- After a two year absence, the South Side Irish Parade is coming back, but not everyone is happy about it.
The parade was scrapped after complaints that parade-goers were getting out of control.
Arrests. Alcohol-induced fights. Countless injuries, even to law enforcement. It's not hard to understand why the South Side Irish Parade was called off for two years.
What's hard for 19th Ward Alderman Matt O'Shea to understand, is why anyone would want To bring it back.
Organizers not only plan to dish out $80,000 in private security, but also plan to launch a new emergency phone number to use on the day of the parade to call in incidents happening live for instant police response.
O'Shea admits the security plans he's seen so far won't cut it.
"I have not seen a public safety plan that makes the neighborhood safe that I'm comfortable with, nor has the Chicago Police department," he said.
Worries About SS Irish Parade
As we close in on the "new and improved" parade, the neighborhood and the aldrecreature express doubts and concerns:
Supposedly underwritten by a bunch of beer distributors and local drinking establishments, this has the very real potential for blowing up in their faces.