Police stepping up patrols for St. Patrick’s Day

MARQUETTE — One of the busiest days not only for bars but also law enforcement is coming up Friday. When celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, there are some things to keep in mind to ensure safety for all party goers.

In order to keep the roads safe, extra Marquette Police Department officials will be patrolling the streets along with downtown locations, such as bars. Planning ahead is encouraged for this day, such as choosing a designated driver, creating a plan of walking to all locations, or calling a taxi.

While it is important to be aware of other drivers on this day, watching for intoxicated pedestrians is also something to be conscious of.

“Use your head, designate a driver. If you are the designated driver, watch for drunken pedestrians too. One thing you’re going to see is a bigger uptake in the amount of foot traffic as well,” said Marquette Police Department, Sergeant Ryan Grim.

Other than having a designated driver, Checker Cab can be called at the number on your screen and the wait time is typically around 15 minutes but can be slightly longer on busy holidays, such as St. Patty’s Day. If you notice any passengers driving vehicles that could be under the influence, it is encouraged to call the police department with a description of the vehicle and the direction in where they are heading.