St. Patrick's Day

Pittsburgh holds its St. Patrick's Day Parade next Saturday.

Thousands of people will pack downtown streets to celebrate Irish culture –

And post-parade celebrations will continue in local bars and restaurants.

It's a fact.

St. Patrick's Day has become a cross between a family-friendly holiday –

And an all-day pub crawl.

It's a big money-maker for Pittsburgh bars and restaurants –

And a public safety headache.

In past years – Pittsburgh's South Side has seen traffic jams –

Crowds spilling off sidewalks –

And fights.

The Peduto administration says it has a security plan for Saturday –

And will – if necessary – ask Allegheny County or State police for help.

South Side businesses have created a transportation plan to ease congestion.

What they can't do is make people behave responsibly.

That's an individual decision –

And is the real key to everyone having a fun – and safe – holiday.

There's nothing wrong with raising a glass in Erin's honor –

It just shouldn't be a public drunkfest.