NYC police calls for shorter parades, meaning world-famous Macy’s event could be trimmed
By APMonday, February 22, 2010
Cutbacks could shorten Thanksgiving parade in NYC
NEW YORK — New York City cutbacks could mean less of the world-famous balloons and floats at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Police said Monday that the city’s parade organizers need to shorten their parade routes 25 percent and the parades must be kept under five hours.
The police department says the goal is to reduce costs associated with planned events. The department is trying to avoid cuts in necessary services and expects the move to save $3.1 million.
The changes go into effect April 1. It wasn’t immediately clear how the city’s many parades would be affected.
Macy’s spokesman Orlando Veras says parade organizers are working with police to figure out how the new rules will affect the popular Thanksgiving parade’s route.
