Latest news with #KerrieBlizard
CBC
15 hours ago
- CBC
Vehicle mitigation measures, overhead drones aimed to keep Calgary Stampede safe
Police and organizers say they're confident security measures at the upcoming Calgary Stampede would prevent a vehicle attack like the deadly one at the Lapu Lapu Day celebration in Vancouver earlier this year. More than 1.3 million people are expected to attend the 10-day rodeo and exhibition, which begins with a parade on Friday. The Stampede grounds will be temporarily turned into a police district with a headquarters, incident commander, dispatcher and officers from across the city. And vehicle access to the grounds will be extremely limited, said Kerrie Blizard, director of public safety and environment at the Stampede. "We're always making changes ... at the entrances specifically. We've actually been utilizing vehicle mitigation barriers and strategies since before 2019," Blizard told a news conference Wednesday. Eleven people were killed and nearly 30 were injured in April when an SUV rammed into Vancouver's crowded Lapu Lapu street festival celebrating the Filipino-Canadian community. The man accused in that attack, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, faces several counts of second-degree murder. Acting Insp. Scott Campbell, incident commander at the Stampede, said plenty of officers will be monitoring the parade route as well as the grounds. A vehicle attack is unlikely, he said. "There aren't going to be any vehicles. There's good vehicle mitigation and we don't expect any issues on that," Campbell said. "District 1 surrounds the Stampede grounds, and District 1 is going to be fully staffed during Stampede to respond to any events in the downtown core and in the grounds." Campbell said the public is urged to report any suspicious activity, including bags left unattended. Police will also be using new drones that were purchased for the recent G7 leaders' summit in nearby Kananaskis, he said. Drone use, other than by officers, will not be allowed in the downtown. "Large events are a challenge for the police but we're used to planning for these large events every year, including our recent experience with G7. And we are confident we'll be ready for Stampede." He said the biggest concerns for police will be people partying too much, thefts and drugs. The Stampede runs July 4 to July 13.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Stampede safety measures announced
First responders are planning strategies for visitors to cope with the crowds, crime and weather, which can all be factors at the Calgary Stampede. Emergency officials say they want this year's Calgary Stampede to go off without a hitch as a safe event for everyone. First responders say they have planned for the crowds, crime, and weather; which can all be unpredictable. As with previous years, there will be metal detectors and bag searches by security teams at entrance gates. 'If you wouldn't bring it on an airplane, don't bring it to Stampede,' said Kerrie Blizard, director of public safety and environment with the Calgary Stampede. Drones New this year: Calgary police will be flying drones over the crowds. The drones are a carry-over from the G7 Summit that took place in Kananaskis Country in June 'We will be flying the drones to monitor overhead just like we would with the helicopter,' said Staff Sgt. Scott Campbell, Stampede incident commander, Calgary Police Service. 'During Stampede, (we) actually turn the Stampede Grounds into a ninth district, including an incident commander, our own dispatch, our own ops centre, and staff it with members from across the service,' Campbell added. Personal drones cannot be flown downtown during Stampede. Violators could be fined up to $3,000. Safety set-up Anti-ramming barricades -- also known as bollards --have been installed to deter vehicles from driving onto the grounds. Extreme weather is also a top concern for Stampede officials. 'We have a number of weather monitoring systems including lightning detection, wind detection, (and) air quality monitoring,' said Blizard. The huge crowds that gather at Stampede can make July weather feel even hotter than it already is. Blizard is reminding attendees to keep hydrated, and cool down indoors if need be. The Calgary Emergency Management Agency is prepared for extreme weather, and advises Stampede visitors to keep smart devices charged -- either to call for help or to get up to date emergency alerts. An estimated 1.3 million people are expected over the course of the 10 days.
Global News
2 days ago
- Global News
Calgary Stampede security plan to include overhead drones, vehicle mitigation measures
Police and organizers say they're confident security measures at the upcoming Calgary Stampede would prevent a vehicle attack like the deadly one at the Lapu Lapu Day celebration in Vancouver earlier this year. More than 1.3 million people are expected to attend the 10-day rodeo and exhibition, which begins with a parade on Friday. The Stampede grounds will be temporarily turned into a police district with a headquarters, incident commander, dispatcher and officers from across the city. And vehicle access to the grounds will be extremely limited, said Kerrie Blizard, director of public safety and environment at the Stampede. 'We're always making changes … at the entrances specifically. We've actually been utilizing vehicle mitigation barriers and strategies since before 2019,' Blizard told a news conference Wednesday. Eleven people were killed and nearly 30 were injured in April when an SUV rammed into Vancouver's crowded Lapu Lapu street festival celebrating the Filipino-Canadian community. Story continues below advertisement The man accused in that attack, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, faces several counts of second-degree murder. Acting Insp. Scott Campbell, incident commander at the Stampede, said plenty of officers will be monitoring the parade route as well as the grounds. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy A vehicle attack is unlikely, he said. 'There aren't going to be any vehicles. There's good vehicle mitigation and we don't expect any issues on that,' Campbell said. 'District 1 surrounds the Stampede grounds, and District 1 is going to be fully staffed during Stampede to respond to any events in the downtown core and in the grounds.' Campbell said the public is urged to report any suspicious activity, including bags left unattended. Story continues below advertisement Police will also be using new drones that were purchased for the recent G7 leaders' summit in nearby Kananaskis, he said. Drone use, other than by officers, will not be allowed in the downtown. 'Large events are a challenge for the police but we're used to planning for these large events every year, including our recent experience with G7. And we are confident we'll be ready for Stampede.' He said the biggest concerns for police will be people partying too much, thefts and drugs. The Stampede runs to July 13.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Vehicle mitigation measures, overhead drones aimed to keep Calgary Stampede safe
CALGARY – Police and organizers say they're confident security measures at the upcoming Calgary Stampede would prevent a vehicle attack like the deadly one at the Lapu Lapu Day celebration in Vancouver earlier this year. More than 1.3 million people are expected to attend the 10-day rodeo and exhibition, which begins with a parade on Friday. The Stampede grounds will be temporarily turned into a police district with a headquarters, incident commander, dispatcher and officers from across the city. And vehicle access to the grounds will be extremely limited, said Kerrie Blizard, director of public safety and environment at the Stampede. 'We're always making changes … at the entrances specifically. We've actually been utilizing vehicle mitigation barriers and strategies since before 2019,' Blizard told a news conference Wednesday. Eleven people were killed and nearly 30 were injured in April when an SUV rammed into Vancouver's crowded Lapu Lapu street festival celebrating the Filipino-Canadian community. The man accused in that attack, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, faces several counts of second-degree murder. Acting Insp. Scott Campbell, incident commander at the Stampede, said plenty of officers will be monitoring the parade route as well as the grounds. A vehicle attack is unlikely, he said. 'There aren't going to be any vehicles. There's good vehicle mitigation and we don't expect any issues on that,' Campbell said. 'District 1 surrounds the Stampede grounds, and District 1 is going to be fully staffed during Stampede to respond to any events in the downtown core and in the grounds.' Campbell said the public is urged to report any suspicious activity, including bags left unattended. Police will also be using new drones that were purchased for the recent G7 leaders' summit in nearby Kananaskis, he said. Drone use, other than by officers, will not be allowed in the downtown. 'Large events are a challenge for the police but we're used to planning for these large events every year, including our recent experience with G7. And we are confident we'll be ready for Stampede.' He said the biggest concerns for police will be people partying too much, thefts and drugs. The Stampede runs to July 13. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 2, 2025.
