TAMPA, Fla. – The City of Tampa once again saw a successful and safe Gasparilla celebration, as thousands of revelers flocked to the annual pirate-themed festival in honor of the legendary pirate, Jose Gaspar. The event, a staple of Tampa culture for more than a century, was made possible by the coordinated efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
This year, law enforcement officials worked across land, air, and sea to ensure public safety, with Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw praising the collective effort that resulted in a largely incident-free celebration.
“Hosting an event of this size requires incredible teamwork and coordination,” said Chief Bercaw. “I want to extend my gratitude to all the Tampa Police officers and supporting agencies whose dedication helped ensure the safety of the parade for everyone involved.”
READ: Tampa Mobilizes For Massive Post-Gasparilla Clean-Up Effort
At the conclusion of the 2025 Gasparilla parade, Tampa Police reported the following preliminary statistics:
- 9 Total Misdemeanor Arrests
- 3 Total Felony Arrests
- 3 Boating Under the Influence (BUI) Arrests
- 0 Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Arrests
- 0 Missing/Lost Persons Reports
The successful execution of security measures allowed residents and visitors to revel in the Gasparilla tradition without major incident. The low number of arrests and lack of missing persons reports reflect the effectiveness of the multi-agency security approach.
Gasparilla, a century-old celebration honoring the legendary (and likely mythical) pirate Jose Gaspar, continues to be a beloved event for the City of Tampa. The dedication of law enforcement officials ensures that this vibrant tradition can be enjoyed safely by all.
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