Brooklyn Borough President Adams yesterday unveiled an action plan to curb violence on J’Ouvert – the night before the annual West Indian Labor Day Parade down Eastern Parkway that includes doubling the number of police assigned to Crown Heights, East Flatbush and Flatbush, and adding 200 light towers in key areas.
J’Ouvert features all-night parties as various organizations construct their floats for the parades, which sometimes draws criminal elements. It is these elements that are responsible for some violent incidents such as the shooting death of Cuomo Administration attorney Carey Gabay last year, who was caught in the cross-fire between rival gangs last J’Ouvert in Crown Heights.
The action plan also include participants in the parade to now have an official permit, issued to the organizers from J’Ouvert City International. There will also be a #WeAreJOuvert public relations campaign encouraging participants to understand J’Ouvert as a time to celebrate Caribbean culture and to discourage the few individuals who have abused the spirit of the event in their carrying out of criminal and violent behavior.
“Public safety is an all-in commitment, a partnership between community and police to advance the quality of life in our neighborhoods and ensure we have safe spaces to celebrate our cultural pride,” said Adams at Medgar Evers College yesterday.
Adams also praised the partnership of anti-violence advocates, clergy leaders, community stakeholders, elected officials, and local police committed to advancing a safer J’Ouvert celebration.
“I look forward to seeing our city come together in the weeks ahead to raise up the Caribbean spirit that enlivens Brooklyn every summer. Equally important, I ask all Brooklynites to stand with the NYPD and community advocates that are working to advance peace in our streets, rooting out violence from every corner of our borough. J’Ouvert roughly translates to ‘daybreak,’ and this is indeed the breaking of a new day for this valued celebration of culture. #WeAreJOuvert,” he said.
Also at the announcement of the was NYPD Commissioner William J. Bratton, and Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Community Affairs Unit Commissioner Marco Carrión, as well as City Council Member Laurie Cumbo and State Sen. Jesse Hamilton.
“I want to thank Borough President Adams and the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit for their work to bring J’Ouvert under the City’s parade permitting process and for the community outreach efforts, which discourage criminal behavior at the event,” said Bratton. “The NYPD is committed to ensuring public safety at this very well-attended cultural celebration, which will be reflected in the Departmental resources — personnel and equipment — that will be deployed.”
“This #WeAreJOuvert campaign represents a critical step forward in bringing the community and police together to host an inclusive celebration of Caribbean heritage,” said Hamilton. “We need this kind of cross-community engagement, including outreach, establishing partnerships between anti-violence community groups, neighborhood leaders, clergy, and local police. Taken together, these measures will promote a safe, enjoyable celebration for all.”
“Brooklyn is home to one of the largest populations of Caribbeans and Caribbean-Americans in the City of New York,” said Cumbo. “The launch of the #WeAreJOuvert campaign marks the beginning of a new chapter that will ensure a safer event through public education and better community-police relations. I am proud to stand with Borough President Adams, who spearheaded the joint effort between community and City government to preserve J’Ouvert, an annual celebration of Caribbean culture widely attended by residents, revelers, and tourists of all ages every year.”
