St. Patrick's Day
Pittsburgh holds its St. Patrick's Day Parade next Saturday.
Thousands of people will pack downtown streets to celebrate Irish culture –
And post-parade celebrations will continue in local bars and restaurants.
It's a fact.
St. Patrick's Day has become a cross between a family-friendly holiday –
And an all-day pub crawl.
It's a big money-maker for Pittsburgh bars and restaurants –
And a public safety headache.
In past years – Pittsburgh's South Side has seen traffic jams –
Crowds spilling off sidewalks –
And fights.
The Peduto administration says it has a security plan for Saturday –
And will – if necessary – ask Allegheny County or State police for help.
South Side businesses have created a transportation plan to ease congestion.
What they can't do is make people behave responsibly.
That's an individual decision –
And is the real key to everyone having a fun – and safe – holiday.
There's nothing wrong with raising a glass in Erin's honor –
It just shouldn't be a public drunkfest.
