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Police Warn Those Planning To Celebrate St. Paddy's Day Downtown

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It's turned into one of the biggest weekends for partying in Charm City. St. Patrick's Day festivities get underway on Saturday.

Jessica Kartalija reports police have a warning for everyone planning to head downtown this weekend.

Baltimore loves to go green, embracing St. Patrick's Day and even making a weekend out of it.

Unfortunately, with the festivities, things have been known to get a little out of control. The vicious beating of a tourist last year was far from the only chaos unfolding on St. Patrick's Day.

Police used their chopper, CitiWatch cameras and officers on the ground to control huge crowds.

"The main areas that will be impacted by the St. Patrick's Day festivities will be downtown Baltimore, Canton, Fells Point and Federal Hill," police said. "Some of these officers and law enforcement entities will be seen and some will be unseen."

Recordings from the police department reveal several fights downtown in an area from the Block to Baltimore Arena.

Police are passing out a flier with recommendations and expectations to those who plan to celebrate the holiday downtown.

"To ensure that our residents and visitors have a safe and festive St. Patrick's Day weekend in downtown Baltimore," said police.

Police are reminding everyone it's illegal to have an open container of alcohol outside of designated areas.

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