Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — A Boston city councilor is threatening to pull the plug on the annual South Boston St. Patrick's Day parade unless revelers start behaving themselves.
City Councilor Ed Flynn said he's confident law enforcement can keep a lid on the rowdiness, but more than willing to pull the parade from his native neighborhood if the holiday antics get out of control like last year.
Flynn said the level of drinking and violence at the parade in 2024 was an “embarrassment.”
Flynn is the parade's general chairman and has been working on a task force consisting of various groups, elected officials, and law enforcement to keep disturbances to a minimum.
But he also said he's willing to move the parade out of Southie, a notion some neighbors tell WBZ NewsRadio is too drastic.
"That's just a threat," said Anthony, a South Boston resident. "I think it's all going to happen every year.”
“I think it's something they have to keep an eye on, but it's all fun and games,” said Danny, another resident. “You can have your fun, but not let it get too out of control."
For many residents, the parade feels like a staple of the community.
"I feel like it's always a little chaotic, so better to just keep it in Southie where the people love it,” Isabel Garber said.
City officials have been reaching out to local high schools and colleges to remind students about minding their behavior at the parade.
One of the changes this year is moving up the start time of Sunday's parade to 11:30 a.m.
WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.