Allan Appel Photo
(Updated Monday 2:45 p.m.) More families appeared along the route this year, along with less drunken fighting and vomiting than in years past.
That was the verdict from police spokesman Officer David Hartman after the wrap up of the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New Haven Sunday. (Click here to read about the parade itself.)
The police worked with club and restaurant owners and others in town to limit drunken misbehavior.
It paid off, Hartman said.
“This wasn’t the wild, wild west we had five years ago. It certainly improved over the past several years,” he said. “It’s very steadily turning back into a family spectator event. People have been better behaved each year that we do this. We appreciate that. That’s what the parade should be.”
Officers made around two dozen arrests for disorderly conduct, “little fights and skirmishes,” no “street brawls” like in the bad old days, according to Hartman. They also issued “at least that many infraction” notices for underaged drinking and open containers.
Update: Hartman issued this statement Monday afternoon: “Officers responded to 84 parade-related incidents that resulted in about 20 people being taken into custody. Others received court summonses and infractions. 36 of those incidents involved the public consumption of alcohol beverages and underage drinking. At least 40 people were transported by ambulance to local hospitals to be treated for consuming too much alcohol.
“On such a day, with tens of thousands of people in attendance, one must expect some disorderly conduct. We were prepared and kept the peace. Officers remarked at how much more cooperative people have become in recent years since public drinking has gone from something frowned upon to something that results in action. We’ve certainly seen an increase in the number of families who bring their young children to watch the parade. It’s once again a family friendly event.
“What we saw were the expected skirmishes between intoxicated green clad partiers. What we didn’t see were the bar brawls of several years past. An important newer practice has been popular not only amongst police, but liquor permit holders as well.”
One woman was arrested on Chapel Street after she allegedly pushed Officer Cherelle Carr and kicked a motorcycle, according to Lt. Jeff Hoffman. (The arrest is pictured at the top of the story.)
Owners of bars and restaurants that serve liquor agreed to close at 6 p.m. to help the police move along drunken people, as well. “We really appreciated the advance planning and the cooperation of those who have liquor permits,” Hartman said.
This year’s grand marshal, Timothy Gallogly, too, hailed the family-friendly atmosphere this year thanks in part to the continuing vigorous emphasis on no public drinking.
Just curious about attendance estimates. Has anyone officially observed the numbers going up, down, or remaining about the same?