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By Max Sullivan| news@seacoastonline.com

After fights broke out at a gathering of teens at Hampton Beach organized on social media last week, state police announced Wednesday they will make additional resources available to the town.

The New Hampshire Department of Safety announced that they will assist with operations throughout the summer season as part of an all-encompassing strategy between local, county, and state law enforcement agencies.

The news comes after residents started a petition on change.org calling on Gov. Chris Sununu to send State Police officers to Hampton Beach this summer for crowd control.

It was created by Hampton residents Rebecca Burlem and Nichole Duggan in reaction to a public disturbance May 26, in which police said 500 teens gathered and fights broke out at the beach.

Previous story: Police disperse 500 teens after fights break out at Hampton Beach

The crowd was dispersed with only one arrest and no injuries or property damage, according to Hampton Police Chief David Hobbs, but videos on social media of the fights that occurred left the petitioners unnerved. They argued there is severe potential danger to our town, dwellings, livelihoods and homes if there should be continuous gatherings such as last night.

The situation that occurred last evening, May 26, 2021, was uncalled for and a major safety concern, the petitioners wrote. We need to show unruly visitors we are not going to stand for such events to occur.

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Videos showed pairs of fighters squaring off in a circle of chanting spectators in the sand and on the boardwalk. One video showed an individual slamming another onto the pavement near the Seashell Stage. Duggan said she was uncomfortable with the twerking and dancing also shown in the video which she said was inappropriate for a family beach.

Duggan has lived at Hampton full-time for two years and has been here on and off for about 10. She said the May 26 event and other recent beach activity has led her to avoid the main beach when it is busy.

We tend to do things Monday through Wednesday, Duggan said. I dont want to bring children up to the sand any day from Thursday through the weekend.

New Hampshire State Police Lt. John Hennessey said there will be between six to 10 state police officers each week this summer starting this coming weekend and lasting through Labor Day.

The New Hampshire Department of Safety announced Wednesday that state police along with local and county law enforcement will make additional patrols along Hampton Beach and surrounding roadways.

Troopers will continue to provide enhanced staffing to the town of Hampton and Hampton Beach throughout the summer, said Col. Nathan Noyes. The safety and security of our residents and those that vacation in New Hampshire is our top priority.

Wednesdays announcement, he said, builds upon the enhanced staffing that the New Hampshire Department of Safety and Division of State Police have provided to the town of Hampton and Hampton Beach during high-traffic days and special events for the past several years.

Hobbs said the event that occurred May 26 was similar to other public disruptions that have occurred in the spring at Hampton Beach when fewer officers are patrolling the beach and part-time officers have not begun their summer season. In May 2016, an incident occurred in which three officers were surrounded by a crowdof people as they attempted to make an arrest, one officer being struck in the head with a football.

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The incident on May 26 was a planned gathering of mostly high-school-age students that was promoted on social media, Hampton Deputy Police Chief Alex Reno said last week. He said alcohol consumption led to small disorderly groups forming in which fights occurred, many of which were captured on social media.

Footage of a similar event at White Horse Beach in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on May 23 has led to speculation on social media that the incidents were linked as organized fight clubs, though Hobbs said he could not confirm whether there was any connection.

A similar event is reported to have occurred at Narragansett Beach in Rhode Island. Beach gatherings have been sparked by social media posts elsewhere in the country this spring with 175 people reportedly being arrested on May 22 in Huntington Beach, California, for joining a kickback party organized on TikTok. A kickback party also occurred in Seattle where a beach was closed by officials as a result.

Hobbs said despite staffing challenges faced by his department and many other agencies in recent years, he expects his department will deliver the best level of service this summer.

Hampton also gets assistance from the Rockingham County Sheriffs Department and police in Epping and the University of New Hampshire to keep their beach sufficiently covered.

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Gov. Chris Sununu said in a prepared statement, Ensuring a safe and successful summer season for beachgoers and area businesses is a top priority for the state of New Hampshire.

My administration remains in close contact with town officials to address any additional needs as they arise, Sununu said. Hampton Beach is the jewel of New Hampshires Seacoast, and we remain confident that it will be a successful and safe summer season.

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After Hampton Beach brawls, State Police will step up patrols throughout the summer - Seacoastonline.com