Following the St. Patrick’s Day & Evacuation Day Parade, the South Boston Elected Officials met on Friday afternoon with the leadership of the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council and officials from the Executive Office of Public Safety & Security, the Massachusetts State Police, MBTA Transit Police, Boston Police Department, City of Boston Licensing Board and Special Events Division.
The focus was on the issues that took place during and in the aftermath of the Evacuation Day & St. Patrick’s Day Parade that we all need to work closely together on and address moving forward.
In an effort to maintain this historic 124 year old tradition and restore the sense of safety to the people of South Boston and visitors on Parade Day – a family friendly event which honors our proud immigrant roots, our veterans and military families, and has been a cherished community tradition for generations – the meeting concluded with the determination to form a task force focused on next year’s parade safety plan.
This task force, made up of representatives from across different state and city agencies, as well as key partners in the community, will look to meet regularly beginning next month to discuss both public safety and quality of life issues in the lead up to next year’s parade.
“It is our goal that this task force will assist the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council in ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all neighbors and visitors alike- including our seniors, persons with disabilities, and young children and families,” stated Congressman Stephen Lynch, State Senator Nick Collins, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn, and State Representative David Biele in a joint statement.
“The South Boston Allied War Veterans look forward to working with our elected officials and the various public safety agencies involved in the Evacuation Day parade safety working group to ensure that the residents of South Boston, and those visiting South Boston, have a safe and enjoyable experience,” said Randy Greeley, Commander & President of the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council.
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.
Raise the fine to $1,000 for public drinking $500 to parade and $500 to state. If fine is paid there will be no record.
yeah, right….
….is ya close M Street/MEDAL OF HONOR Park for the day. As I’m sure you are aware , last year (I’m not sure about this year, if I’m being honest) the “T” ran shuttles from South Station to….M & 1st. The little darlings never, EVER even made it up to Broadway. They had NO INTENTION of even watching the parade.
Same for Walgreens’s and Burger King parking lots. Shut ‘em down for the day. Any large gatherings @off the parade route”…disperse ‘em or lock ‘em up. It’s just that easy.
I’ll do ya one better and suggest privatizing the parade.
FOR us, BY us.
Have it on March 17th regardless of which day of the week it falls on.
The neighborhood will adapt.
Dead On!
The little darlings stumbling, puking, and urinating also brought traffic on First St to a halt getting to the buses.
One hour from Farragut Rd. to the airport and a missed flight.
Just leave it in Southie!!! Crack down on all the other things but this parade is a SOUTH Boston Tradition!!! Do not move it!
Can’t wait for Flynn to call for hours of hearings on this only to decide we need more time to make a decision.
Start fining people for urinating all over the place during and after the parade. They do not come to the parade. They come to drink, yell, brawl and piss on buildings. Disgusting!
just move the parade to Rose Kennedy drive. Southy is not set up for a million visitors. All you need is 100 to 200 disrupters and it can ruin it for the residents of South. obviously people are getting worse just look around
look at the carry on at the expressway afterwards.
Regarding the T shuttle to Mand East 1st Streets. Several years ago I, a lifelong South Boston resident, had to take that shuttle having landed in Logan and just trying to get home. Buses had been pelted with ice cream and other things . I was grateful that at least got I to the car barn then to walk, hauling my luggage, to East 8th st.
Do a poll of the community?
It’s not a South Boston tradition anymore, because there is no South Boston left. I would would say that 85 percent of the people that live in South Boston aren’t real Southie people, they are outsiders who bought their way in. Southie as we knew it is gone for good. 😞☹️😥
Move it to Harvard square…
At this point in time it would be the best place.
Maybe Kendall square as a second choice….pills and needles instead of public drinking….
It’s simple for St. Patrick’s Day 2025 bring back the old BPD Paddy wagons arrest anyone on the spot for all violations and have them spend 24 hrs in the jail cell from the moment the illegal occurrence happens. The next day escort them up the SB Court House in the Paddy Wagons fine them with no release unless fine is paid on the spot! !!!! “No payment “” do not pass Go! Get their ass back to jail until fine is paid in full!!’ That should be a cure all!!! 👍. Bonus the fine money goes towards the following year St. Patrick’s Day parade.👍