NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) — New York City officials laid out their plans on Friday to ensure a safe celebration for the annual J’ouvert and West Indian Day Carnival on Labor Day.

Marking the biggest change from last year, the carnival will be cut down by 30 minutes for 2026, set to wrap up at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced. It comes in response to three shootings that injured six people during last year’s parade, which forced the NYPD to shut celebrations down early.


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“For too long, a select few have mistaken the West Indian Day Parade as an opportunity to commit acts of violence,” said Tisch during Friday’s press conference. “This year there will be zero tolerance for violence of any kind.”

J’ouvert security

NYPD officers will begin stationing along the parade route from Sunday night ahead of J’ouvert celebrations on Monday morning. Beginning as early as 2 a.m., attendees will be screened for weapons and alcohol at 13 checkpoints for entry into J’ouvert.

Street closures will begin at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday and last through 11 a.m. on Monday.

Nostrand Avenue from Empire Boulevard to Rutland Road

Flatbush Avenue from Grand Army Plaza to Empire Boulevard

Empire Boulevard from Flatbush Avenue to Nostrand Avenue

The following items will not be permitted into J’ouvert:

drones

weapons 

alcohol

coolers

backpacks

large bags

blankets 

umbrellas

large chairs


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West Indian Day Carnival security

Multiple police units and teams from the New York City Office of Community Safety will be deployed to prevent violence and intercept conflicts before they escalate during the parade on Monday.

Eight teams of more than 300 community safety staff have already been deployed at hotspots along the parade route to educate the public on crisis management teams that will be present on Monday, according to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

During the parade, the teams will be responsible for mediating conflicts, responding to crises, interrupting conflicts before they escalate and using mobile trauma units to connect people with medical help as needed, Mamdani said.

Dozens of NYPD resources are also being poured into the event to ensure a safe and enjoyable time for New Yorkers. Among them include:

emergency Service Units

aviation and mounted units

K9 and Counter Terrorism teams

field intelligence agents

the bomb squad

NYPD drones

counter drone team


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“It is one of the most joyous days of the year,” said Mamdani on Friday. “We know, however, in the past this parade has been accompanied by unacceptable violence, making it difficult for New Yorkers to celebrate joyfully and safely. That is why City Hall’s Office of Community Safety, the NYPD and our partners in the Crisis Management System have developed a comprehensive security plan to ensure that this year’s West Indian Day Parade and J’ouvert can run smoothly and safely.”

Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here.