During this year's St. Patrick's Day festivities, the Pittsburgh Police were out in full force on the South Side, ready to handle the revelers who came out in droves to celebrate. According to a statement released by the Pittsburgh Police, from March 13 through March 17, the South Side Entertainment Patrol was fully staffed, including assistance from Narcotics and Vice and Violence Prevention Unit detectives on March 16. A total number of arrests and citations were made, ensuring the safety of both residents and visitors.
The Pittsburgh Police worked throughout the weekend to manage the overflowing crowds. In a concerted effort to maintain order and safety, officers were compelled to quickly take action against a spate of violations. The majority of non-traffic citations were given out for common St. Patty's Day indulgences: public intoxication, open container laws, public urination, and frequently catching people smoking marijuana in public.
While the Police Department did not disclose the exact figures, their endeavor to keep the peace was clear, concentrating on typical offenses that tend to spike during high-spirited holidays. These measures were put in place to ensure that the celebrations did not spiral out of control and to keep the communal harmony intact throughout the holiday weekend.
The city showed its gratitude to the officers, "Thank you to all of the officers for the long hours worked to ensure Pittsburgh residents and visitors could safely celebrate this St. Patrick's Day weekend."
