New Haven Independent

Posted by: Deuce | March 16, 2009 9:11 AM

What a great day! A fine parade, a fabulous way to celebrate Irish culture with family and friends.

Posted by: Greg | March 16, 2009 9:15 AM

I went to the parade and was appauled by the all the public drinking and rowdy behavior. 2 people almost ran into my car as I was driving along college street looking for a parking space.Police just stand around and do nothing to enforce drinking. How can they simply just ignore the fact that teens are drinking and are drunk. In New York, the police do not allow this at the parade! How can New Haven allow this!
I am embarrased with this police department, what a joke!

Posted by: jawbone | March 16, 2009 10:56 AM

I guess.
If your definition of 'pride' is pissing all over and trashing the downtown.
Should have included some photos of the aftermath. How about a few shots of the cops tazing a couple of brawlers while the children watch.

Posted by: jawbone | March 16, 2009 11:51 AM

Greg,
My understanding is that the open-container laws are suspended for the day. So the public drinking is legal. There is no excuse for the obvious underage drinking, however.
I wonder why the Freddy Fixer and Puerto Rican Day parade are not allowed a similar slackening of the public drinking laws? Hmmm.

Posted by: robn | March 16, 2009 12:41 PM

Having fun to some extent is OK in my book but getting stumbling blackout drunk is no way to celebrate positive Irish culture...especially at a time when Ulster is turned on its head because 300 rowdy punks have decided to start killing cops and throwing malatov cocktails again.

Posted by: Michael | March 16, 2009 12:56 PM

ROBN-

dont be silly. the one cop and the two soldiers who got killed were killed by a small, unsupported splinter group. The riots the other day were a reaction to the invasive and destructive manner in which the Police in the north conduct their raids in catholic working class communities. The process of policing there and the role of the 'cop' in the north of ireland is much different than here.

And with regards to St. patrick's day, its been this way as long as I can remember. If you dont want to see drunk people, dont go to the parade.

Posted by: East Shore Guy | March 16, 2009 1:35 PM

It was a great parade and good weather. I like how all the negative comments flow from suburban residents that travel to New Haven to see the parade and pay nothing in taxes for the police or the public works guys.

When the parade was in jeopardy I don't recall Madison, Branford, East Haven, Stratford or Guilford jumping up to host the event and shoulder any costs.

All in all in was a good day. Got to see some old neighbors and even some friends form the club. Thanks New Haven you are a great host city.

Posted by: jawbone | March 16, 2009 2:06 PM

As I am typing this, the entire street frontage of the British Art Center is being pressure washed. Probably to the tune of a couple thousand dollars. Who has a couple thousand dollars to clean piss and puke off of their property anymore? Answer: No one. I'm glad the city isn't footing the bill to allow 'pride' to piss on and cover my downtown with trash any longer.

Posted by: William Kurtz | March 16, 2009 2:45 PM

The same thing Emmett Grogan said about America holds for the parade: Anything that anyone can say about it is true. Looking at Ms. Kozin's pictures of well-disciplined marching bands and fathers enjoying a sunny afternoon with their children, one might think this was a fine display of civic pride. Standing on that same corner, but across the street, in front of the Yale Rep, watching frat boys chug beers, break bottles, harass other watchers, and light fire to those stupid foam crowns Liberty Tax was handing out, one might be excused for thinking the opposite.

It's too bad that lack of respect for basic civility and decorum casts such big shadow over what really can be a fun event. When else are these guys to get out in the fresh air?

Posted by: robn | March 16, 2009 4:20 PM

MICHAEL,

I'm not talking about the behavior of the cops,....I'm talking about the same thing you are...civil behavior and good clean fun....which in some quarters was lacking at the parade.

Posted by: ChuckP | March 16, 2009 4:41 PM

I attend the parade every year with my three kids and, yes, we come in from the suburbs. We also support the parade with donations. There are sections where I know not to go with my kids, like College St., and I know not to park on Crown where I'll have to traverse revelers with my kids in tow. All-in-all its a great parade that is now appropriately funded by sponsors and New Haven should be proud to host it. Thank you New Haven and the Parade Committee for a great day!

