Photo: Shari Small/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Authorities say security has been heightened in the North End for its very popular festival season.
The season kicked off August 1st with the 110th annual Saint Agrippina's Feast, the first of several festivals in the North End this summer.
Next up is St. Anthony's feast that runs August 22-25. Authorities say the increased security is due in large part to unruly crowds, fighting, and reports of underage drinking at previous festivals.
This North End resident said the feast was always a family-oriented event that she looked forward to.
But now she said large groups of rowdy teenagers and young people, especially at night, have disrupted the family feel to the event. "Last year I came to the St. Anthony feast, and it was mayhem," she said. "A lot of young people with cases of beer... I didn't even recognize my home anymore."
Festival organizer Michael Benetti said the enhanced security now includes additional security barriers, not allowing backpacks or large bags, and added police patrols.
He also said the festival is now closing earlier at 9 p.m. instead of 11 o'clock.
WBZ NewsRadio's Shari Small (@ShariSmallWBZ) reports.
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