Shreveport Police Prepare For Mardi Gras Weekend

The Krewe of Gemini Mardi Gras Parade gets underway this Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Section 78-118 of the City of Shreveport Code of Ordinances makes it unlawful for a person to possess banners and/or flags within fifty (50) feet of the parade route which would obstruct the view of public safety personnel, parade participants or bystanders. “You can have a flag with you within 50 feet of the route, but it cannot block the view of safety personnel, parade participants or bystanders. If so, you may be asked to move them,” said Interim Chief of Police Mike VanSant. “We want everyone to come out and have a good time; however, please be considerate of those around you." Clyde Fant to close again Friday night Again this weekend, the public will not be allowed to set up camp on public roadways before 7 a.m. Saturday. Police will close all of Clyde Fant Parkway from Lake Street to Shreveport-Barksdale beginning at 8 p.m. Friday night. Clyde Fant will then re-open to traffic at 7 a.m., so people may set up early on Saturday. The decision to close Clyde Fant overnight Friday was because of people trying to set up for the parade early. Early pitching of tents and saving of parking spaces will not be allowed. Violators will be ticketed, towed or forced to move. Also, people planning to park in the Broadmoor area at the end of the parade should heed all traffic signs, parking signs and no blocking of driveways. Construction on Youree Drive will affect the flow of traffic and Officers will be posted at major intersections around the Parade area. It is imperative that emergency traffic be able to flow through streets, so proper parking will be enforced. The parade begins on Clyde Fant at Lake Street and runs along the same route as previous years. It will head south on Clyde Fant to Shreveport-Barksdale, then travel down Shreveport-Barksdale to East Kings Highway, turning on East Kings Highway and ending at Preston Avenue. The route includes a no-alcohol family area that will be located on Clyde Fant between the railroad trestle just north of Memorial Park and Stoner Avenue. Absolutely NO GLASS containers or glass bottles will be allowed along the entire route, nudity will not be tolerated and pets are not allowed. In addition, no one will be allowed to throw anything back at a parade float, or wave flags or banners along the parade route. Main roadways for the parade will be closed at 3:30 p.m. Here are other helpful tips for those attending the Mardi Gras parades: Parking: * Parking on East Kings Highway is reserved parking for permit holders only. However, handicapped parking is available in Shreveport at East Kings Highway Park, also known as the Duck Pond. * NO parking is allowed before 7 a.m. on parade day. * On Shreveport-Barksdale and Clyde Fant Parkway, park behind the white lines only. Citizens cannot park where areas are clearly roped off and marked. * No parking is allowed on Captain Shreve. * Restricted parking is allowed on the residential streets from Albany to Patton. Some streets allow parking only on one side; other streets forbid parking. Look for parking signs, because the streets must remain clear for emergency vehicles. Violators will be towed. * Handicap parking is at the duck pond and at the Veterans Memorial lot on Clyde Fant. Residents must have a handicap parking tag or plate to gain access. Street Closures: * At 9 a.m., Crockett Street from Spring Street to Clyde Fant will close, and Clyde Fant from Crockett Street to Milam Street will be closed. Also closed will be Crockett from Market to Clyde Fant. Residents can gain access to Sci-Port until 4 p.m. * At 3:30 p.m. the following streets will close: East Kings at Preston East Kings at Youree Shreveport-Barksdale (including the Shreveport-Barksdale bridge). Clyde Fant from Milam Street to Shreveport-Barksdale Highway. Clyde Fant between 70th Street and Shreveport-Barksdale will remain open to allow access to Bossier City only. East Preston will be closed to through-traffic at East Kings Highway, Captain Shreve, Knight Street, and at Clyde Fant Parkway when parades turn onto East Kings Highway. Emergency Assistance and Command: * About 300 Law Enforcement Officers from local agencies that include Shreveport Police Department, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s and Wade Corrections will be working the parade. Officers will be in patrol cars, on foot, on bicycles, on horses and on motorcycles. * Police will have command busses at Stoner Park, Shreve City and on East Kings Highway. * Shreveport Fire Department will have EMS crews stationed throughout the parade route. No Throw Areas: * In the staging areas. * The railroad underpass just north of Veterans Memorial. * Stoner Avenue bridge. * The turn from Clyde Fant onto Shreveport-Barksdale. * Past the ending banner on Kings and anytime thereafter. Parade Rules: * No alcohol will be allowed on Clyde Fant from the railroad trestle just north of Memorial Park to Stoner Avenue. This area has been designated the Alcohol-Free Family Zone. * No glass bottles or containers will be allowed on the parade route. * No one may cross parade barricades during the parade. * No animals are allowed within 200 yards of the parade route, unless the animals are in secured yards of residents living along the parade route. * No dangerous objects or silly string in pressurized containers. * No one may throw something at a parade float. * Police will not tolerate any underage drinking or possession of alcohol. * No public nudity or exposure will be tolerated. * No float drivers may drink any alcohol or throw beads. They will be required to take an intoxilyzer test. * Floats in the parade must have skirts or escorts walking alongside them. Safety Tips: * Don’t leave children unattended! Make plans to meet up at a particular location in case children become separated from guardians during the parade. * Do not fight or struggle over beads. Thousands of beads are thrown, so be polite and respectful for others trying to catch them. * Keep a safe distance from the floats. * Keep valuables at home, and make sure cars are securely locked. * Don’t take purses or wallets to parades. Keep money and other items in front pants pocket. * Clean up after yourself. City workers will clean the parade route, but doing your part will help a lot.