Police prepare for St. Paddy's

March 8, 3:10 PMBoston Progressive Politics ExaminerNicole Rene Atchison

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Flickr Aubrey Stoll - St.Patrick's Day London 2007

The Boston police department has announced a crackdown on public drinking during next weekend's St. Patrick's Day parade in Southie. In addition to the 400 hundred police who worked last year's parade, the BPD plans to add 200 additional bicycle, gang and mounted officers. This year, the parade will begin on Sunday, March 15th, 2009 at 1pm.

Police Commissioner Edward Davis has made these announcements a week in advance hoping to stave off some of the violence and rioting that has occured at past parades.

I've never attended a St. Patrick's Day parade in Boston or New York. Former New York Mayor Dinkins got hit in the head with a beer can while marching in a St. Patrick's Day parade on Fifth Avenue in 1991. I figure I didnt stand a chance to get in and out of such a parade safely.

Besides the concern about violence and public drunkeness, the battle rages on in both cities on the inclusion of gays and lesbian Irish groups in the parade. Despite lawsuits, protests and alternative celebrations, the issue has not yet been resolved.

Because Boston is home to such a large Irish Catholic population, the Boston parade should draw a large crowd. According to Wikipedia, Boston was one of the first cities to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a parade, beginning in 1761. If the violence is kept to a minimum, the parade could have a positive effect, by bringing in tourist, restaurant and hotel dollars.

Go green, and get involved!