By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Decatur Police Chief Kevin Gerber called it a “mind-boggling” night.
Decatur Mayor Dan Rickord adamantly vowed that “changes will be made.”
Both were referring to the city’s latest edition of the 100-plus-year-old Callithumpian Parade, which drew a huge crowd Monday night but at same time proved to be a raucous affair.
Youngsters – and some teens and adults – were crowding toward the middle of the street in numerous downtown locations while the parade was going on. They were, of course, seeking candy from those in the parade.
“It was very disheartening to see adults not acting like adults in front of their children,” the chief said.
“Changes need to be made. There were a lot of close calls (children nearly being hit by a parade vehicle),” the mayor added. “Changes will be made.”
Rickord said he received numerous complaints from parade participants about children coming far off the sidewalk.
“It’s the adults (causing the problems), not the kids,” another city official said during the discussion.
“It’s all about the safety of the kids. A piece of candy is not worth an injury or a death – it’s just not,” the mayor exclaimed.
Chief Gerber said some people leaving following the conclusion of the parade were going the wrong way in the new roundabout and ignoring orders from officers.
“It was a mind-boggling night,” he added.
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