Eagles Parade: 2 Arrested, 2 Stabbed, But Mostly Peaceful

PHILADELPHIA – The historic Eagles championship parade was largely peaceful and joyous, but Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross said in a press conference Friday that some bad apples were among the crowd, which city officials said was "well above 700,000."

According to Ross, there were two arrests, two stabbings, five disorderly conduct citations, and four police cars minimally damaged.

One stabbing occurred on the 2200 block of the Ben Franklin Parkway after a 25-year-old man and the stabbing suspect were involved in a fight, Ross said. The victim was not able to tell police what happened beyond the fight and stabbing.

The other stabbing happened in Liberty Place, but Ross said that may have stemmed from a neighborhood dispute and is not likely tied to the parade.

Both stabbing victims will survive, he said.

The two arrests came from assault incidents, he said.

The two arrests were a woman in South Philadelphia who rushed the parade line and was arrested, but while she was being taken into custody she allegedly assaulted an officer, but the officer was not injured.

Another arrest was for an assault of a civilian, he said.

Four police vehicles sustained minor damage, which stemmed from people climbing on them to get better vantages of the parade, according to Ross.

Ross thanked all of the Philadelphia Police department partner organizations, including Pennsylvania State Police, Montgomery, Delaware, and Bucks county law enforcement for their help in keeping the parade as safe as possible.

"Without them we couldn't have done it, that's just the bottom line."

He also thanked the Streets Department, the Office of Emergency Management, and the countless others who helped made the parade possible and a success.

"The men and women of this department never let me down," Ross said. "The way they perform is just outstanding. Most importantly, they way they use restraint and discretion which is critical when you're dealing with supersized crowds.

"To be able to have that type of event," Ross said of the parade, "with those numbers, and to have some small hiccups is remarkable."

Ross said the success of the parade is attributed to all those who participated in organizing and executing it, and even to those who attended the parade.

Parade Producer Fred Stein said one jumbotron screen was destroyed after fans climbed it and a few portable toilets were destroyed, as well.

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)