NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — The NYPD is planning stricter security measures at J’Ouvert this year in an attempt to curb gun violence, Chief of Department Kenneth Corey told 1010 WINS’ Juliet Papa.
J’Ouvert is a Trinidadian festival that traditionally involves an all-night celebration and a parade to commemorate the end of slavery in Trinidad.
The NYPD modeled their plan for this year’s Sept. 5 J’Ouvert festival in Brooklyn after the Times Square New Year’s Eve party’s security measures.
Revelers will enter checkpoints along the route of the parade where they’ll be screened by police.
Extra manpower will be stationed in nearby neighborhoods ready to respond if needed, and 300 light towers will be placed along the route of the procession.
While the parade doesn’t officially begin until 6 a.m., parties usually start overnight. The NYPD plans to have the added security in place by 2 a.m.
The NYPD has increased security at the festival for the past few years in response to gun violence at the event.
Like this year, police compared security at J’Ouvert to New Year’s Eve in 2017.
No one was killed at the 2017 festival, though a 22-year-old man was shot as the festival wound down.
Many attendees denounced the extra security that year as unnecessarily repressive — feeling that the added police presence disrupted festivities and undermined the spirit of the celebration.
From May 1 to mid-September, up to 30% of shootings in New York City have a precursor involving a large gathering, Corey told 1010 WINS.
The Chief is hoping the added security can prevent gun violence at the event.
The NYPD also distributed a video to about 5,000 new officers explaining the cultural significance of J’Ouvert.
Related
Related
