NPD beefing up patrols for St. Patrick’s Day events

Posted on March 12, 2024
NPD
Drivers can expect a larger police presence over the weekend. (Photo courtesy: NPD/File)

By Blake Haas

NORMAL – St. Patrick’s Day is known for luck, green beer, and heritage celebrations, but it’s also known as one of the busiest drinking days of the year.

For those sipping on green beer, Normal Police are encouraging drivers not to get behind the wheel.
Thanks to a grant from the Illinois Department of Transpiration, police in Normal are adding beefed-up patrols for the weekend.

“We will be having extra patrols out on the roads, trying to look for impaired drivers or those who are not wearing their seat belts,” NPD Officer Brad Park told WJBC’s Neil Doyle. “Obviously, safety is very big this time of year, so St. Patrick’s Day is a time that we try to focus on that.”

Not only are police beefing up patrols for the weekend, but they also expect an extra presence at the St. Patrick’s Day Sharin’ of the Green Parade.

WJBC will drive a station vehicle in the parade after a hangout with WJBC’s Neil Doyle at Maggie Miley’s in Uptown Normal from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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