

The parade requires the closure of streets and intersections, including a section of Michigan Avenue.

“For the safety of the participants — kids, moms and dads — we felt it was in the best interest not to conduct the parade this year,” VanStipdonk said. “We are in the works for an alternate event celebrating Santa Claus’s arrival.”

For the last two years, the club has hosted a lighted evening parade.

“Obviously, this decision wasn’t made lightly. I spoke with the city manager with my concerns about special events,” Wayne Police Chief Alan Maciag said. “We just don’t have the people to staff special events like this safely.”

Including Maciag, Wayne Police currently has 22 officers. However, Maciag noted that one officer is injured and one recent hire is still in training. From a practical standpoint, he said, the leaves 19 officers working.

“Some special events have been tough — almost impossible,” Maciag said. “Last weekend (during Wayne Memorial High School Homecoming) we had to use barricades when officers moved. Citizens moved the barricades and drove into the parade route.”

It’s not entirely a matter of paying for overtime, according to city officials. Officers are working 12-hour shifts and a lot of overtime currently, said Maciag, along with handling investigations into a couple of recent homicides.

“I have to take care of them (officers). They are putting in a lot of overtime,” Maciag said. “I thank Rotary for understanding. They have helped us get grants. Unfortunately, this is where we are today.”

The alternate event is scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, but no details are yet available.

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