Park police work with all downtown businesses to keep events running as safe and smooth as possible.
SAN ANTONIO — The party with a purpose is in full swing across San Antonio, and especially downtown where multiple Fiesta events will take place over the next week and a half. And law enforcement all over town will be out in force making sure your Fiesta is packed with pleasure instead of problems.
Fiesta is now underway and San Antonio Park Police say they are ready to keep you safe, not just on land, but also on the water.
“We maintain and and the safety of all our city parks, but the River Walk is one of the parks,” said Sgt. Gloria Flores. “And as you can see we give directions, we give suggestions, and we just keep the area safe.”
Safe, not just for tourists lining the river taking pictures, locals going for a morning stroll, or visitors in town for Fiesta, but the ducks too.
“They’ll get the tortilla chips or people will tear them and give them to them,” said Flores.
This is just one of the many ways Park Police patrol the river more than 15 feet below street level, going under the many bridges from Market Street, to Alamo Street, and the Commerce Street bridge with all of the street action above.
Flores says having these boats during Fiesta crowds and congestion is a must.
“It can be an emergency where a chair fell in the river or somebody having a medical emergency. We’ve got to get to them as fast as possible,” she said.
She stresses working with partners like Centro who keep the area clean, as well as the many restaurants lining the river with Fiesta decor, goes a long way to keep the river rocking, but not too hard.
“We have to work together to know what’s going to be happening on in the city, what conventions are going to be coming up, and what we can do to help them find good choices,” Flores said.
If you see a park police officer in and around events downtown, don’t be afraid to ask them questions if there’s something you need to know.
“So we can let them know, ‘Hey, this is a bridge you can cross over.’ Maybe they have a wheelchair or a stroller. What’s the best avenue to cross the river,” Flores added.
San Antonio Park Police also say to take a picture of where you park your car so you can remember where you need to find it.