A new summer fad is worrying police – youngsters using online chat rooms to organize massive dangerous beach parties.
Cops say the gatherings are set up through social-media channels and can involve thousands of unruly celebrants.
Recent incidents have occurred in places such as Hampton Beach, just over Maine’s border with New Hampshire.
An estimated 50 people were arrested amid fights and chaos May 19 at Hampton, the same day three people were stabbed at Narragansett Beach in Rhode Island.
The incidents were advertised as beach takeovers on social media.
And if it’s happening as close to Maine as Hampton, summer party town Old Orchard Beach can’t be far behind.
“Officials say the unsanctioned gatherings organized through social media can draw thousands of teens and young adults to beaches with little warning, sometimes leading to fights, alcohol violations, traffic problems and dozens of arrests,” according to NBC Boston’s Malcolm Johnson.
“These crowds just pop up out of virtually nowhere,” Sgt. Ryan Carr of the Dennis, Massachusetts Police Department said. “Snapchat message, Instagram – now we are seeing a group or a person on a computer acting as a central point to disperse the word of these massive parties.”
New England’s coastal police agencies say they are increasing staffing, monitoring social-media activity and coordinating with regional law-enforcement partners to prevent further incidents this summer.
What is the primary demographic of these “youths”?
I think I have a suspicion…
Come on Maine Wire, you guys are better than this. Don’t be like the other papers who refuse to report basic facts that could people safe because they’re inconvenient.
Kids are going to party. I went to Lawrence and the whole high school would party on the bog rd Albion gravel pit. Erskine kids partied in the rt 3 gravel pits. Now the homeless encampments have taken all the hidden spots from the teenagers. Where are they supposed to go be kids?
This is nothing new. Social media brings more of a crowd, i get it. I don’t think it’s a crisis though.
“Youths” “Changing Consumer habits” “local man” “online chat rooms” ok dude we all know who does this shit, let’s have an end to the fake morality