Not a day goes by where I don’t shake my head and think (and sometimes say), “What is wrong with people?”

I’m shaking my head this week as we prepare for the Bolenz Jewelry Christmas parade. I wrote a column similar to this in 2015, but I guess it is time to revisit this topic.

The Chamber no longer hosts the Fourth of July parade, but I attended this year as a spectator. I was standing across from an area that tends to have large crowd. I noticed that people were creeping further and further into the street. I observed children standing dangerously close to the parade vehicles and spectators who were upset they couldn’t see because of all the people standing in the street.

I saw one woman attempt to get people to move back. Having been involved in organization of the parade for so many years, knowing how hard it is to manage the crowd for safety, and knowing how difficult it is to find enough volunteers to place along the route to manage such issues, it was too much for me not to help.

The road where we were watching the parade has a center lane with yellow stripes on either side of it, and one lane on each side of the center lane. The spectators on that side of the road were all the way across that yellow line of the center lane, which, in my opinion, is completely irresponsible, disrespectful and dangerous.

There were parents allowing their children to run in front of parade entries to snag candy that hadn’t made it very far. Walkers in the parade were having a difficult time getting through the crowds. I ran across the street (yes, in between entries — not the best example to set for kids, I realize) and started asking people to step back and to remember safety.

Most people were polite and listened. Some people grumbled but obliged. Some people in the back thanked me. One man, in front of his young child, told me do something inappropriate (but he used different words) and refused to move. After running back across the street, it wasn’t long before the crowd started creeping up again.

It seemed like such a ridiculous situation, with a clear lack of common sense from the creepers.

It is unfortunate that we must make rules to control such behavior. What happened to personal responsibility and respect? Why would a parent allow their child to pick up candy that is in the path of an oncoming tire that is attached to a very heavy, moving assortment of steel and plastic, with distractions all around that could potentially keep the driver from seeing everything happening around him or her?

I don’t have children, so maybe I am missing something, but it seems clear to me. A Tootsie Roll is not worth the risk. Why are some people OK with being so disrespectful to others? What makes it OK for the people in front to stand and block the view of those behind them? People who originally chose their spots to watch the parade had a great view, until others decided it was acceptable to stand in front of them.

The lack of personal responsibility and increase in unsafe behaviors and disrespect is what has led us to make changes with the Christmas parade.

The police have contacted us and are concerned about safety. The rules are simple and will allow everyone to enjoy the parade: Stay along the curb. Don’t crowd the floats. Keep children by the curb and do not allow them to run into parade traffic (I can’t believe we even have to say that). Sit in a chair (that you bring) or on the curb, especially if there are people behind you trying to view the parade.

Those who are in the parade, do not throw candy from your float. That is how candy ends up too close to the entries and tempts children to run out to it. Walkers should instead walk along with your entry and hand out candy or drop handfuls close to the children. We have the authority to impose fines on those who do not follow instructions, to ask spectators to leave the parade, and to forbid entrants from participating in future parades.

I hate that we even have to say those things. Why aren’t people more respectful of others? Why don’t all parents put their children’s safety first? What would happen if we didn’t have rules and let spectators do what they wanted?

Although it makes me shake my head and ask, “What is wrong with people?” yet again, it is an important message to share.

If you’re attending the parade, you absolutely have permission — and I’ll even go as far as to say the responsibility — to help make it as safe and as enjoyable as possible for everyone.

Jackie Krawczak is president/CEO of the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce. Her column runs biweekly on Thursdays. Follow Jackie on Twitter @jkrawczak.