Milwaukee police preparing for St. Patrick's Day festivities
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Lacey Crisp reports how the police are preparing for hundreds of pub crawlers. Video by tmj4.com
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MILWAUKEE - On Saturday, North Ave is expected to be packed with green shirt wearing, green beer drinking crowds.
Friday, the bars are preparing, and so is the police department.
“It’s all about having a lot of fun,” said TJ Rodee.
Rodee was out drinking on St. Patrick’s day last year. You may remember it was a really warm day, and thousands showed up to celebrate. Police asked the bars to close early.
“It was pretty crazy actually. We were down on Water Street, and the bars there were pretty nuts,” Rodee said.
Alex Gers hopes it’s just as fun this year.
“Chaos. I think everyone will be having a good time, and spring break is next week,” Gers said.
That chaos is exactly what the police department is trying to prevent.
“There will be extra officers around both on foot. You'll see the mounted unit here, and officers patrolling in cars,” said Milwaukee Police Captain Stephen Basting.
Last year Thomas Hect went missing during a St. Patrick’s day pub crawl. His body was later found in the river. This year the police department is trying to be as proactive as possible.
We have patrols along the Riverwalk and the organizer for the bar crawl is going to be patrolling the bridges as well,” Captain Basting said.
Partiers say the extra officers are a welcome sight.
“I think everyone needs to be responsible for their own actions. The police can only do so much,” Gers said.
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