Police Respond to 84 Incidents at New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade

This year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade in New Haven drew tens of thousands of spectators yesterday, and officers responded to 84 incidents, 36 of which were related to public or underage drinking, police said.

According to police, 40 people were taken to the hospital after drinking too much, 20 people were taken into custody and others received court summonses and infractions.

Nonetheless, police said parade-goers were much more “cooperative” than in previous years.

“What we saw were the expected skirmishes between intoxicated green clad partiers,” said New Haven police spokesman Officer David Hartman, in a statement. “What we didn’t see were the bar brawls of several years past.”

Hartman said the rowdiness was in part mitigated by the fact that bars and pubs stopped serving alcohol for a period of time starting at 6 p.m.

“The break enables Officers to persuade downtown visitors that hangovers are unpleasant and the best prevention is a good nights [sic] rest,” Hartman said.

New Haven police officers were assigned to 130 posts along the parade route and in the downtown entertainment district.

Other city departments present during the parade included the Downtown Special Services District; Transportation, Traffic & Parking; Fire Department; Public Works; Health Department; Emergency Management and the Livable City Initiative.

A dozen state Department of Consumer Protection Liquor Control Agents also attended.

The St. Patrick's Day parade in New Haven is the largest single-day spectator event in the state.

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