Pasadena Rose Parade 2016: Security added after San Bernardino attack

Authorities in Pasadena Tuesday announced they’re beefing up security--and restrictions-- at the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl in the wake of this month's terrorist attack in San Bernardino that killed 14 people.

“Recent events at home and abroad have put added attention on the safety efforts,” Pasadena Assistant City Manager Steve Mermell said at a City Hall news conference.

More than 700,000 people are expected to attend the parade January 1.

The extra security includes more rapid response teams stationed along the parade route “to mitigate a known or perceived threat,” said Pasadena Police Chief Phillip Sanchez.

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The teams include officers from Pasadena, the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and U.S. Department of Homeland Security, he said.  Sanchez would not give specifics on the number of teams or their size.

The federal government already had designated the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl a top security concern, according to DHS Special Agent Mark Selby.  That prompted the installation of temporary cameras along the parade route to provide “a surveillance capability unmatched in the city’s history.”

The San Bernardino attack triggered more resources, Selby said.

“We added extra personnel – dozens and dozens,” he said.

Selby is leading the federal security effort.

While he stressed there is no specific and credible threat to the Rose Parade, a substantial operation is underway in Pasadena.

“On New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, federal personnel will be employing a variety of explosive-detection methods, as well as at key venue across the city,” he said. The operation will include bomb-sniffing dogs and devices that register “even minute amounts of radiation.”

As they do often, officials encouraged people to report anything suspicious.

Part of the fun may be lost with the extra security. Sanchez said officers will discourage the longstanding tradition of throwing marshmallows and silly string onto the parade route. It'll also be a "no-drone zone."

The city has issued its annual list of do's and don'ts for the Rose Parade:

What You Can Do:  

• Overnight camping is permitted only on the night of Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2015. 
• A position on the sidewalk may be maintained along the parade route beginning at Noon Dec. 31, 2015.  All persons and property, such as blankets, chairs and personal items, must remain on the curb until 11 p.m.  At that time, spectators may move out to the blue “Honor Line” but not past it. 
• Minors under the age of 18 may be on the parade route from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. only if they are supervised by an adult. 

What You Can’t Do: 

• Tents, sofas and boxes of any type that can be used as stools or seats are prohibited along the route. 
• Unoccupied chairs are not allowed and will be removed from the parade route. 
• No items may be sold along the parade route without a City permit. 
• Pets are not recommended along the parade; keep them safe at home! 
• Open containers of alcohol are illegal on public streets, sidewalks and all other public areas.  Violators may be cited or arrested. 
• Throwing any object into the parade; or at passing vehicles or pedestrians the night before the parade is dangerous and prohibited.  Violators can be cited and property seized. 

For a complete list of what's allowed along the Rose Parade route, go to the Pasadena City website.