Surrey’s annual Vaisakhi parade is massive — so massive that police warn about how often kids and seniors go missing during the event, considered the largest such parade in North America.
Dozens of incidents of missing children or seniors are reported to Surrey RCMP every year, prompting police to urge families to have a safety plan in Newton this Saturday, April 20.
Planners of the Khalsa Day “nagar kirtan” anticipate up to 700,000 people to flood the neighbourhood from morning until late afternoon, with a number of street closures in the area.
“Having a plan in place with your family and friends prior to the event can be very helpful to ensure everyone stays safe throughout the celebration,” Surrey Mounties suggest in a news release.
“With the large crowds, it can be easy for people to become separated from their group.”
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Suggested safety plans from the Surrey RCMP:
• Take a family photo before you leave the house to help locate someone if needed;
• Familiarize family members with their surroundings and have a pre-planned meeting place;
• Give family members some form of identification and your contact information;
• Keep a current photo of your child on you in case you need to describe them to police;
• Keep your children within eyesight at all times;
• If a family member goes missing, notify the nearest police officer;
• If you live in the area that has been closed to traffic, have your driver’s license with current address to provide to police at check points in order to get to your residence.
• RELATED: Food free for all at Surrey’s Vaisakhi parade on Saturday, April 20.
The parade travels from Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar (Sikh temple, 12885 85 Ave.) along 124 Street to 75 Avenue, along 76 Avenue and then on 128 Street before returning to the temple. Road closures are planned from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 20. Details are posted on surrey.ca/news-events/events/vaisakhi-parade and also surreyvaisakhiparade.com.
The parade is “No Drone Zone,” according to Transport Canada rules that prohibit flying drones close to people, buildings and areas where aircraft take off and land (airport, heliports, aerodromes). Rule-breakers can be fined up to $3,000.