Police said they're making changes to this year's St. Patrick's Day parade in hopes of preventing some of the problems from last year.

Boston St. Patrick’s Day celebration will begin earlier to curb ‘tomfoolery’ - Visitors to the parade last year were accused of assaults, public urination, public drunkenness, and destroying city prop

Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox encouraged parents of children and teenagers to consider accompanying them to the parade, as unaccompanied young people and underage drinking was a factor in the violence at the parade last year.