Free fun on the streets of Mobile? Yes, as long as you know the rules. Otherwise, it can get pretty expensive. The fine for crossing a barricade is $298! And getting your car towed will cost you $125! Check out this info from Mobile Police--
Mardi Gras Information and Safety Tips--January 21, 2017
Mobile Police want to remind the public of the following Mardi Gras information and safety tips:
Towed Vehicles
Towed vehicles will be will be taken to a temporary impound lot at Water and Monroe Streets. The temporary fenced lot is located between the former Roussos Restaurant and the Mobile Cruise Terminal under the I-10 roadway.
The lot will be open until 11:00 p.m. each parade night. Vehicles not retrieved by that time will be moved to the permanent impound facility behind the Mobile Police Department Training Academy at 1251 Virginia Street.
Cost to retrieve a vehicle from either of the impound lots is $125. Only cash, debit cards or Master Card 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 and Canal Streets is prohibited. There will be RV parking underneath I-10 at Canal and Water Streets for a fee.
Lost Children
Police are emphasizing that parents 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.
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 and the children will be taken to the downtown mini-precinct at 320 Dauphin Street until they can be reunited.
Parade Information
Citizens are being asked to refrain from calling 911 or the Mobile Police Department's non-emergency number for Mardi Gras information requests. Those requests should be address by dialing 311, the city's information line, or to www.311.cityofmobile.org.
Other safety tips include:
- Attend parades in groups, with family or friends.
- 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 details arrest violators.
- If you need police assistance during a parade, go to the nearest intersection and advise a uniformed police officer.
- Choose a well-lit area for night parade viewing.
- Establish a post-parade meeting place for family and friends in case you become separated.
- Park vehicles in secure areas and do not leave valuables in plain sight. Utilize the trunk to store valuables.
- Uniformed and plainclothes officers will be patrolling behind the crowds to identify and arrest persons engaging in criminal activity.
- Pets are prohibited during the parades downtown.
- Skateboards and motorized scooters are prohibited.
Recycling
While at Mardi Gras on the final four days of the season (Saturday-Tuesday) recycling containers will be set up throughout the downtown area for you to recycle plastics and aluminum cans. Please help create a cleaner Mardi Gras through recycling! There will be recycling stations set up in Bienville Square, Cathedral Square, the new Mardi Gras Park, and Spanish Plaza marked by high flying flags to bring greater visibility to the area. Parade-goers are encouraged to recycle their plastic bottles and aluminum cans at these locations, at additional recycle containers placed throughout downtown Mobile, and during the parades when the Eco-Team rolls by with their recycle carts.