The New Orleans City Council has approved new rules and fines for Carnival parades for the upcoming season.
The council approved changes for riders, parade-goers, and marching groups.
One of the most significant changes targets the so-called “Krewe of Chad.”
Those found tying ladders together or setting up grills or tents along the parade route will now face misdemeanor charges and civil fines of $1,000 for the first offense and $2,000 for the second.
Council President JP Morrell said one of the biggest changes is moving up start times for parades, which will reduce overtime costs for police.
“That is important because A, it helps reduce costs in overtime and B, and more importantly, it allows our men and women in EMS, in police, in sanitation, to actually go home between parades and actually go home and sleep,” he said.
For riders, glass items, except for glass beads, will be prohibited, along with tobacco products, smoking items, alcohol and any throws weighing over 3.5 pounds.
Darren Mire with the Krewe of Zulu said the new rules will make parades safer.
“We want to make sure everybody is safe, we don’t want to cause anything where people are throwing something over that’s heavy and it can hurt someone, also it can cause some kind of fight in the crowd, fighting over a big object,” he said.
The new rules also state that bands can no longer stop to perform while the parade is moving.
The concern is that when bands stop to perform, it unnecessarily lengthens the parade and creates gaps, which can be dangerous.
Vehicular marching groups, such as the Shriners, will also face limits on the number of vehicles allowed per parade.
Additionally, the New Orleans Police Department is considering expanding no-parking and staging times for parades from two hours to four.
READ MORE:Big changes are coming to next year’s Carnival season. Here’s what you need to know
