ST. CHARLES (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- First responders in one suburb said they will no longer participate in what's turned into a quarantine tradition.
St. Charles said its police officers and firefighters will no longer participate in social distancing parades, after receiving an "overwhelming" number of requests from the community.
Since parties to celebrate birthdays or some other special occasion are off the table due to COVID-19, people have been organizing car parades past the celebrants house. People decorate their cars and honk their horns. And when asked, police squad cars and fire trucks take part in the celebration.
Officials in St. Charles said they are no longer taking requests to participate in car parades because they don't have time to keep up with the flood of inqueries. The police and fire department have received 62 car parade requests since April 3.
"Everyone truly enjoyed being involved and watching the children's faces as we drove up with our lights and sirens going," said Cmdr. Rich Clark, in a statement. "But based on an increase in our calls for service, it has become increasing more difficult for our officers to participate in the daily parades."
Parades already scheduled with the fire department will be honored based on personnel availability.