Past celebrations have proven that Boston is home to some of the most passionate — and riotous — sports fans.
And while city officials urged fans to show Celtic pride during a “pep conference” at City Hall yesterday, they also urged fans to act responsibly.
“There’s always concern, but I just think we have a coordinated plan,” Mayor Thomas Menino said of potentially raucous fans gathering as the C’s fight for banner 18.
Police patrols will increase throughout the Finals around the TD Garden and a clinching scenario will include a more significant visible presence, police said.
Police asked newspaper outlets to remove distribution boxes from the North Station, Kenmore Square and Faneuil Hall areas as part of their safety efforts for the remainder of the Finals. Some bar owners said they met with city officials who told them about restrictions during a clinching game. Those include closing patios by a certain time and not admitting patrons after the third quarter.
Hurricane O’Reilly’s on Canal Street will increase staffing levels for the games. Sheldon Cohen, the bar’s general manager, said he expects the place to be filled with fans.
“In 2008 everyone was going nuts inside, but for the most part it was well behaved,” Cohen said.
