SBSO TO LEAD IRISH ITALIAN ISLENOS PARADE, WITH UPDATES ON SOCIAL MEDIA, STREAMING ON YOUTUBE
Thanks to the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, parade-goers will have access to parade updates for the 2023 St. Bernard Irish Italian Islenos Parade set to roll Saturday, April 1 at noon in Chalmette. Walkers will set off at 11 a.m.
St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann said the department’s Mobile Emergency Operations Center will lead the parade, posting regular location updates on the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page along the way. The parade also will be streamed live on the Sheriff’s Office YouTube Channel.
A link to the YouTube Channel will be posted on the SBSO Facebook page on Saturday before the start of the parade.
Manned by Maj. Angela Huff and Lt. Darren Trandacosta, the department’s mobile command unit will essentially control the running of the parade by coordinating closures of main cross streets as the parade approaches and making adjustments in the speed of the procession.
While Lt. Trandacosta is driving, Maj. Huff will take care of the social media updates, including posting information about delays and photos from along the route. A camera mounted to the mobile command unit will provide the live YouTube streaming.
Capt. Michael Ingargiola, director of Fleet Operations for the Sheriff’s Office, said throughout the duration of the parade Maj. Huff and Lt. Trandacosta will communicate with deputies along the route who will keep them informed of any circumstances that may affect the parade’s flow, including tractor breakdowns or any other mishaps.
Capt. Ingargiola said utilizing the unit and technology helps provide relief for the Sheriff’s Office Radio Room, or 911 Center, during parades.
“Thanks to the use of social media, we can post information on our Facebook account to help alleviate the number of calls we get in the 911 Center that tie up our lines and prevent more important calls from coming through,” he said.
This year’s Irish Italian Islenos parade, featuring riders on nearly 50 floats throwing 300,000 pounds of produce, will follow the traditional route, beginning and ending at the Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center, 8245 W. Judge Perez Drive. There also will be several dozen marching units.
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