Police and fire chiefs disclose Fourth of July safety preparations [Video]

ST. LOUIS – Chief Robert Tracy and Chief Dennis Jenkerson held a news conference to discuss safety plans for the July 4 parade.

Chief Tracy said the message to any possible protestors is clear.

“Getting onto a parade site and jumping over fences is trespassing,” he said.

Just days after the city’s Pride parade, where 19 protestors were arrested, police are anticipating another round of protests.

“We have gathered intelligence to suggest protestors may attempt to disrupt the parade on Thursday using a so-called sleeping dragon tactic,” Chief Tracy said.

It is the same tactic used during the Pride parade, where protestors link together with pieces of PVC pipe.

LIST: These St. Louis-area Fourth of July events are postponed due to weather

Chief Jenkerson said they’ll have firefighters on site ready.

“They’re called cut teams. There’s different methods that we use based on what type of device protestors are bringing,” he said.

Both Jenkerson and Tracy are asking for …