Safety efforts taken during popular pub crawl

By Keller Russell

CREATED Mar. 9, 2013

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MILWAUKEE - Safety was a focus for a popular pub crawl this weekend.

Event organizers of the Shamrock Shuffle hired independent security to help participants cross streets safely.

The drinking fest draws thousands to Milwaukee's North Ave and this year, Water Street.

Taylor Dufor and her friends look forward to the fun. But they also plan to party safe this year.

"We all talked about having us be together at the same time and make sure that we're all together when we go home because it's the most important thing."

It's front and center with recent headlines of tragedy after a night of drinking.

"We've heard stories about past years..."

Tom Hecht disappeared last year after participating in a similar pub crawl for St. Patrick's day. His body was recovered from the river two weeks later.

In fall 2010, UWM student Ryan Fiek fell to his death after a day of drinking at a pub crawl.

Both men had blood alcohol levels nearly three times the legal limit for driving.

And just this New Year's eve UWM student Nick Wilcox disappeared after a night out at the bars. He still hasn't been found.

"I do think about it and I worry."

Jaclyn Leibham was taking part in her first pub crawl.

"We know we have to stay together and just keep our head on our shoulders the entire time."

Sara Mayvel's group set specific times to meet at different bars. If someone doesn't show, they wait and won't leave til they're found.

"The people who aren't safe about it, it's just not OK. It's just like you need to think about that," said Mayville.

Police added this advice: "Let's take that friends drive drunk analogy and put that towards, friends dont let friends walk drunk and wander through neighborhoods as well".

Leibham and her friends are taking that to heart.

"No walking. We're in distance but I made sure..no walking tonight."