Winnipeg Jets fans feel safe at first whiteout street party since tragedy in Vancouver
Mayor says similar vehicle attack ‘impossible’ due to barriers, other security measures
Winnipeg's dusty spring streets were bright white on Wednesday as thousands of fans flocked to the whiteout street party ahead of Game 5 in the Jets' first-round playoff series against the St. Louis Blues.
Splashes of highlighter yellow moved through the white-clad crowd as police officers wearing fluorescent safety vests patrolled between buses, fences and safety barricades.
Wednesday's sold-out whiteout street party was the first since 11 people were killed when a driver tore through the crowd at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival in Vancouver over the weekend.
"We're praying for them and the families and my heart goes out to them. I've got four children and I don't know what I would do if one of my kids were hurt," said AJ Bartel, who told CBC he felt safe attending the whiteout party.
"Hopefully that never happens here in Winnipeg," he said.
On Monday, Mayor Scott Gillingham said a vehicle attack like the one in Vancouver would be "impossible" at a whiteout street party.
"We have barricades up, we have trucks blocking the way, we have police and other security teams all in the area monitoring … that the whiteout parties are safe," said Gillingham.
On Wednesday, a spokesperson for True North Sports and Entertainment told CBC News that strong safety measures were already in place but "an event such as the tragedy in Vancouver does trigger a review."
"Minor adjustments have been made to the placement of the large vehicles and obstructions that block all road and sidewalk access to the site, but overall, our existing and robust measures remain in place," the statement said.
Outside the Canada Life Centre, Jets fans told CBC they felt comfortable gathering to cheer on their team Wednesday night.
"With the police presence and all the barricades put up, and trucks and buses barricading the areas, keeping us safe, it really makes things better for us here," said Bartel.
"I feel that this is a really safe area. The police are everywhere, I feel really good here," said Marne Guenther.
Fans snapped up all 5,000 available tickets for the street party, which Charlene Turcotte — who was dressed in a polar bear costume at the party —- said "speaks for itself."
"I think there's lots of people out here that are keeping us safe.… Thank you City of Winnipeg and Jets for making sure it's a safe place for everyone," she said.
With files from Gavin Axelrod and Stephen Ripley