BEVERLY — The South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade produced zero arrests Sunday, according to the Chicago Police Department.
A police spokesman added that eight tickets were issued at the event — all for peddling without a license.
Organizers of the parade said nobody has been arrested at the annual march down Western Avenue from 103rd to 115th streets since it returned in 2012 after a two-year hiatus.
A renewed focus on family has been largely credited with turning around the event that resulted in 54 arrests after a particularly warm parade day in 2009. Most of those incidents stemmed from drunken, rowdy behavior.
The parade committee looked to curb drinking along the route upon its return by instituting a zero-tolerance policy on alcohol. Both private security and Chicago police were encouraged to write tickets to anyone drinking within 800 feet of the parade.
Those caught drinking or urinating in public face fines of $500 to $1,000 or up to six months in jail. The parade committee has also made a conscious effort to monitor social media for any groups looking to attend the parade with the sole intent of getting drunk.
“I am so proud of the entire community and all those that came out to responsibly support the parade despite the rain,” said Pat Coakley, co-chairman of the South Side Irish Parade Committee.
Indeed, organizers had expected some 200,000 spectators along the route, but wet weather resulted in a crowd closer to 150,000, according to a spokesman for the parade.
“My father co-founded the parade in 1979 and I am thrilled this great tradition continues with its focus on faith, family and community,” Coakley said.
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