With thousands of people coming into Ironton to watch the Ironton-Lawrence County Memorial Day Parade, Police Chief Pam Wagner said her department would be doing their best to keep things safe.

“With this being our 150th parade, we are expecting a larger than normal crowd,” she said. “We want to encourage everyone who possibly can to car pool.”

She said the parade route will be as normal but the routes out of town have been changed.

“There will be a new route to exit after the parade,” Wagner said. “We are going to shut down Park Avenue to get most of the big vehicles out. The exit route will be north and south Second Street. As soon as the parade is over, Third Street will be open. Park Avenue will not be opened until all the parade is completed.”

Wagner reminded everyone to not leave valuables in their cars and to make sure their cars are locked up, since the department sees a spike in car thefts during the Memorial Day Parade.

“Usually, we do,” she said, adding that all IPD officers will be on duty and on patrol, in marked and unmarked cars.

She said that thieves target vehicles looking for electronics and other things.

“iPads, phones, change, any kind of cash, credit cards,” she said, adding it is best not to leave purses or back packs in a vehicle. “Thieves are looking for personal information, like driver’s licenses and Social Security cards.”

Wagner said people attending the parade should lock up their houses and have a neighbor or a trusted person watch their house while they are gone.

“And we are asking businesses with cameras to have those on during the parade,” Wagner said. “And if you see something, say something. Call 911 or the sheriff’s office at 740-532-3525.”