Fiesta San Antonio continues to upgrade safety and security measures, which were implemented after the 2023 and 2024 shootings. Centro San Antonio, a nonprofit organization that works toward the improvement and upkeep of the city, will be working at Fiesta to ensure the safety of all attendees.
The Paisano spoke to Centro President and CEO Trish Deberry about the security measures that will continue at this year’s Fiesta celebrations.
Safeguards such as bag checks and fencing along the perimeter were put in place at Fiesta. Deberry went into detail about the security improvements made.
“Many of the participating member organizations are doing transparent bags, a lot more security regarding off duty police officers,” Deberry noted. “It could be that they’re charging. They’re also doing bag checks. They’re winding people down.
“And then, of course, we have a heightened security presence with bike patrol all over downtown, and even our ambassador operation with Centro — we’re starting the shift later in the morning so that we can work later into the evening, as a result of safety and making people feel more comfortable with our presence even until 11 o’clock at night.”
Centro’s Crisis Response Team, a unit of former San Antonio Police Department officers, will act as security at Fiesta this year. Centro coordinates with SAPD to organize their security efforts.
“We are in regular conversations with bike patrol about shifts regarding the Ambassador operation, the crossover coordination with San Antonio bike patrol,” Deberry explained.
According to Deberry, the upgraded security measures at Fiesta de los Reyes helps Fiesta attendees feel safe.
“Fiesta is a lot more family-friendly, so whatever precautions we can take in the safety arena to really promote that family-friendly atmosphere, it’s all worth it,” Deberry stated.
Deberry described the importance of increased security at Fiesta.
“We no longer live in a world today where we can take safety for granted,” she stated. “We have stepped up. We have heightened precautions because we know it’s important to people.
“Fiesta is a part of our cultural fabric, and we don’t need to necessarily put a negative specter over one of the most important fundraisers. We’ve got to keep innovating, ideating as a space relative to, not only safety and security, but the entertainment factor. All of it.”
Deberry provided some safety tips for Fiesta-goers this year.
“Be aware of your surroundings no matter where you are, and if you sense that there’s a problem, ‘See something, say something,’” she said. “Most importantly, remain vigilant about where you are and what you see, and if your gut instinct tells you something is wrong, make sure you make a phone call.”
If in danger, Deberry emphasized that Fiesta-goers should call 911 for the police or Centro’s number, (210) 224-7747, for an escort.
