Strict Security Plans For North Shore Pride Parade And Festival

SALEM, MA — Salem police and city officials are advising attendees of Saturday's North Shore Pride Parade and Festival that stricter road shutdowns and enhanced security precautions will be in place in the wake of recent attacks during public events nationwide.

The parade will be held on Saturday with roads along the route shut down beginning at 10 a.m.

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The parade starts at Shetland Park and proceeds to Congress Street, left to Derby Street and right to Central Street. Central to Front, Front to Washington, right to Washington and right to Essex Street. Essex Street to Washington Square West and on into Salem Common.

Security will be especially stringent along the parade road.

"We apologize for any inconvenience these road closures and security enhancements may pose," officials said.

Members of the public should notify law enforcement should they observe any suspicious or unusual activity. For non-emergency concerns, and call the Salem Police Department non-emergency line at (978) 744-1212. In an emergency, dial 9-1-1.

Indicators of Suspicious Activity Requiring Immediate Attention:

*Unattended or abandoned backpacks, packages, or briefcases that may contain explosives (or packages that are hastily left behind or suspiciously placed);
*Suspicious presence of items that could be used to construct an explosive device, including hydrogen peroxide, acetone, gasoline, propane or fertilizer;
*Suspicious, unfamiliar vehicles/trucks that seem out-of-place or abandoned near the event;
*Suspicious use of drones, cameras or video recorders, sketching, or note-taking consistent with pre-operational surveillance;
*Unusual or prolonged interest in security practices relating to the event;
*Suspicious loitering, vandalism, or unusual activities in proximity to the event location and event date;
*Attempted or unauthorized access to rooftops.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)