Heavy Security At Baltimore's 4th Of July Celebration
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Fourth of July celebrations take over downtown Baltimore, as many come out to celebrate Independence Day.
Amy Yensi explains security was heightened for the night's festivities.
A spectacular showcase of colors and lights takes over the city skyline. The fireworks drawing more than 150,000 spectators to the Inner Harbor for the Fourth of July.
"It's a beautiful day. It's a great day to be out in Baltimore," said Edna Sallah.
Before, during and immediately after the Independence Day celebration, police choppers hover overhead. Hundreds of officers patrol the festivities from every corner.
"We have increased the patrols, we've increased the number of officers that we have in uniform and in plain clothes," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. "We take a lot of time planning the ingress and egress so people can have an orderly entrance into the harbor and exit."
Some in the crowd--not sure what to expect in the first major event downtown since the Freddie Gray riots.
"Because of things that have happened in the past. She actually had a trip scheduled a little while ago that I kind of canceled for her. I didn't think it was time," said Mark Riley.
"I think it's a good opportunity for us to put our smiles back on our face, to get more back to normalcy and to enjoy this wonderful city of Baltimore," said Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts.
Despite the beefed-up security, visitors from near and far put their pride on display.
As officers pay extra attention to the crowd, the crowd pays tribute to tradition.
The extra police presence seems to have paid off. No major incidents happened during the event.
