Staying safe during Mardi Gras

While you’re letting the good times roll during the Mardi Gras parades, it is important to remember to put safety first.

The Biloxi Police Department wants to remind all paradegoers to follow all safety procedures, including staying behind the barricades and following all instructions given by officers.

Also, if you have kids, it is a good idea to take a picture of them once you get to the parade that way if they get separated from you, you will have a picture of them in exactly what they are wearing to show to officers. Sgt. Joey Payne said, “For the officers it’s all about safety, we want you to have a good time. Like I said it is a family fun event, but we want to do it with safety. So when an officer tells you to step back, there is a reason they are telling you that. There is a reason that once the parade starts we can’t let you cross the road ways, so once we lock the barricades down, you have to stay behind them, even if you don’t see a float coming, but an emergency vehicle might be coming down the parade route.”

Another important thing to remember is that you can drink alcohol on the parade route, but it is against the law to have glass bottles.

No animals besides registered service animals are allowed on the parade route.