BROOKLYN, NY — All J’Ouvert parade attendees will be searched with wands as part of their “firm but fair” policing policy for the holiday weekend that will bring roughly 1.5 million people to Brooklyn’s streets, authorities said Thursday.
The police presence for Monday’s J’Ouvert and West Indian Day Parades — kicking off on Flatbush Avenue at 6 a.m. — will be thousands strong, both visibly and behind the scenes, according to the NYPD.
Attendees will enter the early morning J’Ouvert Parade at one of 13 entry points, at which all entering folks will be searched with a wand, according to Assistant Chief Charles McEvoy.
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Additional lighting will be provided throughout the celebration area with a particular focus on some thoroughfares. Authorities have already called for cease-fires and sent out notices to area gangs, according to Chief of Patrol John Chell.
Authorities said drones will help monitor 311 and non-emergency calls, especially related to backyard parties.
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Organizers have also hired private security to supplement the NYPD’s efforts, and Crisis Management System teams will be deployed 250 strong, according to authorities.
“We want everyone to have a celebratory weekend with the least amount of enforcement,” Chell said. “We’re gonna be firm but fair. We’ll apply the law when we have to, we’ll give people breaks, we’ll be compassionate.”
Police say last year was the safest parade weekend in recent history. The NYPD seized 27 guns between Thursday and Labor Day last year, but also were able to make noise and house calls that didn’t end in arrests, Chell said.
“Last year was one of our safest and most successful labor days on record,” Chell said.
The parade has, in the past, become a tense spot known for violence and over-policing, Gothamist reported. Celebrations in years past have brought shootings and significant allegations of police misconduct.
And just this week, eight people were injured in a shooting at a Boston Caribbean Carnival Festival celebration, according to WCVB.
“Even though we’ve seen issues that happened in England and in Boston,” said Pastor Gilman Rose, faith advisor to Mayor Eric Adams’ office. “[In] New York City, we’re going to lead the way of what a safe West Indian Day or Labor Day weekend is going to be.”
The parades will also prompt a number of street closures. Find route and traffic information below:
J’Ouvert Parade, Monday 6 a.m. – 11 a.m.
The following closures will start at 11:30 p.m. Sunday.
West Indian Day Parade, Monday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The following closures will occur during the parades:
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