As the exuberant spirit of Mardi Gras descends upon Soulard, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has taken to social media to offer a friendly reminder of the rules and regulations in place for tomorrow's festivities. In a post on their official Facebook page, the department outlined a concise list of do's and don'ts designed to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees. "NO Cans. NO Bottles. NO Backpacks. NO Coolers. NO Underage Drinking. DON’T Drink and Drive!" the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department post declared, offering a straightforward directive to the revelers planning to partake in the day's merriments.
While the police are known to maintain a vigil over public safety, they also recognize the power of collective responsibility, imploring the public to stay alert with the succinct message: "If you see something, say something." These simple words carry the weight of community-centric policing, the idea that the watchful eyes of citizens are an essential asset to the maintenance of order amid the tapestry of celebration that Mardi Gras weaves. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department post, which can be found here, encapsulates the necessary measures that law enforcement and the community alike can take counteract potential incidents before they unfold.
Traditionally, Mardi Gras has been an event where law enforcement has had to stay on high alert due to the high volume of attendees and the boisterous nature of the festivities. The explicit listing of prohibitions by the St. Louis PD underscores this cautious approach. The emphasis on sobriety among attendees, particularly the prohibition of underage drinking, stresses a zero-tolerance policy for such infractions which could lead to dangerous outcomes.
