Officials are stepping up security for the annual Saint Anthony’s Feast in Boston’s North End this year. The security increase comes after several reports of underage drinking at last year’s celebration. The festival begins Thursday and runs through Sunday night, and organizers are preparing to enforce new protocols.

“What we’re trying to do is make sure that festival goers, as well as our neighborhood is safe so, we’ve implemented some security,” said Jason Aluia, a Saint Anthony’s Feast trustee. For more than 100 years, Saint Anthony’s Feast has celebrated Italian heritage with food, drinks, and live music. However, the past few years have seen an increase of issues.