FOX59 at the 500: IMPD Chief Chris Bailey speaks ahead of Indy 500

INDIANAPOLIS — Each year, the Indianapolis 500, or the “greatest spectacle in racing,” is one of the biggest events in the world.

Each year, law enforcement takes time to prepare for keeping the 300,000 attendees of the Indianapolis 500 safe, including Chris Bailey, the chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

“We always plan as if the whole place is going to sell out,” Bailey said in an interview on FOX59/CBS4 Sunday morning. “…That plan hasn’t changed.”

Bailey said it is a team effort for law enforcement to work an event like the Indianapolis 500, as well as the other events occurring in Indianapolis this weekend, including the Indiana Fever and Indiana Pacers games. Other participating law enforcement agencies include the Indiana State Police, the Indianapolis Fire Department, as well as the Speedway police and fire departments.

Even with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway just opening, law enforcement officials are preparing for folks leaving. According to officials with the speedway, vehicles will not be released from IMS parking lots until pedestrian traffic allows for clear roadways.

“This can take up to an hour following the end of the race,” officials said.

Officials said that IMS and the surrounding area is divided into four quadrants. As fans leave IMS, they will “be directed to the nearest interstate access based on the quadrant in which they are parked – not their intended destination.”

To kick off race day, Bailey participated in this morning’s cannon firing to kick off the opening of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He told FOX59/CBS4 that the cannon was loud, but he was so excited that he didn’t even hear it.

In a post on social media, Bailey encouraged fans to be patient and “take a moment to thank the law enforcement officers working hard.”

“It’s a long day for them and they’re here to keep you safe,” Bailey said.

For up-to-date information on this afternoon’s race, click here.