Boston's St. Patrick's Day parade ends with several alcohol-related arrests
Boston's St. Patrick's Day parade ended with no major incidents, compared to a year ago, but there were several alcohol-related arrests Sunday.
Thousands of people lined the parade route in South Boston as the annual procession started earlier than usual this year, at 11:30 a.m. instead of 1 p.m. to make the parade more family-friendly. Last year, ten people were arrested following several fights.
What does borg mean?
Boston Police said they did seize some alcohol from people who were under age or drinking in public Sunday. Officers showed off several "borgs" that were taken away in a post on social media. Borg is short for "blackout rage gallon" and is said to be popular with college students.
Transit Police also seized several borgs, according to a photo the agency posted online.
In total, Boston Police said nine people were arrested at the parade and four were summonsed to court. The charges include disorderly conduct, destruction of property, assaulting a police officer and under age drinking.
"We thank the vast majority of those celebrating today for doing so in a safe and appropriate way. We continue to ask those attending or out celebrating in our City to refrain from unlawful behavior and to respect the neighborhoods where you are celebrating," police said in a statement Sunday.
The 3.5 mile parade is organized by the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council.
"It's all about the friends, the family, having fun, just having a great time, all about the positive attitude in Boston," said one spectator.
"It's so wild. You can't match the spirit in Boston. It's so much fun" another spectator said.
One family came to visit Boston all the way from Ireland to experience St. Patrick's Day in America. They said Boston did a pretty good job.
"Everybody is absolutely amazing here, it's like being in Ireland, so we're really very excited," said Irish tourist Aileen.
Boston fire
Boston's parade was not affected by a fire at a construction waste recycling center a few miles away in Roxbury Sunday. Smoke could be detected in several parts of the city, but the fire commissioner said they were keeping an eye on the air quality at the site.
