South Tidewater News

Miracle on High Street Parade Sequence of Events

Miracle on High Street Parade sequence of events

On July 29, 2022. The city received Daquan Crawford’s application for the “Miracle on High Street Parade,” to be held on December 17, 2022.  

August 3, 2022. The event application was emailed to the regular routing list of city department staff, Commissioner of the Revenue staff, and Portsmouth Health Department staff. 

August 16, 2022.   No objections from the routing lists contacts were identified, and an approval letter was sent to the applicant.

The application and approval letter were for the use of city streets and the water street parking lot for a Christmas parade.  

November 14, 2022. Portsmouth Police Department staff emailed a letter to Parks and Recreation staff stating that the police would not support the use of officers to work the event due to Mr. Crawford's history of non-compliance with previous city licenses, other permits and legal matters. 

December 1, 2022. Parks and Recreation staff emailed the City Manager’s Office and the City Attorney’s Office to inform them of this development. The email identified several safety concerns about holding an event like this without police involvement.  

December 8, 2022. Parks and Recreation staff received confirmation from the City Manager’s Office that the parade would pose a serious safety concern without police assistance. 

December 8, 2022.  Parks and Recreation called Mr. Crawford to confirm that he was aware that the police would not be able to support the event and to inquire about his plans. 

During the conversation, Mr. Crawford stated that the police also reached out to him, and he was aware that they would not be able to assist. 

When asked about his plans moving forward, Mr. Crawford stated that he would cancel the parade and only plan to give away toys. 

Since the toy giveaway was not part of the application he submitted, Parks and Recreation staff inquired if he planned to use city property for the toy giveaway.   He stated “no” that he would not be using city property.  

December 8, 2022. Parks and Recreation staff sent an email to the routing list stating that the event had been canceled.  Parks and Recreation staff also followed up with Mr. Crawford via email, summarizing the phone conversation.  This email was also shared with the City Attorney’s Office. 

December 17, 2022. Parks and Recreation staff received notice that the event organizer, Mr. Crawford, was set up for his event, including the floats for the canceled parade. The police asked Mr. Crawford about his intent, and he told them he had a permit to have

his parade and that the Portsmouth Sheriff's Office would handle the

escort.  After the police contacted the Undersheriff and made him aware that the parade permit had been revoked, the Sheriff's Office decided it would not support the parade. 

The Police Department's Public Information Officer released a statement via social media that the parade was canceled. Mr. Crawford later confirmed via social media that the event was canceled but still encouraged people to come to the area and participate in the toy drive.

At approximately 6:15 p.m., there were about 800 people in the parking lot, with numerous citizens walking towards the area. Mr. Crawford, who was now organizing floats and

dance teams for his altered parade route through Crawford Street, was informed again that there would be no parade because he did not have a permit. The police then blocked several intersections in the downtown area for the next few hours to allow for the toy giveaway. Mr. Crawford and the police continued dialogue throughout the event until its conclusion.

Mr. Crawford later admitted that he knew that his permit was revoked by Parks and Recreation.

 

December 17, 2022. The city posted on social sites that the parade had been canceled.

December 17, 2022. The toy giveaway proceeded because that event was on private property. The police blocked several intersections in the downtown area, making the toy giveaway safer.

Original source can be found here