Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: Feb. 28, 2003

Phone: 318/673-6932 Fax: 318/673-6933

Contact: Kacee Hargrave, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Police gear up for 2^nd Mardi Gras parade

Here’s a message to anyone under age 21 who thinks they can drink at the Mardi Gras parade: Don’t even think about it!

Last Saturday, 66 people were arrested for underage drinking at the Krewe of Centaur Mardi Gras parade. That’s 70 percent of the total of people (95) who were arrested during last weekend’s parade.

Of the total arrests, seven were for fighting and two were for narcotics.

Caddo Parish Animal Control wrote five summonses for people who brought dogs to the parade. A pit bull was impounded for not having rabies tags.

City ordinance states that animals of any kind, including horses and reptiles, are not allowed within 200 yards of the parade route.

The ordinance also says people can be ticketed for: throwing anything at the floats or other parade entries; having glass bottles or containers; having flags or banners within 50 feet of the parade route and parking along the parade route before 7 a.m. on parade day. Violation of any of these provisions can result in a $500 fine and/or 60 days in jail.

-spd-

View all SPD press releases at www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews