NEW ORLEANS—
The party is on in the French quarter.But for this carnival season where is the line drawn between a good time and breaking the law?
Revelers are ready for a wild weekend in the French quarter.
It's Thursday and the fun has already begun.
Beads are being thrown from balconies; some just because, but other beads come at a price.
"What did you do to get those beads? G-rated? Yes, I can't say," said Lupe Murrieta visiting from San Diego.
"I've seen (expletive), I've seen (expletive), I've seen (expletive). I ain't seen a (expletive), I don't wanna see a (expletive), but I've seen expletive, and (expletive)," said Blake Johnson from New York.
It's an age old tradition during Mardi Gras season, the more skin you show, the more beads you walk away with.
This group is here from Nashville Tennessee. two hours and they've already gotten an eye full of well, memories.
"Laughing... (expletive) and they were beautiful," Johnson said.
"We've seen old, young, fat, pretty, attractive, and I saw a grandma with a thong walking down the sidewalk, said Oliver Kuntz from Nashville. "that was disgusting."
But wait; there is a law against the tradition for guys and gals. but most will tell you it's been there experience that new Orleans police will cut offenders some slack.
This man says they should.
"They need to look the other way. nobody is trying to cause problems. just trying to have a good time," said Johnson.
And that's how police see it, in most cases.
We asked new Orleans police spokeswoman sheerest Harper, where the line is drawn for having a good time during Mardi Gras weekend.
The main concern for police is crowd control. in other words, keep it moving.
"When the crowd is at a stand still, that is when problems can occur," Harper said. "people open themselves up for pick pockets, that's when fights can ensue as a result of people drinking and judgment can be slightly altered."
That is easy enough for this crew.
Another offense that's seen often near bourbon is public urination. because there are no public restrooms at area businesses, and given all the drinking that goes on, some people can't wait.
"As long as you're not (expletive) on the street it's cool," Johnson said.
But that was exactly the case for a group of women between parked cars.
Perhaps it was their attempt to hide what is not easily overlooked by police.
"As a man, if I got a coke can in the car it's going to go down," said Johnson.
Harper says officers use discretion during Mardi Gras.
Some of the most egregious offenders could pay a pretty hefty fine or be summonsed to appear in court.
Because the risk is greater for failing to appear for visitors; they are more likely to be arrested for breaking city ordinances.
