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Mardi Gras St. Louis

Mardi Gras St. Louis. Started in the early 1980’s by a few local bars to generate business during a traditionally slow time of the year Held in a historic district (mixed use-business/residential)

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Mardi Gras St. Louis

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  1. Mardi Gras St. Louis • Started in the early 1980’s by a few local bars to generate business during a traditionally slow time of the year • Held in a historic district (mixed use-business/residential) • Each year it grew exponentially with little if any oversight. Estimated crowds 100,000 -300,000 (weather dependent) • In 1999 things erupted into a “riot”

  2. Problem • The City of St. Louis’ initial position immediately following the riot was to disband the event and not issue a parade permit for the following year’s parade. • However, the event had become institutionalized and provided an economic benefit to the community How did St. Louis address/resolve the issue?

  3. Mardi Gras St. Louis-Solution • A task force was formed to assess the problem and propose solutions • Police Department • Neighborhood Association • City/State Liquor Authority • Retailers • Street Department • Fire/EMS

  4. Mardi Gras St. Louis - Solution • A formal organization was formed to run the event. Approximately 100 alcohol vendors both Non Profits and regular retail establishments • Institutional controls were put in place to deal with issues of underage drinking and over service issues • City Liquor Commissioner imposed special rules on the Grand Parade Day.

  5. Mardi Gras St. Louis • Earlier Closing time for all bars in the Festival area. Outside sales end at 8:00 pm Inside at 10:00 pm • Ban on outside liquor in the festival zone (no cans, coolers, bottles or backpacks allowed) • Check points were set up in an eight block red zone – manned by a combination of volunteers and officers conducting spot inspections

  6. Mardi Gras St. Louis - Solution • Many of the folks who had previously attended the event had certain expectations regarding the event. How did St. Louis change the culture and how did the city notify the general public as to the changed rules?

  7. Mardi Gras St. Louis-Notification • Media Amplification was used to notify revelers of the new policies – No outside containers etc – Radio spots, Newspaper Ads, Interviews with reporters • Additionally signs were posted in and around the festival zone • An emphasis was also placed on educating the festival attendees that the festival area was a residential neighborhood and they should be respectful to the property owners who live in the community

  8. Mardi Gras St. Louis - Solution • Increased the number of portable restrooms • Increased the number of trash receptacles • Hired folks to come in immediately after the event and begin trash clean-up • Created a traffic free zone and towed vehicles parked in those areas • Notified potential attendees that there would be a zero tolerance with respect to underage drinking

  9. Problem Identification • The task force identified that one of the problems was that many of the alcohol outlets were staffed by volunteers who had no experience in dispensing alcohol or age verification procedures, nor did they understand their legal liability/responsibility How did the task force address this problem?

  10. Mardi Gras St. Louis • Server training was provided free of charge to all establishments and volunteers working the event • The training was provided by the local Anheuser-Busch Distributor (Lohr Distributing) and Missouri Division of Alcohol & Tobacco Control • Focused on over service issues and identification procedures.

  11. Problem Identification • The task forced identified that many of the problems associated with the event (vandalism, urinating in public, littering etc…) were attributed to underage youth from outside the neighborhood who came to the event due to the ease of access to alcohol. How did the task force address this issue?

  12. Mardi Gras St. Louis • Law Enforcement Task Force was established to increase enforcement at the event ( St. Louis City PD, City Liquor Control, State Liquor Control, Sheriff’s Office) • EUDL Funding was provided for overtime pay to assign additional officers to the event • These officers were assigned to work strictly alcohol related offenses (Minor in Possession etc…)

  13. Mardi Gras St. Louis • Officers assigned to the detail were mandated to go through False Identification Training provided by PIRE/UDETC • Arrangements were made with the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office for a special court date for tickets issued during the event • Pre-determined punishment for those who chose to plead guilty - mandated community service at a later date in the affected neighborhood.

  14. Mardi Gras St. Louis • Command Post was established in a local grade school and equipped with computer terminals, a dispatcher, a booking station and a juvenile officer. • Cameras were placed at strategic intersections and monitored by volunteers who relayed potential problems to the SLMPD – aided in allocation of resources • Any one with outstanding warrants or arrested for serious crimes (assault etc…) was transported from the temporary booking station to SLMPD by the St. Louis City Sheriff’s Department and bond was set

  15. Mardi Gras St. Louis • Anyone arrested for Minor in Possession or minor offenses such as urinating in public was issued a summons and released. (If they lived outside a 50 mile radius of St. Louis they were booked and bond was set) • A rolling database was developed and updated on a regular basis and anyone issued a summons was entered into the database. If they were encountered a second time in the festival zone they were booked and transported to the SLMPD where bond was set. (excel spreadsheet)

  16. Mardi Gras St. Louis - Solution • Each year the program is evaluated and tweaked as necessary • Last three years we have conducted compliance check investigations of the establishments dispensing alcoholic beverages • Increased oversight of industry sponsorship

  17. Mardi Gras St. Louis – The Future What do you see as the challenges for future events?

  18. Mardi Gras St. Louis – The Future • Lack of Resources – We run the risk of backsliding • State budget cuts will limit the ability to conduct enforcement operations at the event • The City is facing similar budget cuts and manpower is limited • New dynamic VIP Tents-Management is difficult • House Parties-Private parties-Unlicensed premises

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