Officials are hoping for a less rowdy Boston St. Patrick’s Day parade this year with a plan that includes an earlier start time and a different parade route. “Boston’s a wonderful city. This is a tradition in our city for a very long period of time and we’d like to keep it a very nice tradition,

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

We are deeply grateful for the men and women who serve and protect our community daily,” parade officials said.