Aurora police say not enough officers have been secured for Aurora Pride Parade and it might not go ahead

AURORA, Ill. (CBS) — Aurora police stated Tuesday that not enough officers have been introduced on board to keep up security in the course of the Aurora Pride Parade, and until extra officers are secured quickly, the parade may very well be canceled.

The parade is ready for June 12.

In an announcement, Aurora police Public Information Officer Paris Lewbel stated the Aurora Police Department has been working with the Aurora Pride group and town’s Community Events Division since late January on planning the parade.

The Aurora Pride Parade utilized for a particular occasion allow – which requires Aurora police to work with organizers to develop a public security plan, Lewbel wrote. This entails the police division figuring out what number of officers are wanted.

Aurora police determined the Aurora Pride group can be accountable for retaining officers primarily based on the parade route, the variety of road closures, the dimensions of the parade, the anticipated variety of spectators, and the variety of officers wanted to make sure public security for the occasion, Lewbel wrote. Police determined variety of officers wanted for this year’s parade can be just like the quantity that was wanted the final time a Pride Parade was held in 2019.

Lewbel wrote that when police officers are wanted privately-run particular occasion, the officers are assigned as an additional job exterior their common duties, Lewbel wrote. Extra jobs and additional time are voluntary, and metropolis can not pressure any officers to work for the parade, Lewbel wrote.

As it is, the Aurora Police Department has already been struggling to get officers to work additional time to fill workers shortages, sick calls, and trip time with additional time – whereas additionally guaranteeing there are enough officers on patrol to make sure public security within the metropolis, Lewbel wrote – including that fewer officers need to work additional shifts than  prior to now.

“Over the past few years, we have seen substantial changes with many officers wishing to spend more time with their family and friends and less time volunteering to work beyond their regularly scheduled shifts,” Lewbel wrote. “As a result, we often have trouble hiring overtime shifts to cover our patrol division or for officers to work special events.”

The Aurora Police Department has tried to get enough officers to work the parade for the reason that allow was accepted on May 3, however has not been in a position to take action, Lewbel wrote. Aurora police launched Aurora Pride to different police departments and officers that would step in – however even after this effort, there nonetheless have been not enough officers on board, Lewbel wrote.

Aurora police advised town’s Community Events Division that about 20 extra officers have been nonetheless wanted to make sure security on the parade. If these officers are not secured, Aurora police can not suggest that the parade be held, Lewbel wrote.

The Aurora Pride Parade has already been mired in controversy involving the police division for a separate cause. Organizers for the parade made the choice final month that regulation enforcement officers might take part – however with out weapons, uniforms, or particular person autos.

Parade organizers in late May issued a information launch studying partially, “many members of the community feel uneasy in the presence of official law enforcement vehicles, as well as uniformed officers, due to negative experiences they themselves or someone they know have had.”

The organizers did permit uniformed police officers in the course of the 2018 and 2019 satisfaction parades in Aurora. But they stated in 2022, the local weather has shifted – and group members are extra strained than they have been three years in the past.

As a results of that call, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin stated final week that he would not be collaborating within the parade, and additionally introduced the City of Aurora would not have a float within the parade.

“The impacted officers and the command staff of the Aurora Police Department are not in agreement with this, and I stand with our officers. As a result, I will not participate in this year’s Aurora Pride Parade, as I did in previous years,” Irvin wrote. “Furthermore, I am withdrawing the City of Aurora’s float from the parade, and the Pride Flag Raising Ceremony – initially planned to be held in collaboration with Aurora Pride – will now be presented solely by the City.”

Irvin wrote that the City of Aurora has “worked diligently for years” to strengthen belief between police and the group “without painting Aurora with the broad brush of a national narrative.”

Speaking to CBS 2’s Jackie Kostek final month, Aurora police Sgt. Lee Catavu likewise expressed disappointment. Catavu spearheaded the Aurora Police Department’s LGBTQ+ liaison program and is a member of the LGBTQ+ group himself.

 “I think it’s another opportunity lost, where we can highlight all the positive inroads that the police department have made with all different communities,” he stated.

Catavu says the irony is not lost on him that officers are being advised they will take part – however provided that they conceal who they’re.