South Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade needs "major changes," Councilor says

A Boston politician is calling for "major changes" to the South Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade after this year's event.

“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,” Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn said in a statement shared on social media on Monday, March 18, 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), the organizers of the long-running parade, told IrishCentral on Tuesday that they had no comment when asked about Flynn's statement.

Meanwhile, in a statement shared on social media on Tuesday, Randy J. Greeley, Commander of the SBAWVC, said in part: "Yes, there are some things that need to be worked on and we will try to fix these things in the future."

Officer Michael Torigian of the Boston Police Department told IrishCentral on Wednesday that there were 10 arrests - ranging from disorderly conduct to assault and battery - during Sunday's St. Patrick's Day parade.

All arrests have been arraigned in South Boston District Court, Torigian said.

Elsewhere, 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. The male was subsequently arrested & transported to TPDHQ for processing. Excellent police work !! pic.twitter.com/Up4iWcOivN

— MBTA Transit Police (@MBTATransitPD) March 18, 2024

Boston's online 311 service shows several complaints, mainly relating to trash and debris left behind, after the parade. At least one complaint related to witnessing alleged underage drinking.

On Monday, the day after the parade, the Boston Police Department thanked "all who came out and celebrated safely."

The 1️⃣1️⃣9️⃣th St. Patrick’s Day Parade is in the books ??☘️

Our dedicated officers once again patrolled the parade route and spent the day with fellow Bostonians and visitors of the city.

Thank you to all who came out and celebrated safely! pic.twitter.com/ahb3W7KVfi

— Boston Police Dept. (@bostonpolice) March 18, 2024