Oaks, Derby, Parade Safety and Security Plan Released

LMPD officials have released their safety plans for the Oaks and Derby Day events.  LMPD representatives say that they will be working in conjunction with local and federal groups to ensure that Louisvillians and visitors remain safe during the city’s Kentucky Derby Festival events, at Oaks and Derby at Churchill Downs and throughout Louisville as hundreds of thousands gallop into town to watch the race live or at Derby parties.

In addition to increased police patrols, LMPD will be coordinating sobriety checkpoints and modified traffic patterns to keep the roadways safe and flowing efficiently.  For a list of street closures and no-parking areas during the Pegasus Parade, Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby, visit the LMPD Kentucky Derby Festival Information page.  To further keep roadways safe during all of the racing celebrations, Miller Lite is sponsoring free rides on TARC buses from 6 PM Friday night until 1AM for those needing a designated driver.

Officials will also be making use of cameras along the parade route to monitor the crowd.  Additionally, LMPD is advising those in attendance “if you see something, say something.”

If you plan on heading to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Oaks or Kentucky Derby, you should be aware of what you can and cannot take into the venue.  Lists of permitted and prohibited items are available on the Kentucky Derby website.  A list of permitted and prohibited items is also available on Official Churchill Downs Partner Derby Experiences website, although visitors should be aware that there are some conflicts between the two lists – specifically, on the rules regarding coolers.  Louisville Dispatch staff reached out to the Kentucky Derby communications office and confirmed that the Derby Experiences website has an outdated list that that visitors should adhere to the list below, directly from the Kentucky Derby site:

Items Permitted on Kentucky Derby and Oaks Days

• Food items in clear plastic bags (maximum size 18” X 18” – no trash bags)*
• “Box” lunches in clear plastic bags or containers (maximum size 18” X 18” – no trash bags)
• Water and soft drinks – plastic bottles only (sealed, clear and unopened)
• Purses, but none larger than 12” in any dimension (subject to search)
• Baby/diaper bags – only if accompanied by a child (subject to search)
• Small cameras – none equipped with detachable lenses or lenses of 6” or more **
• Binoculars
• Sunscreen (non-glass containers only)
• Small personal music systems, radios and televisions** (No boom boxes)
• Cellular phones, smartphones and tablets**
• Seat cushions (without back)
• Strollers (ONLY if carrying a child)
• Chairs (Gate 3 ONLY)
• Blankets & tarpaulins (Gates 1 & 3 ONLY)

* Limit of two bags per person ** Patrons could be required to turn on electronic items

Kentucky Derby – Photo: Sayeth

Items Banned on Kentucky Derby and Oaks Days

• COOLERS (Styrofoam coolers, ice available at infield purchase points)
• CANS (any size or type), glass bottles or containers
• POP UP OR PATRON TENTS – no poles or stakes of any kind
• Laptop Computers and Camcorders
• Cameras with detachable lenses, or equipped with a lens that is 6” or longer
• Tripods
• Purses larger than 12” in any dimension
• Grills
• Alcoholic beverages
• Thermoses
• Backpacks
• Luggage (includes briefcases)
• Duffel bags
• Wagons
• Umbrellas
• Weapons (including knives)
• Fireworks, noisemakers, air horns, laser lights/pointers, mace or pepper sprays