Police Chief Andy Mills detailed the multiple, concrete changes implemented to ensure the safety of attendees at the Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade, and for all future high-profile events. The primary changes focus on supervisory structure and policy:
Reduced Span of Control: The ratio of officers to supervisors has been reduced to ensure more than adequate coverage and supervision. This change is designed to ensure that any deviation from protocol—such as the "riding" done by some officers last year—is dealt with immediately, rather than after the fact.
Policy Change: The department's policy has been changed to clarify that the officers' role is to provide public safety, not to entertain.
Special Events Staffing: The Special Events team is receiving additional staffing, including the assignment of a senior-level manager to ensure proper planning and closer supervision for all of the city's numerous high-profile events.
In addition to internal administrative and policy changes, the city has implemented significant security measures along the parade route itself:
Meridian Barricades: Physical Meridian barricades will be in place to better control the crowd and environment.
Drone Coverage: There will be drone coverage over the entire parade route, adding a layer of technological oversight for security and threat monitoring.
Chief Mills emphasized that these changes were the result of an "all hands on deck" review of what went wrong, with the goal that the tragedy should "never happen again." He confirmed that all the mentioned changes are already in place as the city faces an ongoing lawsuit related to last year's incident.
By: NBC Palm Springs
December 5, 2025
