ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Although the major Mardi Gras festivities in St. Louis have been moved to virtual-type events, the city isn't taking the weekend off from enforcing some rules like years past. They sent out a warning this week about avoiding gathering on top of building roofs, decks and balconies.
The St. Louis Department of Public Safety shared a letter to let people know that they will be still enforcing all "codes and ordinances pertaining to illegal assemblies, structures" and more. They say the Building Division will have staff "on duty."
Related
This time of year is when the annual Soulard Mardi Gras parade would have taken place, but most of the events have become virtual or drive-through experiences to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Check out the events scheduled for this weekend on STLMardisGras.org.
But the city appears to still be ready in case things get out of hand at private events.
"The Building Division wants to war you of the dangerous and illegal practice of using rooftops for celebratory purposes. We would also like to warn the public that overcrowding & overloading decks and balconies well beyond their design loads is prohibited," the letter reads.
One of the last serious injuries due to a collapsed balcony during Mardi Gras in Soulard was in 2016. At least five people were hurt when the balcony suddenly pulled away from the wall of a building.
© 2020 KMOX (Entercom). All rights reserved