Security Heightened at West Indian American Day Parade
Following last year’s tragic shooting, the atmosphere was charged with increased security as the mayoral candidates took to the streets of Brooklyn for the West Indian American Day parade on Monday. It was a bustling event, attracting hundreds of thousands.
The parade, which covers around two miles, kicked off at 11 AM on Utica Avenue near Lincoln Terrace Park. The crowd moved westward toward the Brooklyn Museum, all the while under the watchful eye of a bolstered NYPD presence aimed at keeping the peace.
Harold Harvey, a 71-year-old from Grenada who has lived in Crown Heights since 1979, shared his thoughts: “I like it. There are police officers around. They’re mingling with people.” He also noted that the noticeable police presence could deter troublemakers.
Among the attendees were Mayor Eric Adams, Democratic hopeful Zoran Mamdani, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, all marching alongside supporters as the November elections loom.
Local leaders were also spotted, including Governor Kathy Hochul, who paraded with Pastor Al Sharpton, as well as New York Attorney General Letitia James.
As lively music filled the air, officers even participated in dancing, adding to the festive mood adorned with flags.
The celebrations kicked off with J’ouvert, a traditional dawn festival marking the start of the carnival, where participants donned colorful paint, oil, and powder. They danced energetically in the dim light before the full-day festivities began.
Maureen Bellinger, a 77-year-old retired social worker originally from Trinidad, reminisced about her experiences: “When I was young, I was with my mother. When my kids were young, I took them to continue the tradition… I’m having a good time,” she said, clearly lost in the music.
Harvey described the event as a way to feel connected to his roots. “This makes me feel good and brings me closer to home today. Everyone’s waving flags from different countries, but it’s all one – it’s the Caribbean!”
In a troubling reflection on past events, Cuomo noted the heightened security in light of previous violence, including the tragic death of his aide Carey Gabay during a gang-related incident in 2015. “His life was taken away while he was doing everything right,” Cuomo remarked, recalling Gabay’s contributions to the community.
While pre-dawn celebrations had been peaceful for three years, the parade itself did experience violence last year, with a fatal shooting and several injuries reported. This year, a considerable police presence was charted, with thousands of officers deployed, including 2,500 stationed throughout the city.
Participants had to navigate through numerous security checkpoints along the route, where they underwent screening, including the use of handheld metal detectors. For added safety, barricades lined the parade path more so than before.
Harvey expressed appreciation for the enhanced security measures, saying, “I don’t mind being searched. It’s for our safety. That’s good.” Another attendee, Oslin, in her 70s and a parade-goer since 1989, echoed this sentiment, mentioning how the police efficiently handled any escalating situations. “It’s great that there are more police here, and you’ll even see a helicopter overhead,” she noted. “It definitely blocks those bad elements, and I think that’s a good thing. I praise the mayor and the police chief.”
