News Releases

2020 Mardi Gras Safety Tips and Important Information

Feb 6th, 2020

The Mobile Police Department has provided the following Mardi Gras safety tips and information on towed vehicles, lost children and parade inquiries.

Safety Tips & Things Prohibited

• Attend parades in groups, with family or friends.
• Park vehicles in secure areas and do not leave valuables in plain sight. Utilize the trunk to store valuables.
• Establish a post-parade meeting place for family and friends in case you become separated.
• Choose a well-lit area for night parade viewing.
• If you need police assistance during a parade, go to the nearest intersection and advise a uniformed police officer.
• Glass containers are prohibited by city ordinance.
• Do not follow floats. Violators may be arrested.
• Do not throw any object in the direction of floats, band members or any parade participants.  Violators may be arrested.
• Materials known as “Silly String” and “Snap & Pops” along with similar products are illegal.  Possession of any these products may result in arrest.
• Do not cross the barricades. Each officer will be carrying a ticket book and will be issuing citations for the offense. The fine for crossing the barricades is $298.
• No underage drinking is allowed. Special undercover police will arrest violators.
• Uniformed and plainclothes officers will be patrolling behind the crowds to identify and arrest persons engaging in criminal activity.
• Golf carts are not allowed on the roadway or sidewalks.
• Skateboards are prohibited.
• Pets and other animals that are not part of the parade are prohibited. Pet means any animal, fowl, reptile, or any other such usual, unusual or exotic pet kept or owned by any person or persons. Any person found in violation will be punished by a fine of $25, not including court costs and fees.

Towed Vehicles

Towed vehicles will be taken to a Temporary Impound Lot at Royal Street and Madison Street. The temporary fenced lot is located beside the Mobile Cruise Terminal near the I-10 roadway.

The Temporary Impound Lot stays open 1 hour and 30 minutes after the end of each parade.  Vehicles not retrieved by that time will be moved to the permanent impound facility located behind the Mobile Police Academy at 1251 Virginia Street. The phone number to call if your vehicle was towed during Mardi Gras is 251-690-7074 or 251-690-7077.

The cost to retrieve a vehicle from either of the impound lots is $125. Only cash, debit cards or Mastercard and Visa credit cards will be accepted.  Motorists picking up their towed vehicles must present a valid driver’s license, proof of ownership (registration, a tag receipt, etc.) and proof of current insurance.

Most vehicles are towed because of parking violations.  The Mobile Police Department will begin closing streets in the downtown area one hour before each scheduled parade. Non-parking areas will be designated by signage, including special gold Mardi Gras “No Parking” signs along the parade routes.

RV parking on the medians along Claiborne Street and Canal Street is prohibited.  There will be RV parking underneath I-10 at Canal and Water Streets for a fee.

Lost Children

Police urge parents to make every effort to place an identity card in their child’s pocket in the event they become separated from each other. The card should provide the name of the child, address, telephone contact numbers and the name of a relative. Or parents can pick up a MyMPD Carnival Badge, which is free of charge, at police headquarters or any precinct.

In the event parents and children are separated, children should be instructed to go to the nearest police officer.  Police will attempt to contact the parents. The children will be taken to the downtown precinct located at 320 Dauphin Street until they can be reunited with parents.

Parade Inquiries

Citizens are asked to refrain from calling 911 or the Mobile Police Department’s non-emergency number for Mardi Gras information requests. Those requests can be addressed by dialing 311, the city’s information line, or go to www.311.cityofmobile.org. 

CLICK HERE FOR MARDI GRAS PARADE SCHEDULES AND ROUTES.