‘A lot to wrestle with’: At least two communities have canceled their Christmas parades. Others are still deciding. – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Holiday parades are beloved annual traditions for countless communities,but after unthinkable tragedy struck one of the Milwaukee area's first of the yearsomeare reconsidering their plans.

On Monday, Menomonee Falls announced the cancelation of its annual Christmas Parade, scheduled for Nov. 28, in the wake of an SUV plowing into the Waukesha Christmas Parade on Sunday, killing five people and injuring 48 others.

A number of other communities are rethinking their plans and expect to make decisions soon on whether to move forward or make new security precautions.

"It would be very hard to march in the parade, which would normally be a very joyous time, knowing that many people have been seriously injured and five have died," Menomonee Falls Village President Dave Glasgowsaid. "We stand in solidarity with our Waukesha friends and mourn with them the injured and those who lost their lives."

Residents possibly being too "terrified" to attend the parade also factored into the decision, he said.

Whitefish Bay has also decidednot to have itsHoliday Stroll Parade, which was scheduled for Friday,according to aMerchants of Whitefish Bay special edition newsletter.The decision was made incoordination with the Village of Whitefish Bay and the Whitefish Bay Police Department.

"The Whitefish Bay Business Improvement District (BID) is deeply saddened by the events in Waukesha and, out of respect for our grieving community, unanimously made this decision," the newsletter said.

The village's tree lighting ceremony and non-parade activities that occuras part of the Holiday Stroll are being postponed.

The newsletter encouraged residents and visitors to visit Silver Spring Drive throughout December for holiday activities and to make a donation to theWaukesha Community Fund.

The suspect in the Waukesha parade incidentis Darrell Brooks Jr., 39, of Milwaukee.He was expected to face formal charges Tuesday.

Waukesha Police Chief Daniel Thompson said Monday thatpolice were referring five counts of first-degree intentional homicide to prosecutorsand other charges likely were to follow.

Grafton was planning on making itsfinal call Tuesday on if and how it will move forward with its annual Christmas Parade, which is scheduled for Saturday.

Leaders from the Grafton police and fire departments,Department of Public Works, village administrator and parade organizers met Monday to discuss whether the parade should continue as planned, and if so,what extra measureswould be taken to "ensure the safety and security of the parade participants and observers," Police Chief Jeff Caponera said in a newsrelease.

"Obviously, we want to be respectful of the victims, their families, and Waukesha community," he said in a news release. "At the same time, we believe that we cannot allow this tragedy to drive us into fear and keep us from celebrating the holiday season there has been enough fearmongering as of late and we don't need anything further to divide us."

More: What we know, and don't know, about the Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy

There is "a lot to wrestlewith over the next couple of days," he said. The group planned to reconvene Tuesday afternoon to make a final decision.

"Rest assured, should the parade continue as planned, we are confident that our added measures will result in a safe and enjoyable event for all," he said.

Other municipalities, like West Allis, also planned to meetto discuss their parades.

West Allis' parade is scheduled for Dec. 4, along with the city's annual tree lighting ceremony at City Hall,7525 W. Greenfield Ave.

The City of St. Francis will be evaluating "all aspects" of its upcoming event with its police and fire departments, City Attorney PaulAlexy of Municipal Law & Litigation Group,S.C. said in an email to the Journal Sentinel Monday. The Christmas Parade is scheduled for 3 p.m. Dec. 4 with a Winter Wonderland Celebration to follow at 4:15 p.m. at the St. Francis Fire Department,3400 E. Howard Ave.

Providing "any advance public notice of specific security measures may frustrate the citys goal to provide a safe environment for both participants and spectators," Alexy said.

Franklin has decided to move forward with its Christmas Parade the first in the city's history, according to a news release. The parade is scheduled to start at 4:15 p.m. Dec. 4.

"We're sensitive to the tragedy in Waukesha and wish to honor the spirit of those who were killed or hurt by participating in the celebration of the Christmas holiday season with a parade, an activity they were participating in," Franklin Mayor Steve Olson said in a news release. "We are aware of the circumstances surrounding the Waukesha tragedy and are confident that we'll provide a safe and enjoyable event for families."

The police department willtake extra precautionsto make sure thatany route to or through the parade "will be secured to prevent any vehicles from entering," Franklin Police ChiefRick Oliva said Monday.

Oliva said there are tentative plans for how they're going to do that, but wouldn't discuss the specifics.

The route starts at Drexel Avenue and Schlueter Parkway, travels toward Legend Drive viaSchlueter Parkway, then heads to City Hall,9229 West Loomis Road, for a 5 p.m. tree lighting ceremony, according to a parade flyer.

"We will be prepared to ensure a safe parade for everybody," Olivasaid.

West Bend will also be putting additional security measures in place for its Nov. 28 Christmas Parade to "ensure all participants and spectators are safe," the West Bend Police Department posted on Facebook Monday.

Parade organizers and police department staff members met Monday to review and discuss security and logistics.

Additional road closures will be in place for the parade, so participants and spectators may not be able to park in spots they have used in the past, the post said.

Each year, Highway 33 at 7th Avenue is closed to traffic during the parade, the post said, and no vehicles will be allowed to cross 7th Avenue. Detour routes will be marked on Highway 33 eastbound at North 18th Avenue and on Highway 33 westbound on Indiana Avenue.

"Parade organizers and West Bend Police ask all to allow more time to get to the parade, and to be cooperative with police and volunteers that are staffing the intersections and parade route," the post said.

Organizers of the Dec. 4 OconomowocChristmas Parade and this week's German Christmas Markethave been working with city leadership to review safety and security measures for both events, according to a Tuesday news release from City of Oconomowoc officials.

Increased protection will be put in place to control any vehicles from entering the parade area, and a "secure perimeter" will be installed atthe market "to improve the overall safety and security of the event area," a news release said. There will also be an increased presence of law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel at both events.

Parade attendees should "allow additional time to arrive" as street closures, which will be "hard closures," will occur earlier thanin the past, the release noted. The marketruns Friday through Sunday. The market's entertainment tent will also be open Wednesday night.

One group that normally takes part in the local parades will not be in Oconomowoc this year. Lisa Bear Ireland, who works out of the RE/MAX Realty Center in Oconomowoc said the group was walking in the Waukesha parade and a member of the Re/Max family was narrowly hit by the SUV.

"Out of respect to everyone involved, RE/MAX Realty Center has decided it is best to pull out of both the upcoming Watertown and Oconomowoc parades," Bear Ireland said.

Communities outside of the Milwaukee area are also feeling the impact of Sunday's events.

A silent procession"dedicated to the Waukesha community" was set to follow Appleton's downtown Christmas parade Tuesday,AppletonMayor Jake Woodford said.

We stand firmly with our friends in Waukesha as they mourn the tragedy in their community, Woodford saidMonday. Were preparing actively to make sure we have a safe and enjoyable event.

The Hometown Christmas Parade inTwo Riverswill also go on, but with extra security measures, according toTwo Rivers Police Chief Brian Kohlmeier. It's scheduled for Nov. 27.

"TheTwo Rivers Police Departmentis well aware of what happened in Waukesha and we certainly wouldn't want to see anything like that happen in this area," Kohlmeier told the Herald Times Reporter Monday. "(We) will do our best to ensure the safety of everyone that attends the event, and we hope that everyone has a good time."

Chris Mueller of the Appleton Post-Crescent andAlisa M. Schafer of the Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter contributed to this report.

Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kozlowicz_cathy.

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'A lot to wrestle with': At least two communities have canceled their Christmas parades. Others are still deciding. - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel