ARMED FORCES DAY SPECIAL
STANDING COMMITTEE
TUESDAY, JULY 1, 2025 | 9 AM
ROLL CALL
A R M E D F O R C E S D A Y S P E C I A L S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E 2
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3A R M E D F O R C E S D A Y S P E C I A L S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
4A R M E D F O R C E S D A Y S P E C I A L S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E 2025 Review & 2026 Planning ARMED FORCES DAY SPECIAL STANDING COMMITTEE 5 Event Overview
201
8 201
9 202
3 2020-2022 202
4 202
5 •Estimated 7600 spectators.
•Average stay of 92 minutes.
•Highest recorded number of
parade-goers since COVID-19.
•22.6% increase over 2023.
7600
Placer.ai is a location analytics platform that provides foot traffic, visitor behavior, and demographic insights based on anonymized mobile device data.
ARMED FORCES DAY SPECIAL STANDING COMMITTEE 6
Visitors by Demographic
•A.I. Analysis reflects:
–35% Families with Children.
–19% Single Young Adults.
–15% Older Adult.
Placer.ai is a location analytics platform that provides foot traffic, visitor behavior, and demographic insights based on anonymized mobile device data.
ARMED FORCES DAY SPECIAL STANDING COMMITTEE 7
Visitors by Origin
Placer.ai is a location analytics platform that provides foot traffic, visitor behavior, and demographic insights based on anonymized mobile device data.
ARMED FORCES DAY SPECIAL STANDING COMMITTEE 8
Visitor Activity Post Parade
•5% of parade spectators are dining out afterwards.
•4.8% are visiting the Del Amo Fashion Center.
•Many visiting Torrance Marriott post parade.
–Likely captured Military & PD Participants.
Placer.ai is a location analytics platform that provides foot traffic, visitor behavior, and demographic insights based on anonymized mobile device data.
ARMED FORCES DAY SPECIAL STANDING COMMITTEE 9
Event Overview
•70 parade entries:
–40 civilian
–30 military (19 assets)
•Featured events:
Public Event
–Parade
–Military Exhibit Site
–Military Concert
–5K For Freedom Walk/Run
Invite-Only Event
–Dignitary Mixer
–Dignitary Exhibit
Tour/Walkthrough
–Western Museum of
Flight Tour
–VIP Luncheon
–Dinner BanquetARMED FORCES DAY SPECIAL STANDING COMMITTEE 10 Dignitary Mixer
After-Action Summary
•Successes:
–High-level interaction; relaxed setting.
•Challenges:
–Only 3-4 honored dignitaries attended.
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Military Exhibit Site
After-Action Summary
•Successes:
- High youth/family interest; asset engagement.
–Space Force exhibit recorded 7000+ “visits.”
•Challenges:
–Staffing and asset conflicts and delayed committal.
–Site unavailable in 2026.
•Recommendations:
–Secure alternate venue and define layout.
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Military Concert
After-Action Summary
•Successes:
–Strong, energetic musical program.
•Challenges:
–Low attendance; military band contribution
minimal Minimal military dignitary and VIP
attendance.
•Recommendations:
–Consider outdoor venue, update dignitary/VIP
recognition script in response to no-shows.
ARMED FORCES DAY SPECIAL STANDING COMMITTEE 13
5K Run
After-Action Summary
•Successes:
–Safe, timely, well-attended.
–957 Paid Participants.
–59 Vendor Booths (most ever).
–186 Military Registrants (but visible lack of
presence/formations per Chamber of Commerce).
•Challenges:
–Site unavailable for 2026.
•Recommendations:
–Evaluate new 5K route.
ARMED FORCES DAY SPECIAL STANDING COMMITTEE 14
Parade - VIP Viewing Stands
After Action Summary
•Successes:
- Group swearing in ceremony with Grand Marshal.
•Challenges:
–High cost of reviewing stands ($21, 528)
–Poor attendance:
•Capacity 312
•RSVP: 385
•Actual: 123
•Recommendations: 360 Degree fencing.
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Dignitary Exhibit Walkthrough
After-Action Summary
•Successes:
–Strong exhibitor interaction.
•Challenges:
–Only 3-4 Honored Dignitaries attended.
ARMED FORCES DAY SPECIAL STANDING COMMITTEE 16
Western Museum Tour
After-Action Summary
•Successes:
–Unique experience; well-received by VIPs.
•Challenges:
–Escort/security challenges due to distance from other venues. –Only four honored dignitaries attended.
ARMED FORCES DAY SPECIAL STANDING COMMITTEE 17
VIP Luncheon
After-Action Summary
•Successes:
–High-quality food/program.
•Challenges:
–Low attendance despite RSVPs:
•Capacity: 250
•RSVP: 270
•Actual: 145
–Cost of no-shows $3,000
–Drop off & Pedestrian access impeded by Security.
•Recommendations:
–Drop-off zone & Parking Improvements.
–Scale venue to actual interest.
