500,000 people will be in downtown KC to celebrate the Chiefs. Here’s how to stay safe

It’s a logistical safety challenge.

An estimated 500,000 spectators. Blocks of downtown city streets. An entire National Football League team roster.

But it’s a challenge that Kansas City officials say they’ve got handled, with hundreds of law enforcement officers from the Kansas City Police Department and more than 25 other agencies from Missouri and Kansas working security at the Super Bowl victory parade Wednesday, which starts at noon at Grand Boulevard and Sixth Street.

It’ll travel south on Grand until it reaches Pershing Road, when the parade will turn right and head toward Union Station.

A victory rally will start at Union Station at 1:45 p.m., and the National WWI Museum and Memorial will host viewing opportunities on its north lawn.

Officials have said that the event will be “family-friendly” and public alcohol consumption is banned. Sgt. Jake Becchina, a spokesman with the police department, said in an email that officers at the parade will be looking to keep attendees safe while still allowing everyone to celebrate and have fun.

Officers will be monitoring a number of potential issues, including crowd and traffic control, assisting emergency vehicles if needed and encouraging patience from parade goers leading up to the parade.

At major events like the victory parade, former FBI special agent Michael Tabman said police are focused on having a strong presence so that crowds feel safe and others are deterred from breaking the law. They’ll also look for anyone acting suspicious, respond to tips from any concerned attendees and possibly monitor public social media posts.

A large disturbance isn’t likely at the victory parade, Tabman said, but law enforcement officials are looking to mitigate any problem they think could lead to bigger issues.

“Everyone could be there to have fun, and very few people intend to do bad,” Tabman said, “but it just takes one wrong push or someone accidentally running into somebody that could set off a fight. The fight spreads and before you know it, it becomes more of a riot than an event.”

While officials are working to keep the event safe, Becchina also said officers were reminded to have fun and interact with community members. During the Super Bowl victory parade in 2020, he said officers protected fans from a car chase that moved through the parade route while also finding time to cheer, play catch and celebrate.

“Chief (Stacey) Graves met with all command staff and encouraged them to instill in their crews to have fun, while remaining professional and keeping everyone SAFE, first and foremost,” Becchina said. “Officers will be allowed to wear Chiefs’ hats as well as a way of showing their support and celebration along with the crowds for the Chiefs’ great season and great Superbowl victory.”

The department also posted various safety tips for attendees.

There will be nine child reunification centers along the route for families who lose children. Officials recommend taking a photo of your child in their outfit the day of the parade and writing contact information for a parent or guardian either on a wristband or each child’s arm so that it’ll be easier to find family members.

With limited parking available, public transportation, taxis and rideshare services are recommended. Free shuttle services are available at specific locations in Jackson and Johnson counties.

Because crowds will impact cell service, families and groups should pick a meet-up point in advance in case they are separated.

Fans should expect large crowds and long wait times getting into and out of downtown throughout the day. Officials in Johnson County said parade goers taking a free shuttle available from Oak Park Mall should expect travel times of at least 90 minutes to get to Kansas City.

Most importantly, Tabman said attendees should be patient with each other and follow rules from officials to stay safe.

“If you don’t like the rules, don’t go,” he said. “Don’t show up and expect to argue with the police officers and get in their face. That’s only going to lead to trouble.”

If there is a disturbance, Tabman said the best thing anyone can do is move in the opposite direction.

Forecasts ahead of the parade show it should be a cool, dry day with a mild breeze.

“Wednesday is looking like a great day for a parade,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Pamela Pietrycha.

Public alcohol consumption is banned at the event, which officials said is family friendly. Attendees were encouraged to travel light and not carry any bags or backpacks.

For updated information on the parade and celebration visit the parade website at www.chiefsparade.com, sign up for text alerts from AlertKC by texting KCPARADE to 888-777, or follow @KansasCity and @SportKC on Twitter or find them on Facebook and Instagram.

The Star also has guides to help you find the best spots along the parade route and hotels and parking in the city.