Councilor Flynn Held St Patrick’s Day & Evacuation Day Parade Task Force Meeting
Remember how last St. Patrick’s Day Parade Day was utter chaos? Videos and photos surfaced on social media of the violence, public drinking, bad behavior, and general trashing of the neighborhood. Well, local politicians organized a task force to prepare for the 2025 parade day. Here’s a press release about the St Patrick’s Day & Evacuation Day Parade Task Force meeting.
BOSTON – On Friday, September 27, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn hosted a St Patrick’s Day & Evacuation Day Parade Task Force follow up Zoom meeting with South Boston Elected Officials, leadership of the Allied War Veterans Council, and members of the Boston Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, MBTA Police, Boston Fire Department, and Boston EMS. There have been several meetings since the Task Force was set up following the incidents that took place at the St Patrick’s Day Parade in March.
At the meeting, the Task Force continued with discussions to strengthen public safety measures at problematic spots along the parade route, including increasing the number of law enforcement officers, working with stakeholders and partners like National Parks Services for additional support, aggressive confiscating of alcohol, and next steps. Councilor Flynn emphasized that he would like to make a zero tolerance policy a top priority in order to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all next year – particularly for our families with children, our seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities.
“The South Boston Electeds and I continue to work towards ensuring that next year’s St Patrick’s Day and Evacuation Day Parade is a family-friendly event where the people of South Boston and our veterans community are respected,” said Councilor Flynn. “In the final analysis, this parade is about honoring our proud immigrant roots and our Veterans, Military and Gold Star Families. We cannot allow violence and inappropriate behavior to happen again and overshadow that.”
For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 and [email protected].
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
I didn’t think the parade was chaotic. I know how hard the committee worked on the parade and thought they did a great job. In fact I think it was the best parade in a while. If you want chaos go to the Caribbean parade in Dorchester where people get shot and stabbed.