TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Police Department and Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said this Gasparilla will go on record as one of the best attended since the pandemic.

The third largest parade in the country kicked off successfully Saturday with the help of security by air, land and sea.

“The most important thing for us is to have everyone’s back,” said Emily Denning, supervisor for the City of Tampa Tactical Dispatch Police Division. “We’re highly trained and we try to simulate all the possible scenarios and we try to talk about anything that could and can go wrong. 

Denning’s team handles emergency communication among the thousands of officers who patrol the Gasparilla parade route.

According to Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, the patrols didn’t just happen by foot. 

“We use the help of almost 50 agencies to come out here and help us keep the waterways safe,” said Sheriff Chronister.

Thousands of officers were on the ground and among the nearly half a million people who took part in the parade.

They answered calls for help over the phone and via text message.

At the Tampa Police and Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Command Center, Officer Troy Combs says law enforcement can view cameras from their helicopters and street cams.

Tampa Interim Police Chief Lee Bercaw says vigilant community members drive the success of such events.

He advised everyone that if they see something, say something.

“It takes everybody to come out here, us, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, local, state, federal partners, but still that’s not enough. We need the eyes and ears of everyone attending the parade,” said Chief Bercaw. 

In what is one of the biggest undertakings for law enforcement, both Chief Bercaw and Sheriff Chronister say they are proud of their deputies and officers.

“It’s a long day for them,” said Chronister. “We couldn’t be more proud of how professional and courteous they are. If you see an officer or deputy, a thank you goes a long way. It makes a smile on their face on a long day.”