Extra police patrols take to Varick Street for St. Patrick's Day Parade

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Extra police patrols take to Varick Street for St. Patrick's Day Parade

By PAT BAILEY

Story Created: Mar 7, 2008 at 11:16 AM EDT

Story Updated: Mar 7, 2008 at 12:36 PM EDT

UTICA - If you plan on celebrating, following this year's St. Patrick's Day parade in Utica, extra police officers will be patrolling Varick Street.

Public Safety Commissioner Dan LaBella says the brawl that took place on Varick Street last year following the St. Patrick's Day parade played a role in the police department's decision to increase patrols following this years parade, and set a command post on the corner of Varick and Columbia Streets.

Last year bars on Varick Street were packed - some standing room only.

With the expectation that this year will be the same, LaBella said the increased patrols will serve as a proactive approach to preventing things from getting out of hand.

He said he, along with other law enforcement officials will be meeting with each and every bar owner next week to explain their procedure and warn that occupancy maximums will be enforced this year.

LaBella expects thousands of people on Varick Street following the parade, most of them drinking.

"I don't see it as a problem as long as your prepared for it," LaBella said. "It is a long day for the owners, and obviously they want as many patrons as they can to visit their establishment. So I don't foresee it as a problem. I think we have planned well enough ahead as far as the hours and the manpower who will be attending the festivities."

Because of police protocol, LaBella said that he will not release when those extra patrols will be on duty on Varick Street. However, he did say the command post will be set up for as long as the after hours festivities last.

For more information on the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Utica, check out www.uticaparade.us

Saturday, Mar 15 at 9:20 PM Sue wrote ...

I was raised on Cooper st. right off of Varick street.. Varick Street has become a big JOKE.. It's just a time bomb waiting to go off. It shows just that Utica is just an a city for alcoholics.

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Saturday, Mar 8 at 9:44 PM jack wrote ...

utica has the stanley,th auditorium, munson -williams, fountain elms, a zoo, a great park system, oneida county historical society museum, National runner's museum, 2 nationally recognized colleges,more historical heritage than other cities the same age and size, a great cultural diversity tradition....shall I continue ?

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Saturday, Mar 8 at 11:50 AM audrey wrote ...

Hey Free Kevin and Corey--It WASN'T over zealous cops that started the riot! If you were there and saw what I saw you would know the truth! What bar were you at? A jealeaous drunk punk who flat out assaulted a police officer in uniform started the riot! Get your facts straight and know your details before you post your nonsense!!!

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Saturday, Mar 8 at 11:25 AM Tired Of Excuses wrote ...

I think it is the responsibility of the bar owners to limit the amount of people in the bars to avoid congestion that leads to confrontations. In saying that i think it is also important to keep an eye out for trouble makers and immature people that can't hold their liquor like the ones who fought with police last year. I don't care what the circumstances are, you never put your hands on a uniformed police officer. If you have an issue take it up at the Police station with their bosses.

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Saturday, Mar 8 at 9:03 AM Kevin wrote ...

I agree, the tavern owners and city officals have successfully taken an opportunity for cultural awareness and family time and turned it inot an event that would make St Patrick roll in his tomb...and to consider building a celticcultural center in the same area, doesn't help our cause as a city rich in cultural and varied heritage. shame on u all.

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Friday, Mar 7 at 11:09 PM what? wrote ...

what does utica have...what wholesome attractions?! That is an insane, unreal comment.

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Friday, Mar 7 at 9:20 PM Free kevin and Cory!!! wrote ...

Over zealous cops were the reason the so called riot happened...

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Friday, Mar 7 at 6:52 PM V-Street a joke! wrote ...

Varick street has become a joke due to the simple fact that for every 21 yr old you have 3 underaged drinkers. Pretty sad that 1)law enforcement officials dont see the need to check on these bars more often & 2) that the owners are that hard out for money that they need to resort to letting minors in and drink. The people that go to the after party usually end up getting into trouble because they are highly intoxicated, and your avg. punks that have nothing better to do with their lives.

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Friday, Mar 7 at 3:40 PM BE SERIOUS. wrote ...

This is a stupid article. Some bars were standing room only? Any bar that does a decent amount of business has standing room only. Everyone remembers that there were several arrests during the Saint Patricks Day celebration last year However, it seems as though nobody recalls that most of those arrest charges were dismissed once the court proceedings started. Matter of fact, over zelous police officers took a big part in the start of the so called "riot".

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Friday, Mar 7 at 2:39 PM jack wrote ...

its time the city began to do things that are family oriented and stop depending on varick st for tourist dollars. utica has many other and more wholesome attractions than to be known as a good place to get drunk.

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