Mardi Gras Safety Tips
Feb 1st, 2012
Towed Vehicles
Towed vehicles will be will be towed to a temporary impound lot at Water and Monroe Streets. The temporary fenced lot is located between the former Roussos Restaurant and the Mobile Cruise Terminal under the I-10 roadway.
The lot will be open to 11 p.m. each parade night, and those vehicles not retrieved by that time will be moved to the permanent impound facility behind the Mobile Police Department Training Academy at 1251 Virginia St.
Cost to retrieve a vehicle from either of the impound lots is $125. Only cash, debit cards, or Master Card and Visa credit cards will be accepted. Motorists picking up their towed vehicles also must present a valid driver’s license, proof of ownership (registration, a tag receipt, etc.) and proof of current insurance.
Most vehicles are towed because of parking violations. The Mobile Police Department will begin closing streets in the downtown area about one hour before each scheduled parade. Non-parking areas will be designated by signage, including special green and gold Mardi Gras “No Parking” signs along the parade routes.
RV parking on the medians along Claiborne and Canal streets will still be prohibited this Mardi Gras. There will be RV parking underneath I-10 at Canal and Water Streets for a fee.
Lost Children
Police this year also are emphasizing that parents make every effort to place an identity card in their child’s pocket in the event that they become separated from each other. The card should provide the name of the child, address, telephone contact numbers and the name of a relative.
In the event that parents and children are separated, the children should be instructed to go to the nearest police officer. Police will attempt to contact the parents and the children will be taken to the downtown mini-precinct at 320 Dauphin St. (251-208-6304) until they can be reunited.
Parking
Due to safety concerns and an increase in available public parking, the Mobile Police Department will begin enforcing the No Parking signs on the Water Street median between Government Street and Dauphin Street on Mardi Gras parade dates.
No Parking signs will also be enforced on the city right-of-way along the east side of Water Street north of the Convention Center. Parking is still available in all other locations as in years past, with new opportunities to park this year at the lot on the site of the CSX building at the foot of Government Street and at the Alabama Cruise Terminal.
Parade Information
Citizens are again being asked to refrain from using 911 or the Mobile Police Department’s non-emergency number for Mardi Gras information requests. Those calls should be directed to 311, the city’s information line.
Other safety tips include:
• Attend parades with family or friends.
• A city ordinance strictly forbids glass containers in public.
• Do not follow floats. Violators may be arrested.
• Do not throw any object in the direction of floats, band members, or parade participants. Violators may be arrested.
• Materials known as “Silly String” and “Snap & Pops”, along with similar products are illegal. Possession of any these products may result in arrest.
• Do not cross the barricades. Each officer will be carrying a ticket book and will be issuing citations for the offense. The fine for crossing the barricades is $172.
• No underage drinking is allowed. Special undercover police details will arrest violators.
• If you need police assistance during a parade, go to the nearest intersection and advise a uniformed police officer. If police are notified by phone for help, please provide as accurate location description as possible for easier and more timely response by the officers.
• Please cooperate with all requests from police officers.
• Choose a well-lit area for night parade viewing.
• Establish a post-parade meeting place for family and friends in case you become separated.
• Park vehicles in secure areas and do not leave valuables in plain sight. Utilize the trunk to store valuables.
• The Mobile Police Department will enforce a “no weapons” policy. Persons found in possession of weapons will be arrested. Pistol permits do not allow possession of firearms at parades.
• Uniformed and plainclothes officers will be patrolling behind the crowds to identify and arrest persons engaging in criminal activity.
• Pets are prohibited during the parades downtown.
• Skateboards and motorized scooters are prohibited.