The holidays are over, right?

Well not so fast, because now Mardi Gras is here! It is that time of year where national attention is focused on Louisiana. With multiple parades, numerous balls to attend and lots of visitors, there is much to plan and prepare for, especially for law enforcement.

As we hear about increased threats of terrorism, the challenges to keep our country, state and community safe are never ending. The bad guys would like nothing more than to change our routines or our way of life, especially during events like Mardi Gras.

Plans for safety of the citizens start long before the Mardi Gras season is here.

In St. John Parish there are two parades. Towapahsa will roll at noon Saturday, Feb. 6 in Reserve, and the LaPlace Parade rolls at 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 7.

Both Parades are family oriented events. Towapahsa is great for families with small children. There are no large floats to endanger kids so they can catch all of the throws they want, and parents do not have to worry as much. At the LaPlace Parade, crowds continue to grow every year, and serious Mardi Gras revelers head straight to New Orleans for the Bacchus Parade as soon as our parade ends.

Safety for our citizens has been planned well in advance as the Sheriff’s Office will partner with the Louisiana State Police and members of the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association Task Force to maintain a safe environment.

In addition, ten of our officers will be assisting with security alongside the New Orleans Police Department on St. Charles Avenue on Fat Tuesday. This is a great opportunity for our officers to gain experience in working with much larger crowds.

I would like to offer the following safety tips, as well.

Guys should keep your wallet in your front pocket to prevent theft.

Ladies, if you don’t need a purse, don’t bring one.

Parents, get a good visual memorization of the colors of clothes your child is wearing. It will help you identify them easier in crowds trying to catch throws.

Families that wear the same color shirt in large crowds make it easier to spot your children. And finally, please talk to your children about parade safety before you leave home.

As for me, I am honored to have been selected to reign as King of DuMonde this year.

My daughter, Jasmine, will be my Queen.

The Krewe du Monde Ball will be held on Saturday, Feb. 6 at the Ponchatrian Center in Kenner. The doors open at 6 p.m., and the tableau begins promptly at 7 p.m.

The tickets are available at Formal Connection on Belle Terre in LaPlace or online at krewedumonde.com. The ball is a charitable fundraiser for the LaPlace Lions Club, which supports the National Lion’s Club Eye Foundation, as well as other local non-profit organizations.

So, as we say here in South Louisiana: Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Mike Tregre is Sheriff of St. John the Baptist Parish. He can be reached at sheriff@stjohnsheriff.org.