This year, Galveston is hosting Texas’ largest event, Mardi Gras, happening from Feb. 21 to March 4, 2025, and many Houston residents are excited!
When you think of Mardi Gras, you instantly picture the French Quarter, beignets, beads, music, and high energy. However, this year, many are also focusing on public safety.
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After the tragic events in New Orleans, many local residents have raised concerns about the safety of those involved in or attending the festival. Recently, we reached out to the public information officer for both the Galveston Police Department and the Galveston Fire Department, who provided the following statement:
“Galveston hosts special events throughout the year, and in the lead-up to each event, we conduct comprehensive security and emergency incident planning. We prepare for a variety of emergency scenarios, including weather, crime, and terrorism.
“On Wednesday, following the incident in New Orleans, our special events director met with city management to discuss Galveston’s response to a hypothetical similar situation and ways we could best prepare. The next day, another small meeting was held with staff, including representatives from special events, the GPD, and traffic departments, to continue these discussions.
“The city already employs concrete and water barriers, and staff explored additional methods to stage city vehicles to block all vehicular access to event spaces. Furthermore, we regularly enhance our law enforcement presence during special events, including mutual aid from partner agencies such as the DPS, Sheriff’s Office, and surrounding police departments, along with plain-clothed officers monitoring for suspicious activity.
“The city will continue to implement these precautions to ensure safety during special events.”
Although more details are expected to be released regarding the Galveston police and fire departments, the event is set to proceed as planned and is expected to have a major turnout this year.
If you’re considering getting tickets early for this festivity, make sure to check out their website today!
