After handling dozens of alcohol-related crimes on St. Patrick's Day last year, the State College Police Department is stepping up enforcement for this year's celebration.

Extra officers from State College Police and other agencies will be stationed throughout the borough from 4 p.m. today until 4 a.m. tomorrow.

"The ultimate goal is to make the streets, sidewalks and neighborhoods safer and more orderly," Sgt. Dana Leonard said.

"I'm hopeful people will adjust their behavior," he added.

Leonard said that the holiday brings an increased amount of alcohol-related activity.

"Last year it was on a Wednesday, and we had 45 alcohol-fueled crimes," Leonard said.

"Those are significant numbers for a routine night. ...They're numbers we might encounter on a Penn State football weekend," he added.

Leonard said that Pennsylvania State Police and the Centre County Alcohol Task Force (CCATF) would be assisting the efforts.

"At a minimum, we have nine additional State College police [officers] and eight state troopers," he said.

Ferguson Township Detective and CCATF Coordinator John Conti said undercover officers will be stationed in state stores and bars throughout the Centre Region.

"My team is made up of plainclothes officers from the Centre Region. ...We'll have close to 15 plainclothes officers scattered throughout the Centre Region," he said. "They're looking for those that purchase alcohol for those under 21 years of age."

Conti said St. Patrick's Day is typically as busy as New Year's Eve for alcohol incidents.

"After what we've been seeing with the numbers ... this seems to be the No. 1 date that we have problems with alcohol-related incidents, so we've stepped up our efforts," he said.

Leonard said extra officers will also be focused downtown and in the Highlands and Holmes/Foster neighborhoods.

"The troopers will be on the streets downtown," he said. "Our Source Investigation Project officers will be in the Highlands and Holmes neighborhoods."

Penn State University Police Supervisor Dwight Smith said they will have a full staff on duty for the holiday.

"Most of the activity is downtown, but I'm sure we'll deal with our share of public intoxication," he said. "We'll be prepared to assist the borough if necessary."

Smith said the holiday is similar to a football weekend or the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts in terms of celebration.

"St. Patrick's Day is perceived by many as a day to go out and overindulge [in alcohol]," he said. "It's always worrisome any time there is an event that is perceived as an alcohol-related type of event."

Dave Wells, operations manager for Dante's Restaurants Inc., a company that owns several local restaurants and bars, said students make up a large part of the business on the holiday.

"St. Patrick's Day is a day when people come out to celebrate," he said.

Leonard said police have a busier day when St. Patrick's Day falls toward the end of the week.

"When it falls on a Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday, it increases the workload," he said.