Security, Parking Tightened for Edgartown Fourth of July

The Boston Marathon bombings April 15 have spurred the Edgartown Police Department to tighten security and parking rules for the July 4 parade and fireworks.

Parking along the parade route (see map) will be banned starting at 3 p.m., said police chief Tony Bettencourt.

According to an announcement from the police department:

The parade route (see map) will be closed to traffic at 4:15pm sharp.

There will be no parking for any vehicles one block off the parade route and no parking signs will be clearly posted. Any vehicle within the parade route and the perimeter will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Any unattended bags, coolers, and other personal belongings left along the parade route will be removed immediately by law enforcement personnel.

Handicap parking for the parade will be located on Upper Main Street, adjacent to Cannonball Park.  The Police officer located at the intersection of Upper Main Street and Cooke Street will be able to assist you with parking.

Handicap parking for the fireworks show will be provided in the yacht club parking lot at the foot of Main Street and will only be accessible after 7pm. Please have your handicap placard visible to the officers at the Main Street and North Water Street intersection.

Main Street will reopen to traffic at the end of the parade; however North Water Street and streets adjacent to it will remain closed to traffic until the conclusion of the fireworks.

There will be parking at the town parking lot on Dark Woods Road, with trolley service to the downtown area. The trolley stop and taxi parking will be located on South Water Street just off Main Street, beginning at 7pm and lasting until after the fireworks show.

In brief you can expect traffic delays and closures beginning at 3pm on July 4th and lasting until approximately 11pm, so please arrive early.

The Edgartown Police encourage all citizens to be vigilant and report any activity they believe to be suspicious. To report any information please call the Edgartown Police Tip Line at 774-310-1190, or if you feel it is an immediate emergency please call 911.

Source: edgartownpolice.org

Are you planning to attend the parade this year? Are you worried about security? Tell us in the comments.

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