'This is a gun-free event': Detroit police chief unveils plans for NFL Draft weekend
Officials in Detroit say prepartions are well in hand as hundreds of thousands of people are expected to come to the Motor City from April 25 - 27 for the NFL Draft.
The three-day event will pack the city's downtown and the message today from police agencies: “we are ready.”
“We will be working together in this effort to make sure the 300,000 plus who come to this area to enjoy the NFL draft are safe and protected,” said Wayne County Sheriff Raphael Washington.
The Detroit Police Department hosted a media conference Thursday to detail some of the plans for the busy weekend.
Those include collaborations between local, city, state and federal police, all of whom will be out in full force next weekend watching for public safety and potential threats.
Nearby police services will be lending staff and resources, like explosive detection dogs, to ensure the massive event is safe and fun for all attendees.
“If somebody's planning just to come down to the draft and be promote chaos or promote drama. If you see it, or you hear about it, say something,” said Jim Deir of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Unit.
Detroit’s Chief of Police James White said not a single officer will be on vacation and is reminding visitors to the festivities that weapons aren’t welcome.
“This is a gun free, weapons free event,” said Chief White.
Metal Detectors will line entrance points to the draft party footprint and police are warning bad actors to stay away.
“We know who the bad actors are and Detroit is not the place for you,” said Deir.
Windsor Police Chief Jason Bellaire said the service is part of the integrated security strategy team but Windsor officers will be staying on the Canadian side of the border.
“People should know that they're free to travel to our city to enjoy the great amenities that Windsor has during this event,” said Chief Bellaire.
Just how many people are planning to take him up on that offer? Police don’t know.
If hotels are any indication, it will be a lot. Windsor lodgings are booked solid and foot traffic will be up, especially on Saturday.
“We do get the spill over the people that come and visit the city. And we know that and we're ready for it,” said Chief Bellaire.
The festivities aren’t limited to Detroit.
The 300 Block of Ouellette Avenue will be closed between University Avenue and Park Street for a Block Party Saturday, April 27 between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.
The party will feature games and football clinics, NFL Alumni special guests, a draft viewing screen, extended patios and a stage featuring performers including the Jody Raffoul Band, Huttch, Nasaan, Daniel Hex and Royce Da 5’9.
“Street closures are something we continually get asked to do. And we absolutely love to do them,” said Chris MacLeod, the chair of the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association.
“Windsor’s NFL Draft activations speak to our city’s incomparable community spirit, as well as our growing profile as a premier event destination,” said MacLeod, noting it will be “off the hook.”
“The NFL Draft Block Party brings together that excitement of football with the best of Windsor’s music scene, is a great way to show off downtown’s dynamism and hospitality, and creates a memorable and unique experience that residents and visitors will be drawn to right here in the heart of the city.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
U.K. prime minister calls national election for July 4
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a national election on Wednesday, naming July 4 as the date for a vote his governing Conservatives are widely expected to lose to the opposition Labour Party after 14 years in power.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.
Fish oil supplements may raise risk of stroke, heart issues, study suggests
As an excellent source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, daily fish oil supplements are a popular way to keep the risk of cardiovascular disease at bay.
Private island on Nova Scotia's South Shore listed for $15.8M
A private island on Nova Scotia’s South Shore has been listed for sale with a $11.5-million USD price tag.
DEVELOPING Blood vial delivery prompts evacuation of Republican headquarters in Washington
The headquarters of the Republican National Committee in Washington, D.C., was briefly evacuated on Wednesday morning after a suspicious package containing two vials of blood was delivered to the building, the police said.
'Happy tears' of victim's sister after prison attack on serial killer Robert Pickton
Cynthia Cardinal said she was 'overwhelmed' with happiness when she received a text message on Monday with the news that serial killer Robert Pickton, who murdered her sister, was attacked in prison. She called it 'karma.'
Montreal photographer captures dramatic Canada goose vs. fox fight on video
A Montreal photographer captured the moment a Canada goose defended itself from a fox at the Botanical Garden.
'On the edge of failing': Most of Canada gets a 'D' on poverty report cards
Poverty and food insecurity have worsened in most of Canada in the past year and most provincial governments aren't doing enough to address the problem, according to a just-released series of report cards.
World's most expensive feather sells at New Zealand auction
A feather from a long-extinct New Zealand bird has set a record after selling for $46,521 NZD (about US$28,400), the auction house handling the sale has said.