“It’s part of what we have to do,” East Lansing police Capt. Jeff Murphy said. “It’s just something we have to plan for, like a football weekend or Welcome Week and things like that.”
Murphy and MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said extra officers always are called upon for the St. Patrick’s Day festivities to help out, regardless of whether the day falls on a weekday or not.
“We are always diligent in watching the activities that are going on,” she said. “We will have extra people on watching to make sure people are safe.”
The day also is seen as an important time to keep the roads safe by the Michigan State Police. They recently released a statement saying that from now until April 7, extra enforcement is planned for 26 counties in Michigan, including Ingham.
“If alcohol is part of the festivities, make sure to catch a ride home,” Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning director Michael L. Prince said in the statement. “Make the smart choice and catch a sober ride home.”
The increase comes in response to the start of the NCAA Tournament in addition to St. Patrick’s Day, something that also is contributing to the increased East Lansing police officers, Murphy said.
He said there will be an increase in officers in preparation for both events.
Because the day falls on a Monday and the weather isn’t expected to be too warm, he said he believes the crowds should be more subdued.
March 2012 saw record-setting temperatures hit around the holiday, which fell on a Saturday and made for a busy day, he said.
“When you have warm weather this early in spring, people see a reason besides the holiday to go out,” he said. “It’s just one of those days in East Lansing you have to plan for in advance.”
