Boston Police go over rules for St. Patrick's Day parade, hope to curtail "unlawful behavior"
Boston Police said they're making changes to this year's St. Patrick's Day parade in hopes of preventing some of the problems South Boston saw last year.
Earlier start time
This year, the parade will start at 11:30 a.m. instead of 1 p.m. to make the parade more family-friendly. Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said they're expecting large crowds, as always.
"Our goal is to enhance public safety and cut down on public drinking and curtail the unlawful behavior that we've experienced, particularly with last year for this event," said Cox.
In 2024, 10 people were arrested along the parade route for charges including disorderly conduct and assault and battery. A drunk man allegedly armed with a gun was also arrested at the parade near the Andrew Red Line T station.
"We ask anyone coming to treat this event and the neighborhood as if it was your home," said Cox. "Boston is a welcoming city but the fact is we do not welcome unruly and unlawful behavior."
What are the rules surrounding the parade?
Paradegoers are encouraged to take the T to the parade, as parking will be very limited and some streets will be closed. Cox reminded paradegoers there is no drinking or smoking on the T.
Cox also went over rules for paradegoers and people celebrating in South Boston:
No backpacks or large purses and bags are allowed at the parade
Underage drinking and open containers will not be tolerated
Liquor stores in South Boston will close at 4 p.m.
Taverns and restaurants will stop admitting people at 6 p.m. and alcohol service will end at 7 p.m.
People hosting parties along the parade route will be responsible for their guests
Parents encouraged to accompany children
Cox encouraged parents of children and teenagers to consider accompanying them to the parade, as unaccompanied young people and underage drinking was a factor in the violence at the parade last year.
"This is a family-friendly event, this is not a drinking fest," said Cox. "And so we will be enforcing all alcohol laws pertaining to illegal substances and drinking in general. And so we encourage parents if you allow your young folks to come to this event, that you actually accompany with them."
"It's not Mardi Gras and it's not meant to be that way," said Boston EMS Chief James Hooley.
The Boston Fire Department is asking people to be aware of occupancy limits on decks and patios as they could be at risk of collapse. People are also asked not to gather on roofs unless there's an actual roof deck.
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'As far as declaring his innocence, he's going to have to come in to take care of that,' Fair said. Here's what we know about Groves, a man with a violent past whose escape has drawn controversial support. Groves' criminal record dates back to 2014, when he was charged for attempted second-degree murder at age 17. He was eventually found not guilty, according to court records. Last October, Groves was convicted for the second time in the killing of two people on Mardi Gras Day in 2018. After his initial conviction in 2019, a new law calling for unanimous verdicts forced Groves into a second trial — which ended in a mistrial due to a juror reading media reports about the case. A third trial ended in a deadlock, and Groves was finally convicted again last year after a fourth trial, the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office detailed in a news release about the conviction. Groves was determined to be one of two gunmen who opened fire with AK-47-style assault rifles 'on what should have been a joyous Mardi Gras family gathering,' according to the DA's office. Groves was found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Jamar Robinson and Byron Jackson and two counts of attempted second-degree murder for the shooting of two other victims, charges that carry a life sentence, the district attorney said. Prosecutors used social media to help convict Groves, indicating that his online activity 'played a chilling role' in their case. Groves' posted on social media days after the killings showing his familiarity with the weapons used in the incident, according to the DA's office. He 'brazenly boasted about the violence' and even took credit for the killings, officials said. Three witnesses also 'courageously' testified, identifying Groves and his co-defendant as the gunmen, the DA's office said. 'Groves routinely used violence to lash out and silence witnesses or 'snitches,'' Myrthil said at the time. 'There was no doubt in the minds of anyone involved in this case that Groves would continue his bloody rampage on the streets of New Orleans if he weren't stopped. We hope this guilty verdict and the life sentence that accompanies it will give the community renewed confidence and hope in law enforcement.' Because of delays caused by Groves' attorney being suspended from practicing law and the judge in the case recusing herself, Groves was still awaiting sentencing for that conviction at the Orleans Justice Center when he escaped, Keith D. Lampkin, a spokesman for the DA's office, detailed. In April 2024, before his conviction in the double murder, Groves was charged with battery of a correctional facility employee. He pleaded guilty in that case, court records show. After Groves' escape, prosecutors and witnesses associated with the double murder left town 'out of an abundance of caution,' Lampkin told CNN. He did not elaborate. Groves' aunt, Jasmine Groves, told CNN affiliate WDSU that she wants her nephew to turn himself in and that she hopes deadly force will not be used to get him back into custody. She told the station that her family does not know where her nephew is and that the days since his escape have been a nightmare. Jasmine Groves added that Groves' mother was taken from her home against her will by law enforcement officials. US Marshals confirmed to WDSU that they went to Groves' mother's home to question her. 'For my family, it's been like reliving a constant nightmare that we relived throughout these whole 30 years,' she said. Groves is the grandson of Kim Groves, who was killed in a notorious murder-for-hire plot in the Ninth Ward in 1994, the DA's office said. 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