'Takeovers' at Hampton Beach in N.H. lead to multiple fights and arrests

Planned “Hampton Beach Takeover” events and advertised school skip days drew several thousands of visitors to Hampton Beach. Authorities prepared for the day with a crowd control response team, anticipating that the events typically devolve into drinking, fighting, disorderly, and unsafe behavior. Shortly before 4 p.m., heavy rain forced hundreds of beachgoers to seek shelter, and physical altercations began breaking out all at once at the Hampton Beach Casino and Bandshell Complex. New Hampshire State Police Special Events Response Team members assisted with an unlawful assembly while wearing tactical gear. Officers formed skirmish lines, moved the crowd north on Ocean Boulevard, maintained patrols overnight, and formed a second skirmish line around 8:20 p.m. The area was cleared around 9:40 p.m., with 127 service calls and 50 total arrests reported.

"Authorities were prepared for the day, as two “Hampton Beach Takeover” events and several school skip days had been advertised on social media, Hampton Police Chief Alexander Reno told Boston.com in a statement. These “takeover” events typically “devolve into drinking, fighting, disorderly, and generally unsafe behavior,” he said. Authorities had already organized a crowd control response team, as several thousands of visitors were enjoying the beach, according to Reno."

"The situation shifted shortly before 4 p.m. when heavy rain forced hundreds of beachgoers to seek shelter. It was during this time that physical altercations “began popping off,” with numerous fights “breaking out all at once” within the Hampton Beach Casino and Bandshell Complex, Reno said. New Hampshire State Police's Special Events Response Team assisted with what they described as an “unlawful assembly” and wore tactical gear, according to a statement posted on Facebook."

"Officers formed a “skirmish line” and moved the “riotous” crowd north on Ocean Boulevard, Reno said. Patrols were maintained throughout the night. As the sun returned, Reno noted a “resurgence of these grounds.” Police said they formed a second “skirmish line” around 8:20 p.m., dispersing several hundred additional disorderly individuals. “This second push was more expansive but less dynamic,” Reno said."

"The area was cleared by police units around 9:40 p.m. During these “takeovers,” several arrests took place. Reno said police ultimately managed 127 service calls and conducted 50 total arrests. “While Troopers are committed to ensuring the safety of all beachgoers, any observed criminal behavior could lead to citations or arrests,” the statement reads."

Read at Boston.com