After the Staten Island St. Patrick’s Parade: Less unruly drinkers, more NYPD support

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.— In the afterglow of last week’s Forest Avenue St. Patrick’s Parade, business owners and residents along the strip spent the following days taking stock of how the day unfolded. The 62nd annual celebration—shaped by nearly a year of planning and stepped-up security—left the avenue spotless by sunrise thanks to meticulous overnight cleanup.

Gary LiGreci of The Staaten said the teen drinking that had alarmed residents in recent years felt far more controlled, creating a comfortable atmosphere for spectators who “really seemed to enjoy the day.” He noted what appeared to be a lighter turnout, likely tied to snow-clogged parking and the forecasted chilly temps, but said that even with the delayed start, the parade “turned out to be a wonderful day.”

Planning over the year

The Richmond County District Attorney’s Office said planning began as early as April 2025, with NYPD, NYC Parks, parade organizers and local businesses meeting throughout the year to address past safety concerns.

Police increased staffing and deployed earlier, added new barrier configurations to ease congestion, and enforced open-container laws. NYC Parks boosted staffing at nearby parks like Allison Pond to deter underage drinking, while the DA’s office ran a teen-focused social-media campaign and worked with local high schools to warn families about legal and school consequences. Local establishments were instructed to strictly check IDs. And that they did.

Several Forest Avenue establishments charged parade-day cover fees, generally between $10 and $30. Attendees said the cost varied by venue but typically included stepped-up security, live entertainment, a warm indoor space and access to restrooms—amenities many considered essential given the cold and heavy foot traffic.

Neil Anastasio of the Forest Regional Residents Civic Association praised the NYPD and DSNY for “an amazing job” preparing and securing the route.

Aside from a few incorrect ‘no parking’ signs on Greg Place and several Hart Boulevard side streets he said most residents were pleased with the improved traffic flow. One lingering concern, he added, is the continued lack of portable public restrooms along the route.

Some parade-goers felt the cold and the brief delay shortened their day. Ronnie Gambon, watching near Italo’s Fine Foods, said her group left earlier than usual after standing in the cold during the police investigation of a “suspicious package.”

“Even with the shortened day, our guests from Michigan loved the small-town feel and strong sense of community,” she said.

Others focused on logistics. Kathleen Malone of Hart Boulevard said she spent several hours sitting in her car early Sunday, worried it would be towed after temporary “no parking” signs went up. “But they never did, and no new cars came onto the block,” she said, adding she hopes the Memorial Day Parade follows the same pattern so residents won’t have to move their cars.

A restaurant owner near Jewett Avenue said business was “very scarce” and urged better coordination around street closures. An Oakland Avenue resident said extended closures left several blocks with “no entrance or exit if an emergency,” calling the situation “a major PIA” and criticizing communication about parking restrictions. Although she noted the underaged drinking, she said her block avoided the disorder seen in past years.

The parade committee and Hibernians thanked the community in a social-media post, crediting elected officials and DSNY for clearing more than 30 inches of snow and praising the year-long effort by District Attorney Michael McMahon, Borough President Vito Fossella, NYPD leadership and local businesses to curb underage drinking— efforts they said were “highly successful.” They also thanked the NYPD for its presence along the route and for responding quickly to an incident near Pelton Avenue.

The parade, slated for 12:30 p.m., didn’t step off until about 1:30 while police checked a Target shopping bag left in the street. The procession resumed once it was cleared, and the crowd booed when the bag’s owner later returned to pick it up.

Police maintained a heavy presence throughout the afternoon, with the Advance/SILive.com’s livestream by Shane DiMaio noting “a lot more officers doing a good job out here” and pointing to new double-barrier setups meant to keep sidewalks moving. Organizers also shifted the lineup farther up Victory Boulevard to ease backups on Hart Boulevard.