Public Safety Officials Prepping For St. Patrick's Day Celebrations
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day Parade steps off Saturday at 10 a.m.
It starts at the Greyhound Bus station, proceeds to Grant Street, then onto the Boulevard of the Allies and ends at Stanwix Street.
It's one of the largest and oldest St. Patrick's Day parades in the country.
Click here for more information on street closures and parking.
After the parade, people will be ready to party, and with an expected crowd of more than 100,000 people, there could be problems.
"For those that want to create havoc, we have an answer for them," said Mike Huss, the city's director of Public Safety.
From 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., there will be a family-friendly, non-alcohol event in Market Square, including Irish music and dancers. But things change after that.
"From 2 p.m. till 5:30 p.m., open containers will be allowed, folks coming in will go through an ID check to make sure they are 21," said Huss.
At 5:30 p.m., no more open containers will be allowed in Market Square, and the place will be cleaned up and will return to normal.
After that, the hot spot will be the South Side.
Police will be out in full force, some will be in uniform, some will not.
"Our regular patrol officers, our motorcycle units, bicycle officers will be there," said Huss. "Along with roving DUI patrols, undercover enforcement will be there; along with State Police ICE, liquor control enforcement will be out."
There is also free parking in some South Side lots and free shuttle service to and from the South Side.
RELATED LINKS:
Police Urge Public To Use Caution Drinking During St. Patrick's Day Celebrations (3/14/14)
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