For years, the Newcomers Parade in Saint Martinville has been a controversial subject. Some city officials question the safety and security of the event, while others say it plays a huge role in St. Martinville’s economy.

The owners of Saints Restaurant on Main Street moved here after Hurricane Katrina. Corey Miles says not only does the parade bring a tremendous amount of tourism to the city as a whole, but small business owners in the area also see a nice profit, “Mardi Gras is an exciting time for the whole city because what it does, gives you the necessary cash to go through the slow summer months.”

Clifton Sylvester Tells KLFY’s Dalfred Jones that bringing his family to the parade is a tradition. Although some have an issue with the lack of barricades, Slyvester says security is effective and efficient, “I feel really safe bringing my daughters and my family into this environment. There’s going to be, pretty much, different levels of violence everywhere you go.”

The St. Martinville city council voted Tuesday to grant the Newcomers Club the permit for the popular parade. Club president, Janice Anthony says they still haven’t been given the green light.

Anthony says St. Martinville police chief, Calder Herbert, requested the professional advice of Joey Sturm, Director of Public Safety at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, on how to best protect revelers along the route.

Sturm’s recommendations include barricading the entire route and increasing security; according to Sturm’s report, the barricades alone would cost more than $200,000.

“Those are some very unrealistic expectations to keep the parade going,” said Anthony. She says if the reccommentoins are not met, “That means that the parade here in St. Martinville after 55 years the parade would cancelled. It’s a very bittersweet time for the community of St. Martinville who always look forward to the Mardi Gras parade.”

Bittersweet because the parade has grown and attracted more people year after year. Council members and the Newcomers Club will discuss the current situation at the upcoming council meeting Tuesday.