Photo: James Rojas/ WBZ NewsRadio
SALEM, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Security will be top of mind as thousands of people gather in Salem for its Pride festivities Saturday.
"It's no secret that members of the LGBTQ community do feel particularly vulnerable this year," Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller said. "So I feel that it's our job to do what we can to make them feel less vulnerable."
Police expect about 30,000 people to attend the celebrations, which include a noon parade starting at Shetland Park and a festival on Salem Common. Miller said keeping cars away from the crowds is a top priority.
"Our ability to protect them from vehicles is pretty good, but in an old city with alleyways and driveways, complete separation from automobiles is very, very difficult," Miller said.
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The Salem Police Department will increase the number of officers working Saturday by roughly double and install barricades to keep cars away from pedestrians.
But even with those precautions, Miller said it's up to attendees to help keep themselves safe.
"We will do our best, but that means people still need to keep their wits about them," Miller said.
WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.