Baltimore Christmas Parade Still On Despite Security Concerns

BALTIMORE, MD — The organizers of Maryland's largest Christmas parade say this year's event will happen as planned despite concerns there may not be enough Baltimore city police officers to provide security, according to reports.

The 49th annual Mayor’s Christmas Parade in Hampden will be held Sunday at 1 p.m. The parade stretches along a 2.5-mile route. Last year, the parade was watched by approximately 25,000 people.

This year, however, there's a conflict: The parade is scheduled for the same time the Baltimore Ravens host the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium.

According to a Baltimore Sun report, city officials called parade organizers last week to ask them to reschedule the popular parade because there aren't enough police officers to cover it and the Ravens game.

Event organizers weren't swayed.

"I understand you need police but we can’t change it," parade organizer Tom Kerr told The Sun, adding that moving the parade would be too costly.

Kerr contacted Baltimore City Councilwoman Odette Ramos, whose district includes Hampden, to find a solution, according to a separate Sun report. City officials then assured Kerr they would work on finding security for the parade.

On Monday, organizers were still unclear about the city's plan.

"We have a commitment from the Mayor the parade will go on as scheduled," Ramos told the Sun. "I don’t know who they are reaching out to for resources, but we are doing this."

A spokesperson for the mayor’s office told The Baltimore Banner on Friday the city is working with organizers to find more officers; however, she did not provide a timetable or say when the information will be shared publicly.

A spokesperson for Gov. Larry Hogan said on Twitter that the state will assist if needed. Meanwhile, Kerr told the Banner is thinking about hiring private security.

This year's parade will begin at Falls Road and West Cold Spring Lane, continuing south on Falls Road to West 36th Street. The route then heads east to Chestnut Avenue and then north, ending at West 37th Street.

For more information, visit the parade's website.