Police arrest 12 on Massachusetts beaches amid high temperatures

Local

Officers in Hampton Beach in New Hampshire also made 10 arrests after dispersing a large crowd.

As temperatures soared and people from across the region flocked to local beaches this weekend, police made at least a dozen arrests while ramping up patrols at Revere Beach and Carson Beach.

On Saturday, officers made seven arrests in Revere Beach, according to a Massachusetts State Police publication. They also dispersed large crowds when the beach closed at 8:30 p.m.

Of the people arrested in Revere, four were minors. His charges included assault and battery on a police officer, disorderly conduct, unlawful possession of a knife, and resisting arrest. Additionally, a 52-year-old man was charged with domestic battery, 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.

In Carson Beach in South Boston, five people were arrested by state troopers, according to an MSP post. Two of them were minors. The charges included disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, interfering with a police officer, and possession of fireworks.

Authorities estimated that thousands of people were in Carson Beach at closing time Saturday, and WCVB reported that officials were trying to disperse the crowd by corralling it.

A smaller group was allowed to return to the beach, but a fight broke out between that group. The officials then surrounded the group again and led them away from the beach. WCVB reported.

“Thousands of beachgoers refused to disperse after countless fights broke out. The unruly crowd became a major security issue. Our soldiers were confronted by a large crowd, some of whom attacked responding soldiers while making arrests. One member was set on fire while attempting to make an arrest,” the Massachusetts State Police Association said in a statement.

Additional officers were dispatched to these beaches on Sunday as temperatures approached record highs.

“When our soldiers arrived, they were met with violence, disrespect and criminal behavior. Scenarios like these are difficult to manage, but especially with a Department that is critically understaffed,” the statement said.

Police-related incidents on beaches weren’t limited to Massachusetts this weekend. Ten people were arrested Saturday in Hampton Beach in New Hampshire as officers worked to disperse a large crowd, according to a Hampton police statement. Those arrested were charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

“We anticipate that additional Riot charges will be added,” the statement said.

Officers responded around 6:20 p.m. to reports that fights had broken out within this large gathering, according to the release.

The crowd formed due to “a well-publicized event planned on social media,” authorities said. The police made the decision to disperse the crowd, which left the beach itself and moved to the center of Ocean Boulevard. Traffic was stopped for about an hour as police continued to disperse the crowd. There were no injuries or property damage, according to the statement.

These arrests are the latest in a series of incidents involving beachgoers. Five people, mostly minors, were arrested last Saturday in Revere Beach. His charges included assault, disorderly conduct and violation of a harassment prevention order, authorities said. A minor was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, with potentially serious injuries, the boston globe informed.

These arrests stemmed from a series of fights that broke out near the bandstand, with officers struggling to control hundreds of people.

As a result, state police increased their patrols this weekend.

“Message to the public: We will not let the safety of our community be compromised. These actions are unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” the statement from the Massachusetts State Police Association said.