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When Kansas City residents gather on Thursday to celebrate Independence Day at the Stars and Stripes Picnic and fireworks display at the Liberty Memorial, it will have been less than five months since a mass shooting occurred during a Super Bowl victory rally at nearby Union Station.
After the shooting, many questions remained unanswered about what Kansas City police did to keep the Chiefs parade and rally safe.
What about security during the event on Thursday, July 4?
A security official reached by phone Thursday at the National WWI Museum and Memorial, where the event is taking place, said there would be 40 to 50 security officers on site. Kansas City Police Department spokesman Capt. Jake Becchina added that 13 of them will be KCPD officers and that more are in the area who can respond if needed.
The museum official, who declined to be named, said security would include a mix of KCPD officers, museum security personnel and private security guards from Allied Universal, a Kansas City-based security firm. He added that a security tent would likely be set up on the southeast lawn of the monument.
Are firearms allowed?
When asked about the rules surrounding firearms, the official said officers will not check attendees’ bags and that openly carrying firearms is allowed in Kansas City.
“You are allowed to carry firearms,” the official said. “We don’t encourage it, but if we see it, we will report it to the Kansas City Police Department and they will investigate.”
Becchina added that there will also be a KCPD presence in the area.
“We have officers on duty in that area who are ready to respond to any issues that may arise to ensure everyone’s safety,” he told The Star via email.
An event map from the National WWI Museum and Memorial shows two first aid tents on the grounds: one just east of the museum, which will be closed during the event, and one at the southwest entrances to the event on Memorial Drive.
Other attractions at the event include a rock climbing wall, local vendors, food trucks, and the 9:35 p.m. fireworks display. The North Lawn and the monument itself will be closed to visitors for the duration of the event, as the fireworks will be launched from the North Lawn, just across from Union Station. Visitors can view them from anywhere south of the monument.
Have more questions about security at major events in Kansas City? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
