Aurora Police Department lacks officers to work pride parade, may not recommend event to go on
Parade organizers announced it would not allow officers to march in parade in full uniform or bring police vehicles
AURORA, Ill. (WLS) -- The Aurora Police Department said it does not have enough officers to provide security at the city's pride parade.
In a release to the media Tuesday, Aurora police said if organizers can't find additional officers from other jurisdictions to provide support, it will not be able to recommend to the city that the event go on.
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The Aurora Pride Parade, set for this Sunday, is a private event and officers have to volunteer their time to work security.
The police department is also undergoing a staffing crisis.
"It really comes to being able to staff that event; we can't in good faith allow an event to go understaffed and make sure there's enough law enforcement there to make sure everybody can be safe," Aurora police spokesman Paris Lewbel said.
The announcement came just days after parade organizers announced it would not allow police officers to march in the parade in full uniform or bring police vehicles.
Parade organizers released a statement in response, saying "we are concerned and disappointed, and we are investigating all options available to us."
According to the police department, parade organizers were made aware of the number of officers required to run the event months ago, and that number has not yet been met.
