The parade was plagued last year by public drinking, violence, assaults, overcrowding, and disorderly conduct, officials said.

The parade will commence from its customary starting point by Broadway MBTA station at 11:30 a.m., according to state Sen. Nick Collins and City Councilor Ed Flynn. They both called for reforms to the parade after a string of assaults,

After an assault near the South Boston St. Patrick's Day parade last year went viral on social media, city and state officials will be cracking down on unruly revelers at the parade this weekend.