Shreveport Ends Longtime Practice of Roping Off Public Parade Land for Mardi Gras

Most people probably did not notice a big change at the Krewe of Gemini Parade in Shreveport on Saturday. But it is definitely a change in what is allowed along the route. For many years, folks could set up along the Clyde Fant Parkway and along the public spaces along Shreveport Barksdale Highway and "rope off" sections for their group.

That is no longer allowed and I watched the change happen Saturday morning. About 7:30 in the morning I drove up the Parkway and noticed dozens of folks with "roped off" spots. In light of what happened with the alleged attack on an elderly woman at the Krewe of Centaur Parade on February 7, I wondered if it is ok to rope off sections of public land.

Well, when I turned around near downtown to go back down the Parkway, I saw police officers fanning out to let folks know this practice would no longer be allowed. These officers were stopping and telling people to take the yellow tape or ropes down. And that's what happened all along the Parkway.

No more reserving large spaces for your group.

In driving down Shreveport Barksdale Highway, I also saw folks with roped off sections in the median and on the side of the road in public spaces. I wondered if police would make the same request in that area.

Well, after my exercise class I drove down Shreveport Barksdale and noticed all the roped off sections were gone. I can only assume police also went through that area telling folks to take the tape down.

All these public areas are open to anyone. You can still put up your tents and park your car along the route. But you will no longer be able to claim sections of that land as your area.