Dear Editor:
Next Saturday, March 6, Hoboken will proudly celebrate its Irish roots. For nearly a quarter of a century, the Hoboken St. Patrick’s Day Committee has organized and sponsored our community’s signature event celebrating Irish culture and traditions.
Residents and nearly 40,000 visitors commemorate this celebration which is held on the first Saturday in March each year. As Mayor, I and members of my administration have been working with many segments of our community to make this a pleasurable event for residents and visitors.
While the parade is a family-event which brings together participation by Hoboken’s varied community groups, the post-event revelry poses a public safety challenge. Our entire police force will be on duty throughout the day to patrol the City and we have received commitments from the Port Authority of NY & NJ, NJ Transit, the Hudson County Sheriff’s and Prosecutor’s offices to help us maintain the quality of life all residents expect during large celebrations.
As always, our hospitality community is working to enforce rules and regulations at their establishments and educate their customers of any violations to municipal ordinances and we have done the same through the local and social media outlets.
I want to thank the hospitality community for their help in providing in kind support for the day’s festivities and especially thank those restaurant/bar owners who have contributed to the city’s request for economic assistance to cover the costs of the March 6 event.
As you may know, the City has adopted a “zero tolerance” policy against quality of life offenses. Property owners need be advised that they are responsible for the actions of their tenants and that fines will be levied for out of control parties. Residents and visitors will be held responsible for their actions. The City Council has raised fines for all violators up to $2,000 and community service for violations like public urination, drinking and unruly house parties.
We have taken these safeguards to benefit the vast majority of celebrants who are planning to honor the traditions of this day and Irish culture. I hope you will join me next Saturday on Washington Street for the annual Hoboken St. Patrick’s Day Parade!
Sincerely yours,
Mayor Dawn Zimmer