Houma Police: Rules in effect for parades

Mardi Gras parade-goers anxious to be close to the action are being warned to keep roadside floats and stands off public property.

State police are reminding citizens that viewing platforms placed near the highway’s edge in Terrebonne Parish are illegally parked.

The parish’s Planning, Zoning and Permit Office requires that all roadside floats along the parade route be properly permitted and set up on private property only. According to parish law, roadside stands or floats placed in a right-of-way – parish or state – are banned.

Permit inspectors will be out throughout the Carnival season inspecting for violations.

The ordinance is designed to keep roads safe and open for motorists traveling by, said Trooper First Class Gilbert Dardar Jr., spokesman for Troop C. The penalty for violators of the Mardi Gras law will be swift, he warned.

“If Troop C receives any complaints concerning a roadside float blocking the view or that is dangerous to the flow of traffic, a trooper will be assigned to investigate the issue,” said Captain Val Penouilh, commander of Louisiana State Police Troop C. “If the trooper determines the float is a hazard to traffic, the trooper will have the float removed immediately.”

Dardar also warned those intending to erect a roadside float to first get the permission of the property owner.

Houma Police also issued guidelines for parade viewers and float riders to follow to ensure that this Mardi Gras season is accident-free.

•Arrests will be made for throwing objects at float riders or intentionally damaging floats.

• Glass containers are not allowed within 500 feet of the parade route – two hours prior, during, or one hour following the parade.

• Officers will issue summons or arrest individuals for loud profane music.

• Residents are not allowed to stand, sit or put their hands, arms or legs through the designated barricades on parade routes.

• Residents should stay on the proper side of the barricades at all times. In an instance where there are no barricades, residents are advised to stay a good distance away from floats and parade marchers.

• Only members of carnival organizations or contracted parade participants are allowed to follow the float or band during the course of the parade.

• As a courtesy to others, viewers cannot hold anyone over age 6 in their arms, on their backs or shoulders within 10 feet of a carnival float or other parade viewers.

• Silly string is prohibited within 300 feet of a parish parade route on any day a parade is scheduled.

• Parade viewers should travel in groups for safety.

Violations can be reported to the Houma Police at (985) 873-6371.