A year after the mass shooting at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade, a number of fireworks shows and other large-participation events planned now included heightened police presences, authorities’ use of drones and other increased security measures.
Some northwest suburban communities are among ones enhancing security protocols around summer events to help ensure the safety of residents.
“Last year’s tragedy in Highland Park, along with other incidents that have occurred both regionally and nationally, remain top of mind when developing security plans for various special events, including parades,” said Buffalo Grove village spokeswoman Molly Gillespie.
Seven people were killed and dozens injured when a gunman opened fire during the 2022 Fourth of July parade in Highland Park. And, according to national websites and organizations keeping count, there have already been more than 400 mass shootings —defined as occurrences where five or more people are shot — in the U.S. this year.
As in other locales nationwide, leaders in the villages of Buffalo Grove, Barrington, Lake Zurich and Arlington Heights told Pioneer Press that extra safety efforts are in place as they keep residents’ safety top of mind at summer events.
Although Buffalo Grove does not host a Fourth of July parade, there was a symphony in the park July 4 playing to a crowd that stayed over for the village’s Independence Day fireworks show.
Additionally, the popular Buffalo Grove Days is planned for Aug. 31 to Sept. 4 at Mike Rylko Community Park. Gillespie said security plans are not disclosed to the public in an effort to minimize potential hazards.
However, she said, “we continually train and adjust plans based on the latest best practices, learned experiences and other measures to do everything possible to minimize risk of critical incidents.”
The Barrington police chief said security remains a priority in that northwest suburb as a number of popular local events take place this summer — including the concerts held at the town’s Metra commuter train station as part of the Fourth of July events.
“As a police department, we will continue to be vigilant at all of Barrington’s community events to ensure the safety of all our residents,” police Chief David Dorn stated in an email to Pioneer Press.
Ahead of the parade that rolled through town July 4, Village spokeswoman Kate Himes said security would be similar to that of past years, but with additional personnel.
“We cannot go into all of the details, but there will be an emphasis on rooftops and threats that generate a quick response,” she told Pioneer Press days before the parade. “We will be utilizing a drone and other security measures to minimize the risk to the public and we will also have personnel readily available to assist other communities following our events, if needed.”
Lake Zurich Village Manager Ray Keller said although the village doesn’t host a Fourth of July parade, the town is one of many Lake County municipalities whose police would be supporting Highland Park’s parade this year.
The village village hosted its annual Lake Zurich Independence/Family Day at Paulus Park on July 4 and planned accordingly, officials said.
“Each year we adjust our approach to event security based on previous experiences and any emergent trends and threats that we may become aware of,” Keller said.
Arlington Heights hosts a Fourth of July parade, along with Frontier Days festival at Recreation Park from June 30 through July 4.
“We do not want provide information on our security plans as we don’t want to compromise their effectiveness,” said Village Manager Randy Recklaus. “However, we can tell you that our security plans for all of the large events in town this summer will be enhanced and are informed by recent incidents both locally and nationally.”
Elizabeth Owens-Schiele is a freelancer.
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