Mardi Gras Parade Riders Removed for Throwing at Police

New Orleans Mayor cracks down on unsafe behavior, grants NOPD expanded authority to remove floats

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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During the Krewe of Carrollton Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, 41 riders were removed from Float 10 after the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) reported intentional and aggressive throwing of items at parade-goers. In response, Mayor Helena Moreno has taken a firm stance against unsafe behavior, granting the NOPD expanded authority to remove entire floats if any riders engage in reckless conduct. While no criminal charges will be filed, the Krewe of Carrollton has initiated an internal review and pledged to pursue disciplinary measures against those found responsible.

Why it matters

Mardi Gras presents significant safety challenges for the city, with the large crowds and throwing of items from floats creating inherent risks. Krewes, as the organizers of the parades, have a responsibility to ensure the safety of both riders and spectators. The Mayor's crackdown and NOPD's expanded authority aim to prioritize public safety and hold Krewes accountable for the behavior of their members.

The details

During the Krewe of Carrollton parade on February 8, 2026, the NOPD reported that 41 riders on Float 10 were intentionally and aggressively throwing items at parade-goers. In response, Mayor Helena Moreno has granted the NOPD the authority to issue citations, make arrests, and even remove entire floats from the parade route if any riders engage in reckless conduct. The Mayor's zero-tolerance policy comes after she was shown photographic evidence of a young girl injured during the incident.

  • The Krewe of Carrollton parade took place on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
  • On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick announced that no criminal charges would be filed against the riders involved.

The players

Helena Moreno

The Mayor of New Orleans who has taken a firm stance against unsafe behavior during Mardi Gras parades and granted the NOPD expanded authority to ensure public safety.

Anne Kirkpatrick

The Superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) who announced that no criminal charges would be filed against the riders involved in the Krewe of Carrollton incident.

Wayne Lee

The Captain of the Krewe of Carrollton who stated that the Krewe will deal with the incident and hold those responsible accountable through disciplinary measures.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not going to have a bunch of idiots out there on the parade route go try to ruin it for everyone by trying to hurt people.”

— Helena Moreno, Mayor of New Orleans (newsdirectory3.com)

“I was really ticked off about it.”

— Helena Moreno, Mayor of New Orleans (newsdirectory3.com)

“There's not going to be any criminal charges associated with the event. We just want to remind everyone we want our Mardi Gras to be safe.”

— Anne Kirkpatrick, NOPD Superintendent (newsdirectory3.com)

“We're going to deal with it, and if somebody's wrong, they're going to pay the consequences.”

— Wayne Lee, Krewe of Carrollton Captain (newsdirectory3.com)

What’s next

The Krewe of Carrollton has initiated an internal review to address the allegations and determine disciplinary measures for any members found responsible for the unacceptable behavior.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the delicate balance between the festive spirit of Mardi Gras and the need for responsible behavior. The Mayor's response and the Krewe's internal review demonstrate a commitment to prioritizing public safety and holding parade participants accountable, setting a precedent for how other Krewes may address similar issues in the future.