Last Year’s ‘Unprecedented’ Rose Parade, Rose Bowl Security Measures Are the New Norm

Security agencies from virtually every level of government are coordinating to ensure safe and successful Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game events on January 2 in a massive effort that builds upon last year’s unprecedented measures, authorities said.

“As of right now, there have been no known threats to the Rose Parade,” reported Lt. Vasken Gourdikian of the Pasadena Police Department. “Our security plans will be much of the same that we had last year … and likely moving forward.”

Last year’s plan rolled out what officials at the time described as “unprecedented” efforts that included more than 2,000 federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security and two dozen federal agencies.

The U.S. Secret Service will coordinate this year’s federal security forces at the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl, according according to the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Western Regional Communications Director Virginia Kice.

A spokesman for the U.S. Secret Service could not be reached for comment.

“The Tournament of Roses Association continues to work with our public safety partners on the local, county, state and federal levels with lead agency coordination by the Pasadena Police Department,” 2017 Tournament of Roses President Brad Ratliff said in a written statement. “For reasons of safety and security, specific details of security planning are not provided to the public.”

According to Pasadena Police Lt. Art Chute, Pasadena’s New Year’s events have received a threat rating of 1, the highest in a scale of one to five as determined by the Department of Homeland Security.

“This rating affords us the opportunity to use Federal resources,” said Chute, who explained that the parade route will feature extensive camera placements, bomb detection canines, covert officers and agents and metal detectors.

“We have not pulled back from increasing these resources and we don’t have plans to decrease by any means,” said Chute.

Every Pasadena police officer will be equipped with a body worn camera.

“The police body worn cameras are going to be utilized like they’re intended to use currently today. We expect the members of our organization to employ them like they would any other day,” said Gourdikian.

Tournament of Roses President Ratliff noted that Pasadena works year round in monitoring conditions and preparing for the New Year’s celebrations.

“Providing a secure environment for large-scale events is a complex process that requires the involvement and cooperation of many individuals and organizations,” he said.

Security preparations at the Rose Bowl will be stricter this year, authorities said.

“I would say to you that the safety and security of people in Pasadena is the top priority and you better believe that it’s going to be as high if not higher. Every year we learn something new and how to do things better and this year we’re building on what we did last year,” said District 5 Councilmember and Rose Bowl Operating Company President Victor Gordo.

Rose Bowl Stadium goers can expect delays due to mandatory metal detector entrance ways. The metal detector gate entrances were in effect last year and were not required for every attendee. This year, passage through metal detectors is now a requirement, according to Chute.

“I would encourage people to plan to get to the game and to the parade in a timely manner because safety and security often cause a bit of delay,” Gordo advised. “Our police department leaves absolutely no stone unturned when it comes to ensuring that we are coordinating with all the correct agencies.”

The “clear bag” policy will be in effect again this year at the Rose Bowl game which requires anyone entering the Rose Bowl to have belongings and other items stored in a clear plastic bag. No concealed items are allowed.

There will be bag check kiosks for people who do not have a clear bag and can then check in their bags in exchange for a transparent bag.

“We’re being thoughtful in our approach with our partnerships and just making sure that we are making the environment as safe as possible,” said Gourdikian.

The 128th Rose Parade will take place on Monday, January 2 due to a “Never on Sunday” tradition that has been in place since 1893, according to the Tournament of Roses Website.

“It will affect attendance. We are going to have more people in Pasadena celebrating the pageantry in Pasadena, bringing in the New Year and enjoying great football. It’s great for our local economy, it’s great for the city and we should embrace it and ensure that it’s a safe and a fun event,” said Gordo.

“The City of Pasadena always devotes significant attention and resources in close cooperation with the Tournament of Roses, to ensure the safety and success of the annual Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game. For many months, this advance planning has included working very closely with a variety of federal, state, county and other agencies and that process is active and ongoing,” Pasadena Public Information Officer William H. Boyer said in a written statement Monday.

“Currently, the City’s Chief of Police and the Fire Chief will be conducting a press conference next week, along with a representative for our federal partners, to talk about the public safety component for the parade and bowl game,” Boyer continued. “A media advisory on the press conference will be issued later this week.”

The press conference will be held on December 28, Boyer said earlier.

For a full list of Rose Parade and Rose Bowl codes of conduct, visit http://www.cityofpasadena.net/Rose-Bowl-Rose-Parade/ and http://www.rosebowlstadium.com/visitor-center/code-of-conduct.