Calls for ‘major changes’ as 10 people are arrested at St Patrick's Day Parade in Boston
‘With almost a million visitors to South Boston for the parade, we can’t sustain an ‘anything goes’ attitude in the neighborhood’
The Boston Police Department thanked those who did celebrate safely
A Boston City councillor has said the city’s St Patrick's Day Parade needs "major changes” after 10 people were arrested at this year’s event.
The annual celebration of Irish culture in South Boston was marred by incidents ranging from disorderly conduct to assault and battery, underage drinking and rubbish, local media reports.
Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn said many of the spectators that come to the parade “do not treat residents of South Boston with respect”.
“We must make major changes and implement a zero tolerance for public drinking, any form of violence, fighting and destruction of property and other quality of life issues,” Flynn said in a statement shared on social media the day after the parade.
“If we are not able to meet basic standards of decency and respect the South Boston neighborhood, the parade should be moved out of South Boston indefinitely.
“With almost a million visitors to South Boston for the parade, we can’t sustain an ‘anything goes’ attitude in the neighborhood.
“This is a neighborhood, and many of the spectators that come to the parade do not treat residents of South Boston with respect.”
The South Boston Allied War Veteran Council (SBAWVC), organisers of the long-running parade, said they had no comment when asked about Flynn's statement by Irish Central.
But, in a statement shared on social media on Tuesday, Randy J Greeley, Commander of the SBAWVC, said: "Yes, there are some things that need to be worked on and we will try to fix these things in the future."
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The day after the parade, the Boston Police Department thanked "all who came out and celebrated safely”.
However, Michael Torigian of the Boston Police Department told Irish Central on Wednesday that there were 10 arrests - ranging from disorderly conduct to assault and battery on the day of the parade..
All arrests have been arraigned in South Boston District Court, Torigian said.
MBTA Transit Police said on Monday they arrested "a highly intoxicated 26 y/o male armed with a firearm”.
“A Transit Police sergeant while monitoring large crowds at #MBTA Andrew Sq for the St Patrick Day Parade observed a highly intoxicated 26 y/o male armed with a firearm,” they posted on X. “The male was subsequently arrested & transported to TPDHQ for processing. Excellent police work.”
“Boston's online 311 service shows several complaints, mainly relating to trash and debris left behind, after the parade,” Irish Central reports.
At least one complaint related to witnessing alleged underage drinking.