Posted by: Eva Geertz | March 16, 2009 6:19 PM

I walked downtown last night at about five p.m.
On Orange St. near Nica's, I met a young man who seemed to think he was walking to SCSU.
I advised him this wasn't the case. He nodded and thanked me and continued toward Cross. I hope he's ok.
The closer I got to downtown, the more I saw:
-- people urinating in every possible alleyway, including in plain sight at City Hall -- really, very attractive;
-- young men literally falling down drunk on the sidewalk, one of whom nearly rolled into the intersection of Trumbull and Orange Sts. -- great place to roll into, I'm sure;
-- Scarily drunk girls being accosted by men who probably didn't mean harm but who the hell knows;
--Scarily drunk girls being half-carried back to vehicles by guys who were clearly horrified and disgusted by the girls' behavior.

I think the Parade can go to hell, and I say that as someone who lived downtown for years and resented the piss and vomit everywhere, and as someone who still lives in New Haven and pays taxes here and still isn't a big fan of public excretion of bodily fluids caused by overconsumption of alcohol (I'm trying to choose words very, very carefully here, and it's not easy given how angry I am). I'm really not against the Parade in theory, but in practice? I say it's piss and vomit, and I say to hell with it.

Posted by: ParkStTaxPayer | March 16, 2009 6:24 PM

I've lived in new haven for 4 years, and this is the first year I've left town 12 hours in advance of, and 12 hours after, the parade (I slept in today).

Last year, I enjoyed the parade, but was blitzed with everyone else; however, my mood soured when I saw public intoxication at it's best.

Public intoxication + 300,000 people = Public Sanitation Disaster!!!

Men urinating behind buildings, in alleyways, and into storm drains. Women puking into (and onto the side of) trash cans. Broken glass everywhere, for dogs to step on. Garbage receptacles stacked high with refuse.

Cheap plastic crap from China being sold to undisciplined children (whose parents give in to their whining).

This year, I skipped town, making sure my blinds were closed and my ground-floor alley windows locked.

I returned today with powdered lime, to sprinkle in the alley and under the bushes in front of my apartment; puke and urine can smell for days, and I wanted to be prepared. Silly string sticks to the building and trash is everywhere.

Since I wasn't there this year, were Portapotties provided for the masses? I sure wouldn't want to be a business-owner like Starbucks at High during the parade!!

Glad I missed the mayhem this year. Next year, maybe I'll watch from a hot air balloon. Now to head outside and sprinke lime. At least the bushes will appreciate the lowering of the pH, and the passers-by will breathe clean air again.

Posted by: walt bradley | March 17, 2009 1:07 AM

I went to the parade, and was happy to see hundreds of thousands of people come to new haven. We all know that a big draw is being able to drink and celebrate the end of winter. It's not uncommon in this country, and has always been a harbinger of spring. Unlike say, some of the other parades, there aren't shootings, and this year, the organizers have been able to put up the cash for police and first responders to shut up any bitching about public funds spent.
i am quite sure we taxpayers of new haven wound up in the black on this one -factoring in monies spent at downtown businesses (funny how it's o.k. thought they make $$ on the parade, yet fear the summer concerts that produce the same results) - and the repeat customers the parade generates.
People are going to drink. Some of them are going to vomit, some will be a-holes. NONE shot or KILLED ANYONE. Check the past, oh, twenty years, there have been no murders, no armed robberies.
There are lots of drunk people. Lots of drunk people spending money in new haven, not killing people, getting rides home. I'm good with that. We condone this behavior every weekend on college street and crown street because it draws people into our downtown bar area, an area specifically created out of the porn theaters of the late 70's and crumbling buildings - to draw people back to new haven. Well, here they are, good job.
I suggest the city provide either a big wall to be urinated on and pressure washed afterwards, or continue to deal with pee stained walls throughout the parade route. I suggest the mayor shut up about the cost of the parade (it's a moneymaker in the end - as well as good p.r. for the city) or not march in it. i suggest to those who live in the city the other 364 days a year and don't get offended by the scores of murders, the hundreds of home invasions and rapes and armed robberies and the unchecked wantonness of cityhall take a few moments to read their comments.
Sliante bitches! Go Yankees!

Posted by: Wicked Lester | March 17, 2009 8:09 AM

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!