ARMED FORCES DAY SPECIAL STANDING COMMITTEE 18
Dinner Banquet
After-Action Summary
•Successes:
–Formal tone, strong keynote speech
•Challenges:
–Low attendance despite RSVPs:
•Capacity: 220
•RSVP: 180
•Actual: 138
–Cost of no-shows $6,200
–Food cost minimum difficult to meet
–One branch of combined color guard did not attend
•Recommendations:
–RSVP Reconfirmations, Incentivize Attendance (Recognition/Awards) ARMED FORCES DAY SPECIAL STANDING COMMITTEE 19
Overall Event Highlights
•Smooth parade execution despite light rain.
•Strong public engagement at 5K, Parade, and Static Display. •Dignitary experience reported as positive overall.
•Effective vehicle security posture.
•Spectators and Participants reported a safe environment and elevated sense of security.
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Enhanced Safety & Logistical Improvements Made
for 2025
•Enhanced security perimeters and vehicle access control. •Improved flyover coordination led by TPD Personnel and Volunteers.
•Refined traffic control and emergency planning zones.
•Increase in Tactical Response capabilities.
–Total of 3 SWAT Teams.
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Vehicle vs. Barrier Incident
ARMED FORCES DAY SPECIAL STANDING COMMITTEE 22
Planning & Coordination
•Lower-than-expected military support despite Army milestone year.
•Coordination involved significant contribution from nearly all City Departments.
•Complex, multi-site footprint stretched planning capacity and security concerns.
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Staffing & Resource Allocation
•Heavy reliance on TPD staffing & overtime:
–Parade Day ONLY:
•80+ Sworn TPD employees
•40+ Volunteers
•20+ Civilian TPD Employees
•20+ Private Security Personnel
•2 Additional SWAT Teams
•Assisting Agency personnel (PD & FED): 15+
•Wide operational deployment across 3 days.
•Hundreds of additional city employees participating from outside PD.
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Rising Parade Costs
•Increased safety and logistics have significantly raised parade expenses to include the addition of barricades, vehicle rentals, hotel accommodations, catering, décor, printing, and other logistic requirements.
•24% decline in sponsorships/donations received.
–2019 ($15,545)
–2025 ($11,825)
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Estimated Costs
Total Marginal Cost: Finance estimates the marginal cost of the event at $498,433, reflecting actual expenses incurred (e.g., hotel, barriers, flyover fuel, catering, printing, p-card purchases, etc), while excluding regular hours worked by staff. o A distinction was made between marginal costs (true fiscal impact) and total cost of effort, which would include regular hours worked by city staff. (Hotel accommodations, catering, floral, etc)
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Challenges & Resource Strain
•Military flyovers absent; limited asset participation:
–18 Scheduled (none from military).
–Only 5 flyovers due to inclement weather.
•Del Amo exhibit site unavailable in 2026.
•Resource load strained under current format.
•Participation diminishing from military contributors.
–2026 is set to honor the U.S. Marine Corps. While we remain hopeful, the USMC has been one of the least contributing branches since 2020.
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Challenges & Resource Strain
•RSVP vs. actual attendance significantly dropped:
–Hotel Room vacancies:
•122 room nights reserved based on military requests
•31 nights were no-shows from military staff (-$6185.00) –Intelligence Section reported military partners were reluctant to provide necessary Dignitary Risk Analysis.
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2026 Planning Obstacles
•The loss of the Del Amo Fashion Center Exhibit Site will require significant event transformation.
–Alternative, viable location not yet identified.
–Changed location may force new 5K route.
•Military contribution steadily decreasing while costs continue to increase.
ARMED FORCES DAY SPECIAL STANDING COMMITTEE 29
Participant Feedback Snapshot
•Contributing branches and AFDP providers were surveyed after the event.
–Responses revealed a predominantly “Excellent” overall experience & willingness to return.
–Fleet Week highlighted as a cost/logistics challenge.
–Majority of branches anticipate the same level of contribution in 2026. •Surveys indicate format fatigue among participants.
•Growing support & openness to move away from multi-day event and consider a streamlined, one-day model.
ARMED FORCES DAY SPECIAL STANDING COMMITTEE 30
2026 Planning Considerations
•Consider transitioning to a one-day centralized event format. •Explore opportunities to reduce staffing and logistical costs. •Engage military partners early for 2026 commitment planning. •Evaluate celebration alternatives to celebrate Armed Forces Day in lieu of Parade.
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2026 Alternative Event Ideas
•Centralized Community Celebration (Wilson Park or similar size venue).
•Heavy recruitment efforts by all military branches, TPD, and TFD highlighted by “Heroes Games” athletic competition. •Live Music, Interactive Educational Activities, & Patriotic Themed Family Events.
•Veteran’s Tribute Ceremony.
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2026 Alternative Event Ideas (Cont.)
•Fireworks or Drone Show.
•Honor Wall or digital storytelling project featuring local veterans and active service members.
•Food Trucks, Beer/Wine garden, etc.
•Exploring a new format presents an exciting opportunity to optimize public funds and better support the efforts of City Departments.
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THANK
YOU www.torranceca.gov/our-city/police
Traffic & Special Events
Torrance Police Department
Traffic & Special Events Division
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PUBLIC COMMENT
35A R M E D F O R C E S D A Y S P E C I A L S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E
CONCLUSION
36A R M E D F O R C E S D A Y S P E C I A L S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E
ADJOURNMENT
37A R M E D F O R C E S D A Y S P E C I A L S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E