Baldwin Police Chief Anthony Gibson tells KQKI News that due to recent shootings in the town and ongoing road construction on Highway 90 in the Baldwin area, they have decided to cancel the town’s 2025 Mardi Gras parade.
The Baldwin Police Department responded to two shootings in the last week, including one on Tuesday night which left three victims hospitalized with non-life threating injuries. Another shooting incident on Friday afternoon didn’t result in injuries, but a vehicle was damaged by gunfire. Gibson said he is frustrated because of the shootings happening in such a small town where everyone loves each other. He added he doesn’t want to see a parent or grandparent have to walk behind the casket of a loved one due to violence. Gibson also said he is meeting with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday afternoon in an effort to form a task force to prevent violence and also meeting with council members later in the evening to request additional funds for more officers.
Gibson also said because of one direction of Highway 90 being closed due to road construction, Highway 182 through Baldwin is used as a detour for motorists, so the DOTD has informed him that the town is not allowed to hold up traffic for a parade.