Local

Several dozen charged in Pittsburgh's St. Pat's celebrations

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh police said there were no major criminal incidents or problems during the city's St. Patrick's Day parade on Saturday, or at celebrations afterward, though 71 people were arrested or cited, mostly for alcohol-related infractions.

Public Safety Director Michael Huss said about 23,000 people lined the parade route, many of whom then celebrated in the city -- and were joined by other revelers -- most at Market Square or the South Side, a redeveloped neighborhood with a large concentration of bars.

Huss credited businesses with working with police to avoid more serious problems. The South Side Chamber of Commerce, for example, expanded taxi service, valet parking and the use of pedicabs to get people safely from place to place and to avoid drunken driving problems.