Law enforcement increased presence at Soulard’s Mardi Gras 2026 to ensure safety for attendees.
Law enforcement took an all-hands-on deck approach with safety for Soulard’s Mardi Gras 2026.
St. Louis police along with other departments had lots of officers patrolling the streets to ensure everyone felt safe.
Tabitha Perkins with Moms Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Missouri said while Mardi Gras is a ton of fun, it can also be dangerous.
«Mardi Gras is a time for celebration and for the whole community to come together… but that celebration and that unity should never cost somebody their life,» Perkins said.
She said it’s actually cheaper to make the right decisions.
«It’s $25-30 for a rideshare. You can spend that easily at a bar that evening, so if you can afford to go to a bar, you can afford a rideshare,» Perkins said. «An average DWI can cost you between $5,000-7,000 to get through the justice process… Imagine an uber or a Lyft… it’s a few dollars compared to that.»
Both police and other city leaders are working around the clock to ensure everything runs smoothly this evening.
«With the Highway Patrol, with St. Louis County… there is not just city agencies working well together — this is a whole state effort to make sure we have the best posture for the city of St. Louis,» said Gregg Favre with the city’s emergency management agency.
Police Chief Robert Tracy said there were no «major incidents» during Mardi Gras 2026, but there were lesser crimes like theft and minors under the influence.
«(We gave out) 20 minor in possession citations. We talked about underage drinking. We gave out summons: all these people were 18 and above but not 21,» Chief Tracy said.