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Increasing fights, vandalism, unsafe conduct result in July 4th restrictions on 3 Dennis beaches

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Jun 20, 2024 / 5290 Views

Evan Walker

Town of Dennis and Dennis Police Department Announce New Restrictions for Beaches on Fourth of July

Town Administrator Elizabeth Sullivan and Police Chief John Brady announced new restrictions this week for Dennis, Massachusetts beaches that will be put into effect on the Fourth of July.

The restrictions are being implemented after several incidents of dangerous conduct, fighting, assaults, vandalism, binge drinking, drug use, loud music, and other concerning behavior at the local area beaches this, and in recent, years. Since 2019, there has been a 100% increase in beach-related calls for emergency services at the three beaches, which are connected geographically.

Over the past three years, particularly at Mayflower Beach, police have seen a dramatic increase in unsafe and dangerous conduct, fighting, assaults, vandalism, binge drinking, drug use, loud music and other concerning behavior. Since 2019, there has been a 100% increase in beach-related calls for emergency services at Dennis Northside beaches (Mayflower, Chapin and Bayview), which are connected geographically. Department data shows that Dennis Police responded to more than 1,200 calls for service at Town beaches over the past three July 4th holidays, including 459 calls last year.

The restrictions will be put in place at Mayflower Beach, Chapin Memorial Beach, and Bayview Beach on July 4 only.

A press conference announcing the restrictions was held TODAY, Wednesday, June 19, at 1 p.m. at the Mayflower Beach parking lot, 2 Dunes View Road, in Dennis.

Speaking at the event were: Dennis Police Chief John “Jack” Brady, Dennis Select Board Chair Christopher Lambton, and Dennis Beach and Recreation Director, Dustin Pineau.

“Dennis is home to some of the best beaches on Cape Cod, including Mayflower Beach. Our goal with these measures is to make sure that beachgoers can enjoy Dennis beaches this July 4th holiday safely without worrying about out-of-control crowds, violence, and other dangerous behavior,” Chief Brady said.

The Town of Dennis and Dennis Police will be announcing the new restrictions for July 4 at Mayflower Beach, Chapin Memorial Beach and Bayview Beach. They are:

No Daily Parking Passes will be sold or accepted on July 4 at Mayflower Beach, Chapin Beach or Bayview Beach.

Only those who have a residential, seasonal or weekly parking sticker will be allowed entrance to the beach parking lots. Checkpoints will be established by police to check for passes.

A parking ban will be in full effect in the neighborhoods and businesses adjacent to the beaches, and vehicles found in violation will be subject to being ticketed and/or towed.

There will be zero tolerance for alcohol consumption, drug use, overly loud music and unsafe behavior at the beaches on July 4.

Officers will be out in full numbers, and Dennis Police will be bringing in additional resources to help in this effort.

Those found in violation will be subject to a written citation and a fine of $50.

To provide further context, data was released on calls for service and significant incidents at Dennis beaches since 2019:

2019
Calls for service at Dennis Beaches: 230.

No arrests.

Two small groups arguing.

Medical and rescue calls.

Parking and traffic-related issues.

2020
Calls for service at Dennis Beaches: 169.

No arrests.

Rowdy kids on the beach.

Medical and rescue calls.

Parking and traffic-related issues.

2021
Calls for service at Dennis Beaches: 387.

One arrest for assault.

Large fight on Mayflower Beach. Firearm was displayed and one victim was pistol-whipped.

Two disturbance calls for fights at the beach involving 10 to 20 individuals.

Three calls to disperse large groups of young adults drinking and using drugs at Mayflower Beach. One group was estimated to be 200-plus people.

Several vehicles were vandalized in beach parking lots.

Numerous street signs were damaged in the area of the beaches.

2022
Calls for Service at Dennis Beaches: 382.

Numerous calls for large groups fighting at Mayflower Beach. One male sustained serious head and eye trauma from being assaulted.

Calls for several hundred people causing a disturbance. Officers reported more than 200-300 people circled around several others performing “Oklahoma” football tackle drills.

Due to overwhelming crowds and drunken/disorderly behavior, beaches were ordered closed by the Police Chief and Select Board for safety reasons. Beaches were cleared.

As a result of beaches being closed and cleared, several other beaches in Dennis were overwhelmed by hundreds of displaced beachgoers.

Numerous calls for fights and vandalism came in at other beaches.

A large fire was set in the dunes of another beach.

Three individuals were placed into protective custody.

2023
Calls for Service at Dennis Beaches: 459.

13 arrests for various offenses including underage liquor possession, assault, assault with a dangerous weapon and leaving the scene of a personal injury crash.

Numerous calls for large groups fighting and drinking on the beach.

Calls for people urinating in the protected beach dunes.

Calls for several hundred people causing a disturbance. Officers report 500-plus people circled around several others performing “Oklahoma” football tackle drills.

Officers also confiscated boxing gloves and disrupted a live boxing match that was set to take place on the beach.

One officer was surrounded by a group of disorderly individuals and was assaulted.

One male victim was violently assaulted in the bathroom and sustained serious head and facial injuries.

A female was struck by a vehicle in the parking lot during a physical altercation with several people. The driver attempted to flee and several arrests were made.

Bathroom toilets were damaged and clogged with beer cans and bottles.

Beaches littered with several tons of trash.