04-04-2025
Detroit police, fire will be out making sure Detroit Tigers' Opening Day is a safe one
Detroit police, fire will be out making sure Detroit Tigers' Opening Day is a safe one
Detroit Tigers fans, it's Opening Day!
Whether you're planning to come to downtown Detroit for the baseball game or just to hang out with fellow fans in public and private spaces, Detroit police and fire representatives say they are prepared to keep the area — and your experience — a safe one.
Advertisement
Hundreds of thousands of people, including some from other states, are expected to be in and around Comerica Park, with folks starting to file in as early as 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. Friday for the annual tradition, authorities say.
Detroit Assistant Police Chief Franklin Hayes speaks April 4, 2025, about safety for Detroit Tigers' Opening Day in Grand Circus Park. He is flanked by Fire Prevention Chief Dennis Hunter of the Detroit Fire Department's Fire Marshal Division, left, and Detroit Police Capt. Nate Duda.
Eric Larson, CEO of the Downtown Detroit Partnership, said last year there was a 4% increase in attendance for Opening Day over 2023, and he believes that number will be exceeded this year.
While it's hard to put a direct economic impact number on Opening Day, he said, events such as the Detroit Grand Prix, a three-day event, has about $75 million of economic impact and $135 million of regional economic impact. Plus, there is repeat business to bars and restaurants, adding "it's hundreds of millions of dollars that these events represent to our local community, to our small businesses and to those who are investing in the city."
Advertisement
Detroit Assistant Police Chief Franklin Hayes said Thursday that authorities have a comprehensive safety plan that will be "highly visual" and have officers present throughout the city, including in neighborhoods, as well as with "members that you cannot see, just to ensure the safety of all."
"We will have more than enough first responders out here in these public spaces to ensure that everyone has a great day, a great Opening Day," he said during a news conference in Grand Circus Park, the site of Detroit's official Opening Day party, just steps away from the ballpark.
Fire Prevention Chief Dennis Hunter, of Detroit Fire Department's Fire Marshal Division, said teams of two will be out conducting fire safety sweeps at bars, restaurants and outdoor venues looking for proper permitting, extinguishers, propane being secured and cooking equipment, which should be inspected.
He said to make sure tents at outdoor venues are up properly and exits are marked properly. He told restaurants and other outdoor locations to "comply with your capacity levels. The capacity cards are there for a reason. If it's 200, we ask business owners to stay within that 200. Our goal is to work with the business owners and make sure that everyone has a great time for (the) Detroit Tigers' home opening."
Advertisement
If a location is over capacity, authorities said, the owners will be asked to escort out some patrons and not invite others in, getting the number down to what it's supposed to be. If someone sees overcrowding at a location, Hunter said they can call 313-596-2954.
He reminded visitors there are no barbecue grills allowed on public ways or public property and any cooking is to be done outside of tents, not under them. If you are caught grilling, he said, "we'll politely remind you that you can't do it." Other enforcement action could be a misdemeanor citation with a fine of $500, he said.
Hayes said authorities don't want visitors to be a victims of predatory behavior and will be looking out for folks being charged by a person — versus parking meters — to park on streets; scalping; counterfeit merchandise, and providing alcohol illegally or to minors.
Hayes reminded visitors intending to carry weapons to be mindful of concealed carry regulations and that there are weapons-free zones. He said he doesn't see a need for people to carry a firearm. Larson said metal detectors will be at the event at Grand Circus Park, and public parks are weapons-free areas.
Advertisement
Authorities also encouraged visitors to drink responsibly and to take public transportation or ride shares if they choose to consume alcohol.
Contact Christina Hall: chall@ Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press.
Submit a letter to the editor at
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit police, fire will make sure Tigers' Opening Day is safe
