Chief Dewayne White and the Baton Rouge Police Department are offering the following tips and information to help citizens enjoy a safe 4^th of July holiday weekend:

• Fireworks are illegal everywhere in the city of Baton Rouge, as well as all of East Baton Rouge Parish, and will be confiscated if found. Violators could also face criminal charges.
• Law enforcement will strictly enforce the law against anyone found firing a gun into the air.
• Patrols will be actively looking for drunk or impaired drivers on roadways across the city.

As far as the downtown 4^th of July event and fireworks display:

• Anyone coming downtown for the official fireworks show is encouraged to arrive early and not wait until the last minute. Downtown interstate exit ramps may be closed off if traffic backs up onto the freeway. The big fireworks show begins at 9pm but there are many other activities to enjoy prior to the show.
• Parking should be plentiful but motorists should be mindful that there continue to be several construction projects and temporary road blockages downtown, especially along North Blvd.
• No ice chests, BBQ pits, tents, or pets will be allowed to be brought into the festival grounds.
• Well over 100 law enforcement personnel will be specifically assigned to the downtown area on Sunday in addition to regular patrols. BRPD presence will also be supplemented by personnel from the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, Baton Rouge City Constable, Louisiana Department of Corrections and Louisiana Department of Public Safety.
• In addition to highly visible uniformed officers, there will also be many plainclothes officers who will be blending in with the crowds.
• Police will use officers on foot, bicycles and horse mounted patrols, as well as aerial helicopter surveillance.
• Technology will be utilized to supplement officers, including fixed and mobile cameras, microphones and night-vision equipment.
• The Sheriff and Constable are making every effort to make jail space available to facilitate a “zero tolerance” policy for criminal activity. This means officers can arrest and book anyone jeopardizing public safety downtown, even for misdemeanor offenses.
• Groups will not be allowed to loiter or gather after the fireworks show ends. Officers will actively assist in helping clear the area as quickly as possible once the fireworks display concludes.
• There will be a large police presence dispersed throughout the downtown area and Mobile Command Posts will be parked and manned on River Road. Citizens should not hesitate to notify law enforcement immediately if they see or hear anything suspicious or that might indicate a potential problem is brewing.