Mayhem erupted at Hampton Beach Tuesday evening as temperatures climbed to 90 degrees, a storm rolled through southern New Hampshire and crowds mobbed the Seashell Stage.
Around 4 p.m., police said a large gathering began to form along Ocean Boulevard. The event had been advertised on social media and grew more unruly as police attempted to intervene. Multiple fights took place, followed by arrests.
Hampton Police Chief Alex Reno declared an unlawful assembly, which state troopers repeatedly communicated over loudspeakers to no avail, according to State Police.
“Numerous people disregarded and resisted efforts by law enforcement to encourage them to disperse, and more arrests were made,” State Police said in a press release.
Law enforcement had made 51 arrests by the end of the gathering, including charges of riot, second-degree assault, driving under the influence (DUI), unlawful possession of alcohol, minor transporting alcohol and disorderly conduct.
Members of the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office and the Epping, Kensington and Seabrook police departments assisted at the scene.
State Police thanked “community members and the majority of peaceful beachgoers” for their cooperation.
Police enforcement action isn’t uncommon at Hampton Beach. On May 5, the first 80-degree day of the year, police made seven arrests, including two for driving under the influence, as the Hampton Police Department learned of a “senior skip day” planned by high-schoolers from Methuen and Haverhill, Massachusetts. The arrests were originally reported in Seacoast Online.
