Safety is in the spotlight at Boston’s Caribbean festival that’s taking place this weekend. But it comes in the wake of last year’s events ending abruptly in the aftermath of a shooting.
Boston's Caribbean Carnival is set to kick off Saturday, but community members are drawing attention to growing safety concerns for the celebration.
They say security efforts should be stepped up for this year's event.
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Boston police say it's "all hands-on deck" for the Caribbean Carnival this weekend. However, the police union said this week that there aren't enough officers to cover both citywide patrols and large-scale events.
As a result, there are concerns being raised about safety, especially after last year where eight people were shot near the parade route of the Caribbean Carnival.
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Add to that, the fears following last week's shooting in Franklin Park as the Dominican Festival was wrapping up. That left five people injured.
NBC10 Boston spoke with City Councilor Julia Mejia earlier this week, who said community members need to be brought into the conversation to help police prevent the violence.
But Mejia also said education is key, and we need to stop assuming these community celebrations will turn violent.
"So that narrative around this being specifically because it’s the Caribbean Festival or the Dominican Festival…what it does is it creates this narrative about people of color, that we can't have good things because we don't know how to act," said Mejia.
Mejia said one way the community needs to be part of the solution — is to step up and say something when violence does happen.
J'Ouvert Parade: New location and timing
Boston's Transportation Department released an update Friday, saying changes have been made to the J'ouvert Parade route. This year, the parade will take place exclusively on Circuit Drive in Franklin Park, from 6-10 a.m., starting near the Shattuck Hospital and proceeding along Circuit Drive toward Blue Hill Avenue. They said Circuit Drive will be closed to motor vehicle traffic and parking from late Friday night until Sunday morning.
Traffic and parking restrictions
To minimize disruption and ensure community safety, several traffic and parking restrictions will be in place:
- Warren Street: Closed from Dale Street to Blue Hill Avenue.
- Blue Hill Ave: Closed from Quincy Street to American Legion Highway.
- Columbia Road: Outbound traffic will be rerouted at Geneva Avenue.
- Blue Hill Ave: Inbound traffic will turn left on Harvard Avenue; outbound traffic will turn right on Harvard Street.
- Columbus Avenue: Traffic will be directed onto Walnut Avenue at the intersection with Seaver Street and Walnut Avenue.
- Seaver Street: No vehicle traffic toward Blue Hill Avenue.
Additional street closures
- Walnut Avenue: Closed between Glen Road and Columbus Avenue from Friday at 9 p.m. until Sunday at 6 a.m.
- Talbot Avenue: Closed between Blue Hill Avenue and Bernard Street from Friday at 11:59 p.m. until Sunday at 6 a.m.
- Circuit Drive: Closed between Morton Street and Blue Hill Avenue from Friday at 11 p.m. until Sunday at 6 a.m.
- American Legion Highway: No planned closure, but it will be closed as needed.
Caribbean Parade: Formation and route
The Caribbean Parade will begin forming at Martin Luther King Boulevard and Warren Street at 11 a.m. The parade will step off at 1 p.m. and end at 6 p.m. Officers will be stationed along the route to redirect traffic away from the parade.
Post-parade cleanup and safety measures
After the parades conclude at 6 p.m. on Saturday, streets will be cleaned and cleared. No loitering will be allowed in the area. Late-night and overnight activities will be limited.
