* I’ve seen enough Gasparillas–from a ground-zero perspective–to have noticed the changes. There’s a reason arrests are in single digits–not in the hundreds.
A few years ago, law-enforcement word was sent–to schools and parents–that this was no longer a day without rules or consequences. And then it was enforced. Plus, literally more surveillance and more police–some 2,000 officers–now checking alleys where the action has always been. And a longer parade route with crowds attracted to Curtis Hixon Park also helps.
And two other factors. Liability and the Boston Marathon.
Sooner or later some kid sent to TGH in an alcohol-induced coma is not going to make it. And Boston was a reminder of what a soft target this is. Leave it at that.
If there’s a downside, it means that triage policing remains a reality. Terrorism, public health and old-school safety and crime surveillance are the priorities. So, yes, you still have trespissers.
* Mayor Bob Buckhorn yielded the key to the city to the marauding pirates, but not without the day’s best ad lib. “You know what I think we can do? Build a wall and make the pirates pay for it.”