Fans urged to stay off roofs at parade

Police, property owner concerned about safety at event

Downtown property owner George Paley hopes that one tradition from the 1988 National Championship parade doesn’t carry over to the parade on Sunday – using the roofs of downtown buildings as a viewing area.

“I’m extremely concerned about people getting up there to watch the parade,” said Paley, who owns several buildings in downtown.

The Lawrence Police Department also is urging people to stay off the roofs, even if they have permission from the building’s owner.

“That is something we certainly would discourage from a public safety standpoint,” Sgt. Paul Fellers said.

In addition to the risk of falling off the roof, Fellers said there’s high voltage electrical equipment on many of the roofs.

People who don’t have permission from the building’s owner could be arrested for criminal trespass.