As springtime temperatures get warmer and outdoor activity increases at Fairfield Beach, police officials say they are ready to strictly enforce laws designed to curb rowdy behavior by Fairfield students and others in the beach area.
“Events at the beach have become a cultural situation, something that is being handed down year to year,” Lt. Michael Walsh told The Mirror in an interview. “Whatever problem or problems that have existed at the beach area are still very much there.”
Since September, police have been exercising a “No-Tolerance” policy when it comes to behavior at the beach, Walsh said. Fairfield Police define this policy as follows: “When there is a nuisance or disturbance violation- to the degree that satisfies a legal threshold for arrest- an arrest will be made without exception.” Walsh added that this can and will be done without the offender first receiving a warning.
Due to this new policy, the lieutenant confirmed that there have been more arrests in 2001-2002 then in previous years.
Betz feels that overall this year has been a definite improvement when it comes to student behavior at the beach. “The students have been more mature and quiet than in years past. We haven’t been able to do everything we wanted to this year, but we have made strides. However at this moment we are at a crossroads.”
“My advice to the students is if you live at the beach do not invite large groups of people late at night,” he said. “And if you frequent the beach, do not do it late at night because large groups of people consuming large amounts of alcohol have the probability of getting into trouble. It can jeopardize your education, criminal record and future employment.”
Due to problems at student parties like Clam Jam and Luau, year-round beach residents were able to convince a Bridgeport Superior Court Judge to hand down a temporary injunction against all large gatherings at Lantern Point.
Student Beach Resident Association President Amanda Betz warns that this year’s Clam Jam may be very different from those of the past, “unfortunately we can’t have it like we used to. Of course, one major difference is that it won’t be on the point.”
This week FUSA and the SBRA will meet to begin the process of laying out definite plans for the event. Betz assures that they are trying to keep the tradition of having Clam Jam in the beach area despite the current situation. “We’ve been keeping an open relationship with the police, but we’re not involving them as much as we have in the past,” she said.
Improvements made by students in the past couple of years are certainly a step in the right direction. But, the more than thirty years of animosity between year-round residents at the beach and students will not soon disappear.
This week, Fairfield Police sent out a letter to everyone living in the beach area. The letter defines the problem area as “Reef Road, Fairfield Beach Road and all streets connecting,” and explains that police have responded to over 200 nuisance complaints in this area since September 1st, 2001. It goes on to say “Our goal is not to make arrests- it is to create favorable living conditions for the community… This notice should serve as a call for responsibility to residents and visitors of the beach area.”
According to Fairfield Police records, as of March 16th, there have been 113 arrests at the beach. These are all considered misdemeanors and all carried a mandatory court appearance. These arrests have been mostly “loud parties”, but have also included fights, pedestrian offenses, and one DUI. In addition there have also been 44 ‘infractions’. These are tickets for smaller offenses, which result in a mail-in fine of $88.
Only time will tell what is in store for the beach area. However, Lieutenant Walsh did finish the interview on a hopeful note: “I think it is getting better… And I think all groups can live at the beach in harmony as long as reasonable minds prevail.”
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