Crime & Safety

St. Patrick's Parade In Seaside Will Draw Revelers, DWI Patrols

Extra patrols will be looking for impaired drivers, so if you start seeing leprechauns, you might not want to drive.

The 2018 St. Patrick's Parade drew thousands of revelers to Seaside Heights.
The 2018 St. Patrick's Parade drew thousands of revelers to Seaside Heights. (Karen Wall/Patch file photo)

If you're one of the thousands planning to head to Seaside Heights on Saturday for the annual Ocean County St. Patrick's Day Parade and raise a pint of Guinness in toast, a few words of warning: don't drink and drive.

A special traffic enforcement detail that will be looking for impaired drivers will be in place following the parade, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced Thursday.

The traffic detail will be in place from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. along Route 35 between Seaside Park and Point Pleasant Beach and along Route 37 from Seaside Heights to Manchester, the prosecutor's office said. There will be extra police officers from 11 towns plus the prosecutor's office, and New Jersey State Police, as well as assistance from the state Department of Transportation.

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Billhimer also urged people to report drivers who appear to be driving drunk.

"If you see someone you believe is posing a hazard because of poor driving behaviors, please dial #77 from a hands-free mobile device to contact the aggressive driver tip line and make a report. Please be prepared to give a description of the vehicle and occupants, a location and direction, and a license plate if possible," he said.

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The Ocean County St. Patrick's Day Parade steps off at noon on the Boulevard. State Assemblyman Gregory McGuckin is the grand marshal this year, and the parade is honoring municipal workers, according to Exit 82, the town's business and tourism information website.

The police department involved are:

  • Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office
  • Seaside Heights Police Department
  • Seaside Park Police Department
  • Berkeley Township Police Department
  • Toms River Police Department
  • Lavallette Police Department
  • Brick Township Police Department
  • Mantoloking Police Department
  • Bay Head Police Department
  • Point Pleasant Beach Police Department
  • Manchester Township Police Department
  • Lakehurst Police Department
  • New Jersey State Police
  • and the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

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