A message from the Boston Police Department – St. Patrick’s Day 2026

The following message was shared with students in the City of Boston by Boston Police Commissioner Michael A. Cox. See the PDF here. 

March 2, 2026 

Boston Area College and University Students 

Re: Spring Break Safety and St. Patrick’s Day Message 

Deaf Students: 

Most of you are or will be celebrating spring break this month. The majority of you will be leaving your living spaces vacant and unattended. I want to take this opportunity to offer a few safety tips and reminders so that your personal possessions and spaces are protected and you do not fall victim to a crime. 

Please make sure you secure your on and off-campus housing units when you leave by locking the doors and windows. 

  • If you have air conditioners, please remove them from the windows, especially those where there is access to a fire escape. If they cannot be removed, make sure they are securely fastened. 
  • Please take precautions in advance and, if need be, contact your management company or landlord to make sure that the locks are in working order. Forgetting to lock d00fs and windows can lead to higher levels of house breaks. 
  • Also, take all of your electronic devices and items of value home with you since these are often attractive targets. Computers/iPads, jewelry, game systems, designer purses and other high-end goods tend to be items that are appealing to would-be perpetrators. These items should never be left where they can be seen from windows or doors. 

If you have trusted neighbors, let them know you are going to be away so that they can keep an eye on things. Conversely, if you are going to be staying home, keep an eye on your neighborhood and call 9-1-1 if you see anything suspicious. Take a few extra moments to make sure your space is secure so that you are not victimized. 

Additionally, if you are staying in the area or you come back to your residence prior to classes resuming, please keep in mind that we will have an increased presence in the neighborhoods for loud parties and underage drinking, particularly over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend. We will also have extra patrols monitoring license premise locations in neighborhoods where we typically see an increase of activity. Underage drinking is against the law and violations will be heavily enforced. If you plan to attend the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in South Boston, we remind you that unlawful behavior will not be tolerated: public drinking is illegal at any age. These are neighborhoods where people live and work so please remember to celebrate responsibly. 

Please visit www.police.boston.gov for additional information and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Sincerely,
Michael A. Cox
Police Commissioner