17 arrested, 127 cars towed during St Patrick’s Day celebrations. “The status quo can no longer be acceptable,” says Flynn
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is widely recognized in greater New England, for better or worse, as a chance to get drunk in Southie. While porch beers are a longstanding tradition, recent years have seen an increase in public drunkenness, violent assaults, and huge parties.
Authorities warned that this year they would crack down on out-of-control behavior during the festivities.
Police say 17 parade-goers were arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute, assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, and affray – The fighting together of two or more people in a public place to the terror of others.
The Boston Transportation Department reported towing 127 cars off the parade route alone, with additional vehicles removed from the neighborhood for parking in front of fire hydrants and in no-stop zones.
MBTA Police reported to have confiscated over 50 drinks, including 33 “black out rage gallons” (BORGs), and one entire handle of Jägermeister at Broadway Station within the parade’s first hour.
The MBTA predicted upwards of one million riders coming into the neighborhood on Sunday and implemented shuttle buses, expanded rush-hour services, and even bypassed Broadway entirely during periods of high traffic.
311 received a litany of reports alleging everything from rooftop partying to “people pissing on our property constantly.” Monday morning, reports continued to request street and station clean-up and the removal of leftover police barricades.
Councilor Ed Flynn said he would call for a City Council hearing to discuss all public safety aspects of Evacuation Day & St. Patrick’s Day parade, including police staffing levels, arrests made for violence and public drinking, and medical emergencies.
“A major focus of the monthly parade meetings I’ve held for two years with partners in government has been the public safety risks associated with large rooftop parties of people drinking alcohol with no roof deck to speak of,” Flynn said. During the parade, the councilor received three reports of such parties just off the parade route.
“I can’t support a parade where young spectators continue to view this event as anything goes or Mardi Gras, with little to no regard for those who live in the community,” Flynn said.
“Many visitors arrived from outside the city and disrespected my South Boston neighbors, our veterans, and military families. Veterans, military families, our seniors, persons with disabilities, young families, and South Boston residents deserve our utmost respect. The status quo can no longer be acceptable!”
Jacob Downey is a contributor to Caught in Dot. He is formerly of The Clock, Plymouth State University’s award-winning student newspaper. He enjoys spending time with his two kittens – Gin and Tonic – reading Uncanny X-Men and writing about local government meetings.
Own your drunks / if you never been to New Orleans and seein both sides of Mardi Gras from the quarters to uptown, you don’t need to be passing judgment on our party.
The balconies are made of wrought iron and they are inspected yearly.
It’s just not a good time anymore. We are invaded by disrespectful drunken out of towners . Pissing in driveways and alleys. I attempted to watch the parade only to have a half a dozen drunken losers repeatedly scream obscenities at the marchers in the parade. The police can only do so much & the zero drinking in public threat was a joke. Let’s move it down town like a sports parade.
I brought my 13 year old son from out of town. We did the 5k first and walked to the end of the parade route to watch. I was shocked at the amount of police presence. There were so many between bicycles and motorcycles (I took pictures) plus those we passed on the street. Any event with that many people is bound to have some outbreaks with behavior (considering the age group that was predominantly in attendance). I won’t condone any of it but I do wish there were more bathrooms available for everyone. Girls kept coming up to me asking if I knew where they could go. We had a great group of young adults around us. Yes they were drinking, but they were pleasant and looking out for others while enjoying themselves.
I don’t want to see anything happen to this amazing tradition. Please think “outside of the box” for some answers. There are trailer style bathrooms that could be put at every intersection?
Maggie, et al: Southie says “D.A.S.H” : “Drunken As$#^&%s: STAY HOME. Wonderful of you to bring your 13 year old son from out of town, but why were you “shocked at the amount of police “? Was it too much for you? Should there have been LESS police? Would that have made you “feel better”? And why should the City of Boston pay for “more bathrooms for everyone”? Southie’s family members and INVITED friends know where they can use a bathroom. Drunks who come to Southie thinking the streets are open sewers should stay home. Better yet, provide us with your suburban addresses so that Southie residents can organize a car caravan some weekend and piss, puke and defecate on YOUR front lawns. How’s that?
👍👍👍👍👊🤛let’s get that organized
I do. I give up. Queue the Duck Boats, etc. Send it downtown.
Not like you’re getting a parade permit next year, anyways.
I have lived here forever. I love Ed Flynn and his condemning the rowdiness the parade brings. But I remember lots of marching bands and Fun floats the kids loved. Now it seems the huge trailer trucks carrying tons of revelers and blaring rock music is the draw to the parade; and unfortunately it draws the types of groups who have no concept what the parade is about and/or don’t have any idea what it means to the people of South Boston. Bring it back to its genuine parade formula and see who wants to join in the celebration.