Leaders discuss security measures for J'Ouvert, West Indian Day Parade on Labor Day

NYPD brass and community officials held a “ceasefire” meeting earlier in the week with young men and women in an effort to convince them to not engage in violence during Labor Day’s upcoming J’Ouvert celebration and the West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn.

“It was a message of tough love,” NYPD chief of patrol Jeffrey Maddrey told reporters about the Wednesday ceasefire meeting during a news conference Friday in advance of the return of the big New York City celebration of Caribbean culture since the pandemic forced cancellation of the event in 2020 and 2021.

Police have made it a practice over the years to hold so-called “ceasefire” contacts with at risk youths and suspected gang members as a way of forestalling problems and providing them with resources.

“We gave the message to take back to your friends, to your community that this is a day of celebration, this is a good day,” Maddrey said. “We don’t want any problems out here. We don’t want problems any day. But this weekend in particular, the message is very clear ... we don’t want any fights, [anyone] to engage in any violence, to carry any weapons.”

The J’Ouvert celebration, which begins in the early morning hours of Labor Day before the big parade, had been the scene of shootings, homicides and other violence over the years. But after police set up controlled access points and bag screening for the 2019 J’Ouvert celebration — the last time before the festival was held before the pandemic — there were no reports of violence, Assistant Chief Michael Kemper said.

“We want to have a safe and enjoyable weekend,” said Pastor Gilford Monrose, executive director for the Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships. The outlet serves as a bridge between city government and communities and faith organizations throughout the city.

Maddrey and other officials held the news conference at the Carey Gabay center in Brooklyn, named after an aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo who was killed by stray gunfire during the 2016 festivities.

The J’Ouvert festivities will begin around 6 a.m. on Monday by Grand Army Plaza and our about five hours will encompass an area south to Nostrand Avenue and Rutland Road. Police will establish 13 entry points were celebrants and parade participants will be screened by cops, electronically and have bags check for liquor and firearms, Kemper said.

The West Indian Day Parade, which in the past has attracted well over a million spectators, will begin at 11 a.m. at Ralph Avenue and Eastern Parkway and will proceed west toward Grand Army Plaza. The parade is expected to end at about 6 p.m.

By Anthony M. DeStefano

tony.destefano@newsday.comtonynewsday

Anthony M. DeStefano has been a reporter for Newsday since 1986 and covers law enforcement, criminal justice and legal affairs from its New York City offices.