New York City's West Indian American Day Parade will conclude earlier than in previous years in an effort to reduce violence, officials announced Friday. The 59th annual celebration along Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn is scheduled to end at 5:30 p.m. on Monday.
"That end time is deliberate, given the history of violence we have seen on and around the parade route at that hour and later," NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Last year, six people were shot in three separate incidents near the parade route between approximately 5:35 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., leading the NYPD to shut down the festivities.
Thousands of police officers will be deployed for both the parade and the J’Ouvert Festival, which precedes it, beginning at 6 a.m. The number of officers on duty for the events celebrating Caribbean culture and heritage has been increased from the previous year, according to the department. "Thousands of NYPD cops will be on the parade routes and in the surrounding neighborhoods from Sunday night through Monday. This is one of our department’s largest deployments of the year at this time," Tisch stated.
The J’Ouvert Festival will feature 13 entry points along the parade route, where attendees will be screened by police using magnetometers starting around 2 a.m. Revelers will be prohibited from bringing drones, weapons, alcohol, coolers, backpacks, large bags, umbrellas, blankets, chairs, or any items that could obstruct others' views.
Additionally, eight teams from the NYC Crisis Management System and community volunteers will be stationed at key locations along the parade route and in adjacent neighborhoods. These teams will engage in outreach, mediate conflicts, and intervene in disputes before they escalate. Mobile trauma units will also be deployed in areas with large crowds.
The carnival atmosphere on Labor Day has historically been marred by violence. In 2015, a former aide to then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo was fatally shot during the J’Ouvert celebration. Last year's parade ended early after six people were injured in shootings as the event wound down.
Officials stated there are no specific or credible threats against the parade. "But for too long, a select few have been mistaking the West Indian Day Parade as an opportunity to commit acts of violence," Tisch said. "This year, there will be zero tolerance for violence of any kind. We want everyone to come out and enjoy the celebration safely."