Council conditionally approves March 4 block party permit for Drayon Levine, requires insurance, security and completed petitions

The Abbeville City Council granted a variance and conditional approval for a special-event permit filed by Drayon Levine to hold a block event on March 4, 2025, on a stretch of Waddigro from IJ Joiner Green to Vernon Streets, provided the applicant supplies required insurance, private security and finalized neighbor petitions before the event.

Drayon Levine, the applicant, described plans to revive a community Mardi Gras celebration; he said security will be provided and that some neighbors along the route have signed petitions. The council and the police chief explained the city's special-event ordinance requires completed petitions, proof of insurance and a private security plan when a city street is closed or when public-safety risk is present. The ordinance's 30-day submission requirement was noted; council approved a variance because the application was late.

Councilman Bruce North moved to grant a variance and conditionally approve the permit pending verification of signatures, proof of insurance and an approved security plan; the motion carried. The chief of police will determine the necessary level of private security based on estimated attendance and may order the event closed if noise complaints or other problems occur. Council members stressed that signing the petition does not waive a neighbor's right to complain about noise; they asked the chief and Mr. Levine to agree on volume controls and on clean-up plans following the event.

Next steps: Mr. Levine must submit the completed petition, proof of insurance and a private-security plan to tax and permit staff for verification; the chief and tax-and-permit staff will confirm compliance before the event.