Police ready for Hoboken Lepre-Con event

HOBOKEN, N.J. (WABC) -- Hoboken, New Jersey expects large crowds this weekend for the first "Lepre-Con" celebration.

The bar crawl replaces the canceled Saint Patrick's Parade that was traditionally held on the first weekend of March.

Police are warning people to limit drinking to inside bars and not on the streets.

The Guinness truck rolls in for a delivery.

It's a sure sign that Hoboken's gearing up for its annual St. Patrick's Day blowout.

"Crazy, crazy, crazy. I have a business here. I'm closing it. That's how crazy it gets. And I'm leaving town," business owner Megan Carnahan said.

This year, for the first time, the city's not hosting a parade.

Police Chief Anthony Falco's been meeting with local and county agencies to plan for this new scenario.

"The entire department is called out. There will be staggered hours," Chief Falco said.

Plus, every police department in the county is donating personnel.

"We should have enough to cover the entire city and cover anything that might come up," Chief Falco adds.

For the first time, Chief Falco recorded a phone message sent to every Hoboken resident.

He says there will be zero tolerance.

That Hoboken police won't tolerate "no nonsense from nobody".

Signs up in bar windows say the same.

Zero tolerance for:

-Public drinking

-Disorderly persons

-Public urination

-Unruly house parties

Violations could cost up to $2,000 and community service.

Last year, police handed out 237 violations.

The Police Chief says his department gives bars a special permit so that they can hire extra security for the day.

"The staff comes in really early at six or seven in the morning and they hire double the staff that they usually have," bartender Colleen O'Brien said.

Marty O'Brien's and other bars open from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.

Good news for Jake who traveled from Maryland.

"I heard that it's worth the drive. We'll see," Jake said.

The city has 250 officers ready to go and the Chief thinks Hoboken's prepared.

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new jersey, hoboken, st. patrick's day, police, new jersey news, jamie roth

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