St. Patrick's Day: What to do and what not to do
Historically, St. Patrick’s Day
is filled with sunshine, above zero
temperatures and drinks. Lots of
drinks.
Regardless of how you celebrate the day, there are a few things you can do to make the day an enjoyable – and regret-free – one.
The London Police Service will be beefing up patrol for St. Paddy’s, but that doesn’t mean police will be crashing your party unless invited.
“Don’t give any reason to invite us to your party, and we won’t attend,” said Const. Ken Steeves, media relations officer for LPS. “As long as you’re not bothering anyone else.”
Steeves says that at last year’s festivities, students and Londoners were quite co-operative.
“Even the people that we seized kegs from … thanked us,” he said. “If everyone’s co-operative, there should be no negative [repercussions].”
“We’re doing our job, and we’ve got to ensure that even neighbours have the lawful enjoyment of their property.”
Steeves warns to stay off the streets, however. It becomes a safety hazard when service vehicles need road access.
“Not only that, but pedestrians don’t have the right to take over the street unless they have a permit,” Steeves says.
In addition to that, he warns Londoners about having open-door parties.
“There’s been times where we have seen known criminals in the area, attending these parties,” he said. “Oftentimes, there are several people in the home, and it’s very difficult to identify who’s responsible, whether it be damage or stolen items.”
St. Paddy’s festivities tend to start in the morning, and because of this, the Fanshawe Student Union has planned alternative activities. The intent is to give students something else to do instead of drinking early in the morning.
“[This is] just to give students an alternative to drinking on St. Patrick’s Day instead of heading out to downtown early in the day,” said Carol Balzer, FSU administrative services manager.
Balzer says these events were put in place due to issues London has experienced in the past. But it’s also to cater to students with varying interests.
“We have a wide variety of students on our campus, and we should be providing different opportunities for them besides just pubs and drinking events,” she said. “This is a good alternative to get a lot of different types of people involved.”
March 11- Comedy Night, First Run Film
March 12 - Annual St. Patrick’s Day Pub
March 13 - Tim Hicks concert
March 16 - Monday night hockey at The Out Back Shack
March 17 - Tournament – Table tennis and dodgeball
“It’s fun and they get free prizes and T-shirts and food, and they get to be active, and they get to do something they normally wouldn’t do on a regular day of classes,” Balzer said. Students can register at Athletics
To ensure a fun – but safe – St. Patrick’s Day, Steeves stresses what not to do.
- Urinate in public
- Open alcohol in public
- Consuming alcohol in public
- Underage possession and consumption
- Selling alcohol without a permit
- Trespassing
- Drunk in public
- Noise violations
He does have one message for students, however.
“Have fun, enjoy yourself. Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day, but do so responsibly.”
Regardless of how you celebrate the day, there are a few things you can do to make the day an enjoyable – and regret-free – one.
The London Police Service will be beefing up patrol for St. Paddy’s, but that doesn’t mean police will be crashing your party unless invited.
“Don’t give any reason to invite us to your party, and we won’t attend,” said Const. Ken Steeves, media relations officer for LPS. “As long as you’re not bothering anyone else.”
Steeves says that at last year’s festivities, students and Londoners were quite co-operative.
“Even the people that we seized kegs from … thanked us,” he said. “If everyone’s co-operative, there should be no negative [repercussions].”
“We’re doing our job, and we’ve got to ensure that even neighbours have the lawful enjoyment of their property.”
Steeves warns to stay off the streets, however. It becomes a safety hazard when service vehicles need road access.
“Not only that, but pedestrians don’t have the right to take over the street unless they have a permit,” Steeves says.
In addition to that, he warns Londoners about having open-door parties.
“There’s been times where we have seen known criminals in the area, attending these parties,” he said. “Oftentimes, there are several people in the home, and it’s very difficult to identify who’s responsible, whether it be damage or stolen items.”
St. Paddy’s festivities tend to start in the morning, and because of this, the Fanshawe Student Union has planned alternative activities. The intent is to give students something else to do instead of drinking early in the morning.
“[This is] just to give students an alternative to drinking on St. Patrick’s Day instead of heading out to downtown early in the day,” said Carol Balzer, FSU administrative services manager.
Balzer says these events were put in place due to issues London has experienced in the past. But it’s also to cater to students with varying interests.
“We have a wide variety of students on our campus, and we should be providing different opportunities for them besides just pubs and drinking events,” she said. “This is a good alternative to get a lot of different types of people involved.”
March 11- Comedy Night, First Run Film
March 12 - Annual St. Patrick’s Day Pub
March 13 - Tim Hicks concert
March 16 - Monday night hockey at The Out Back Shack
March 17 - Tournament – Table tennis and dodgeball
“It’s fun and they get free prizes and T-shirts and food, and they get to be active, and they get to do something they normally wouldn’t do on a regular day of classes,” Balzer said. Students can register at Athletics
To ensure a fun – but safe – St. Patrick’s Day, Steeves stresses what not to do.
- Urinate in public
- Open alcohol in public
- Consuming alcohol in public
- Underage possession and consumption
- Selling alcohol without a permit
- Trespassing
- Drunk in public
- Noise violations
He does have one message for students, however.
“Have fun, enjoy yourself. Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day, but do so responsibly.”
