MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) "It all could have been avoided." That's the opinion of Mobile police spokesman Chris Levy.
He was referring to an incident that happened outside of the Mobile Civic Center before Saturday night's Conde Explorers Mardi Gras parade in Downtown Mobile.
An argument ignited between police officers and Terrance Bridges, the president of the Conde Explorers and a Captain with Mobile Fire Rescue.
Police say he made those identities very clear when officers asked Bridges to get off the parade route if he wasn't part of the parade.
"They walked over and asked him if he was taking part in the parade and if not, he had to clear the roadway," said Levy. "He began to holler at the officers and began to curse at them."
According to the officers, the yelling and cursing got worse, until they escorted Bridges to a spot behind a barricade.
The officers say Bridges continued to yell and curse, pushing his way back on to the street where he was then arrested, charged with disorderly conduct, failure to obey a police officer, and public intoxication.
"These officers, their choices were taken away from them because of his behavior and they had to make that arrest," said Levy.
But what about Bridges side of the story? For now, he will only say he was simply trying to get two youngsters on a float.
Bridges tells Local 15 News he plans to give his side of the story, through his attorney, maybe Tuesday after after a Conde Explorers board meeting Monday night.
Meanwhile, the Fire Department is conducting an internal investigation as well.
