Stay Safe on St. Patrick’s Day

The following is a letter from Massachusetts State Representative Nick Collins to the BU community. It by no means acts as an endorsement or suggestion to attend of the event. We have just been asked to post about the event by public safety officials.

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I am writing to request your cooperation in curbing public drinking during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in South Boston, which will be held this Sunday, March 16th.  Approximately one million people join us each year for this wonderful tradition, and we welcome them.  However, we do not welcome the Mardi Gras-like atmosphere that has accompanied the Parade in recent years.

The Parade has always been, and we strive to continue to make it, a family event.  Public drinking, public drunkenness and disturbing the peace will not be tolerated.  We commend the efforts of the Boston Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police, and the MBTA Transit Police and want to leave no question with students that a zero tolerance policy will be strictly enforced.

The Parade will be the largest event held in the City of Boston since the Boston Marathon tragedy and will follow the same public safety policies that will be in effect for next month’s marathon.  Police are strongly discouraging spectators from carrying backpacks, coolers or any other type of bag to the Parade and those who do bring bags should expect to have them searched.  Also, as many come to South Boston via the Broadway Station Red Line, the police will be using metal fencing to create a buffer zone to alleviate large crowds from being outside all at once.

Citations will be issued and, if necessary, arrests will be made.  It is our hope that with your help, the students who come to South Boston for the Parade will be equipped with a sense of respect for the place that we South Bostonians are proud to call home.

I thank you in advance for your help and look forward to a memorable, safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day.  If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Nick Collins
State Representative
4th Suffolk District
State House, Room 26
Boston, MA 02133
617.722.2080 (p)
617.722.2339 (f)
nick.collins@mahouse.gov