The popular Carlotta Street block party, a 35-year Baton Rouge tradition, is being planned for two separate nights by two separate Facebook events, one for Friday, Oct. 29, and one for Saturday, Oct. 30.
BRPD officials, who provides security for the event, say the party can commence on Friday or Saturday nights or both, as long as the proper permits are acquired first.
Sgt. Don Kelly, BRPD spokesman, said the security costs for the permit are less for Friday night because more on-duty officers are available then, but organizers can still acquire one at a higher cost for Saturday.
“On any other night of the week the permit holder would be required to hire many more off-duty officers at their own expense,” Kelly said in an e-mail. “It’s just that the security costs to the permit holder would be significantly less on a Friday night.”
On Oct. 15, The Daily Reveille incorrectly published that police were only allowing the Friday event.
The Facebook event for the Saturday-night party has more than 1,450 “attending” guests, and the Friday-night party has nearly 700.
“There’s no doubt in my mind if there’s a party on Saturday, the cops will come and shut it down,” said Jared Loftus, North Gate Merchants Association president. “The cops are very much aware of what’s going on.”
Jay Price, an advocate for the Saturday party, said if BRPD has enough officers and time to shut down the Saturday party, then they should have enough time to provide security for the night.
“That’s really the problem we’re having,” Price said. “It’s about the way we’re being handled.”
Loftus said it would cost $13,000 to pay for the 40 needed police officers for Saturday night.
Loftus wants the neighborhood to get what it wants, but he is an administrator for the Facebook group advocating the Friday party.
“We’re only interested in helping to facilitate a safe, sanctioned party in the neighborhood,” Loftus said. “If they want it on Saturday, we want it to be on Saturday. The issue is whether the city will allow for a party on Saturday.”
The 5,000- to 10,000-attendee block party is a community-based event. Price, who has lived in the area for 12 years, said partygoers are welcomed into Carlotta Street residents’ homes.
Price said he is the “de facto representative” of the Saturday party.
“It’s going to happen Saturday regardless of what I have to say about the issue or what anybody says about the issue,” Price said. “Probably 300 to 400 will show up Saturday regardless of what we do.”
Price said the party date has only ever changed days eight times when there were LSU home football games. He said there has never been conflict or a history of violence.
Kelly said the Carlotta Street party got out of hand a few years ago.
“Since then we have worked closely with area residents and the North Gate merchants to do everything we can to help facilitate a safe, legal event, and we’re doing so again this year,” Kelly said.
Kelly said BRPD has no objection to the annual event but is obligated to make sure it is conducted lawfully and safely.
Price, Loftus and BRPD officers will meet Monday to discuss the event.
 
 
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Contact Catherine Threlkeld at [email protected]