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Expect more security at both Richmond St. Patrick’s day events

Posted at 7:23 PM, Mar 12, 2014
and last updated 2014-03-12 19:24:39-04

[ooyala code=”5wMmo1bDr5v_OTqHIS-Z8fbjJqk2Z9Zx” player_id=”6c21d43b06ee4460a29e40d9542c86ae”]RICHMOND, VA (WTVR) — Nearly 12 months and 200,000 Youtube views later, the 2013 Shamrock the Block Viral Video is still a topic of conversation among Richmonders.

With St. Patrick’s Day weekend festivities on the horizon, some are wondering how will security be improved, especially now with two major events happening in different parts of the city at the same time.

Shamrock the Block will now happen on the Boulevard.

Shockoe Fest is a newly created event in Shockoe Bottom.

According to Scott’s Addition President Brooks Stone, there will be twice as much security on hand this year at Shamrock the Block compared to the event in the Bottom event last year.

Barricades will keep crowds contained, and there will be fixed entrance and exit points.

Richmond Police will also offer aerial cameras, according to Stone.

“We have plenty of space, it can be monitored – we don’t have any alleyways,” Logan Thrall, a manager at En Su Boca in the Boulevard said.

Over in Shockoe Bottom, security will also be improved.

Neighborhood Association President David Napier anticipates spending $30,000 dollars this year on security improvements.

“Four times the amount of security will be here this year as opposed to last year,” Napier said.

Richmond Police Department did not respond to requests for an interview on the subject of keeping residents safe during the dueling St. Patricks Day events.