By Rick Sobey
Boston Herald
BOSTON — Staties responding to brawls, fireworks and underage drinking at Boston’s Carson Beach and Revere Beach were greeted with “violence, disrespect, and criminal behavior,” the Massachusetts State Police union said after the weekend chaos at the area beaches.
The troopers ended up making 12 arrests at the two beaches — five arrests at Carson Beach and seven arrests at Revere Beach — as thousands of people thronged the shore during the unseasonably hot weekend.
“When our Troopers arrived, they were met with violence, disrespect, and criminal behavior,” the State Police Association of Massachusetts said in a statement. “Scenarios like these are difficult to handle, but especially so with a Department that has critically low staffing levels.”
“Thousands of beachgoers refused to disperse after countless fights broke out,” the union wrote about the Carson Beach situation. “The unruly crowd became a major safety concern. Our Troopers were confronted with a large crowd, some of whom attacked the responding Troopers while they were effecting arrests. One member had his cover set on fire while trying to perform an arrest.”
The “cover” referenced by the union refers to the trooper’s hat.
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Troopers made a total of five arrests at Carson Beach. Two of the people taken into custody were juveniles. Charges included disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, interfering with a police officer and possession of fireworks.
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Up at Revere Beach, troopers made a total of seven arrests, of which four were juveniles. One of the juveniles was charged with assault and battery on a police officer. A 52-year-old man was charged with domestic assault, a 61-year-old man was charged with procuring alcohol for a minor and a 27-year-old woman was charged with operating under the influence of drugs.
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“Going to the beach with family, friends and loved ones is a longtime treasured New England tradition,” the State Police Association of Massachusetts said. “Everyone should be able to enjoy the beautiful weather and beachfront at DCR properties the Commonwealth has to offer.
“It is disheartening that a group of individuals have created such an unsafe environment that families, and other communities members are not able to partake at the beach without fear of violence,” the union added. “The Association would like to thank all of our members who responded yesterday as well as our law enforcement partners who helped bring a chaotic situation to an end safely.”
Meanwhile in New Hampshire, Hampton Police responded to fights on the beach. Police ordered people to disperse, and officers made 10 arrests.
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