For those who hate the parade: POGUE MAHONE!

Posted by: Wow | March 17, 2009 8:52 AM

To the folks who thought the cops did nothing all day, shut-up and join the force. to the folks who are upset with the piss and vomit, go to a yale/harvard football game. to the folks who live in new haven make sure you vote in more liberals, keep your CHANGE, I want my MONEY. and thank you GOD for a safe day in new haven with no shootings, killings or rapes. the other parades the cops are told "hands off" due to race. life is so fair....WOW

Posted by: elmcityguy | March 17, 2009 9:23 AM

I wish they would make a block or two a family friendly zone. I don't want to keep people from their fun, but I do think families with kids should have the option of not stepping over drunks.

Posted by: Walt | March 17, 2009 9:32 AM

Well said, Bradley

As one who cannot deny having despoiled the old Superior Court parking lot, I ask "What else can you do? There are no alternatives on the parade route"

Portapottys would help, but I have never seen one and have not missed a parade since they resumed after WWII.

Perhaps the bars which make a bundle, charging $5 to enter to drink or use the john, should be assessed for the parade cleanup.

The percentage of drunks is really small as is the percentage of slobs who leave their garbage.

Most folks behave and just come to enjoy a great day for all,

Posted by: Deuce | March 17, 2009 11:44 AM

Elm City Guy, that's a good idea. Right now, the best place for a family to enjoy the parade without the drunken shenanigans is Church St. Maybe that could become a designated area. There were people drinking in that area, but it wasn't debauched like Chapel St. I think the college kids like to party close to the bars.

Posted by: Common Sense | March 17, 2009 8:36 PM

For the past forty years I have been in the line of march at the Saint Patrick Day parade with various groups. I estimated this years crowd to be at least 300,000 people who came from all walks of life. From start to finish the crowd greeted every passing unit with applause and respect. In my opinion the police did a marvelous job with crowd control. Yes, there were some casualties for those whose immaturity and tainted exuberance got the best of them. They paid the price for their indulgence and perhaps grew up a little when they woke up on Monday...

Posted by: walt bradley | March 18, 2009 1:55 AM

Walt -the other walt, i appreciate the prop.
I would be remiss if i did not follow up on my comments.
First, i can be quite abrassive at first. i apoligize it i came off as such. I tend to be personal and of a shoot first variety.
Having been born at St. Raph's and growing up here, i have developed a strong sense of ownership to new haven. This is THE big parade for new haven. it's someting i and my generation have taken as a birthright. There is a giant portion of new haven to whom history is a factor. We know about things like east rock's height (just under 370ft) what year about 500 puritans came to settle the city (1638) or what channels the public access station runs it's P.E.G programming (ch 27,26, and 96 on comcast new haven)
Over the last 50 years the parade has been able to self regulate, it's generated a common ideal of self policing. There are exceptions, but for the most part, there has been a record of remarkable self dicipline and the participants and viewers have looked upon this as New Haven's panultimate rights of spring.
I do hope our friends uptown will be able to revive the "Freddie Fixer" parade. The restrictions put upon organizers this last year have been tough to put on a proper celebration of the many backgrounds of our city. I will be offering my time and services as both a citizen of new haven, and a member of local media.
This parade is a draw for our town. Parades, festivals and concerts are all draws for new haven. New Haven gains when people come into our town to sample what we have to offer. Ever been to Hartford after 6pm or Bridgeport, well, ever?
I attended with my 2 and 3 year old cousins, did not vomit and spend about $100 downtown.
It's a party. A party. Celebrate.

Posted by: Bruce | March 18, 2009 10:53 AM

I attended the parade for the first time as a father this year. I was a little concerned, but we planned well and stayed by the green so we could just keep backing up if things got too rowdy or crowded. I had a great time. At one point we had to push through a very congested crowd of drunken fans, but as soon as anyone saw a stroller they made way and helped us through. Didn't see any puke, though I don't doubt there was plenty. They seemed to have a few more porto-potties this year though they could have used more.

I had a blast, as I do every year, and I look forward to next year. It is great to see everyone crawling out of their winter caves to meet up with their neighbors and friends. It gets me stoked for the jazz concerts.