Hoboken bars and restaurants will be full of Irish pride on Saturday, March 7 when the town holds its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. But parade day won’t be all corned beef and cabbage. Because it’s one of Hoboken’s biggest celebrations, excessive drinking and intoxication have become a problem in the mile-square city.
According to Public Safety Director Bill Bergen, excessive partying leads to overcrowded streets and establishments, disorderly conduct, fights, and other injuries from slips and falls.
“People are going to be lined up at 8 a.m. [at bars],” said Bergen, “especially along First Street where there are plenty of Irish bars. They’ll be here bright and early.”
To combat the problem, the town will again issue tickets for people who want to risk walking outside with an open container of alcohol. At the discretion of the judge, the fine may carry a $1,000 penalty.
“Drinking in public was getting out of hand,” Bergen said. “There used to be people on the rooftops, sometimes 50 or more people on a single balcony.”
According to Bergen, the tickets have steadily decreased since the fine was implemented.
“Two years ago, we issued 500 tickets,” Bergen said. “Then, last year that number was reduced to 170. So, the message is definitely getting across. We hope to have zero this year.”
Keeping the town safe
In addition, owners of local taverns have voluntarily agreed to open at 11 a.m. to help curb excessive intoxication.
“It’ll prevent the kids from drinking all day long,” Bergen said, “and already being intoxicated at 10:30 a.m. Hopefully, the measure will slow them down.”
Police and firefighters will also be watching house parties to make sure people aren’t hanging dangerously out of the windows and crowding fire escapes.
This year, almost all of Hoboken’s emergency response personnel will be on hand for the event. According to Bergen, over 90 percent of the police department will be on duty that day.
“There are no vacation days [on parade day],” Bergen said. “The volunteer ambulance core sets up every ambulance that they have and will be on the streets until 3 in the morning. Everyone will be working to keep the town safe.”
Sean Allocca may be reached at Current@hudsonreporter.com.