Exuberant young people take revelry to the streets

Hundreds of revelers, college students, and youths in their 20s paraded through streets and plazas in Boston early this morning to celebrate Barack Obama's triumph in yesterday's presidential election.

Dozens jumped into the reflecting pool at Christian Science Center after marching from the Boston Public Library, along Huntington Avenue, waving Obama signs and chanting, "USA."

"It was the excitement of it all," said Becky Tinker of Connecticut, a 19-year-old sophomore at Emerson College. "This was such a historic night, why not do what you want?"

Police reported no arrests as of 12:45 this morning. They seemed to let the crowds celebrate, guiding revelers along streets while patrolling the area on motorcycles to make sure no one was disorderly.

The exuberant crowds gathered near Fairmont Copley Plaza, where the state Democratic Party held its celebrations. Even those who did not take part in the celebrations marveled at the sight of the festivities.

"It's a historic election and we have a lot of kids who are excited and loud, but so far they've all celebrated appropriately," said police Superintendent Daniel Linskey, head of police operations. "It's just a lot of happy, jubilant kids, and we're helping them celebrate appropriately."

Linskey said police had extra officers on duty since early yesterday as part of their plan.