BARNSTABLE SEEMINGLY BACKS DOWN TO RECENT BEACH BRAWLERS, CLOSES...

HYANNIS/BARNSTABLE – In a controversial reaction to a recent beach brawl, Barnstable Town Manager Mark Ells and Police Chief Matthew Sonnabend announced yesterday – Thursday, June 9, 2022 – “that due to a series of recent public safety concerns, Hathaway’s Pond will be closed from 5 PM Friday, June 10th until 7:30 AM Monday, June 13th and from 5PM Friday, June 17th until 7:30 AM Tuesday, June 21st.”

HN sources believe the aforementioned “safety concerns” are due to recent beach violence. This past Sunday evening – June 5, 2022 – Barnstable Police and Massachusetts State Troopers responded to Hathaway’s Pond at around 8:45 p.m. for multiple reports of a large fight involving about 20 people. As you will see and hear in the following HN Videos, vehicles were reportedly leaving the area when the first police cruisers were arriving on scene. At least two people suffered head lacerations. At least one person had a bottle smashed on their head, according to police sources on scene (and also according to new video evidence, see below). Injuries were not life threatening but one person ended up being transported to Cape Cod Hospital.

Most of the people fighting had left the area prior to police arriving on scene. Only the wounded and uninvolved witnesses remained…

At the time of this report, the Barnstable Police have not officially released whether any arrests have been made related to the incident… but a police source informed that at least one arrest has been made. HN is working on releasing the names and charges of anyone allegedly involved in this past Sunday’s violence. Stay tuned…

The following fight video clearly shows some of the people involved, along with some of the possible safety issues going forward… but some readers and viewers reacted to yesterday’s beach closure with concern the announcement “punishes all” based on the actions of “some.” Some expressed on Facebook that the town needs to do its job by ensuring that innocent law-abiding beach patrons are not punished for the idiotic actions of violent drunks. That laws against public drinking and violent behavior need to be enforced instead of shutting things down for the majority of people who clearly obey those laws…

… or in other words, “when the law breakers get tough, the town and its police need to be tougher” in order to keep everyone safe, in a fair manner.

Meanwhile others on Facebook expressed their belief our Town Manager and Police Chief are, in fact, doing a perfectly fine job with the cards they’ve been dealt… and that the recent sweeping order was a wise decision.

The following are some of the unedited Facebook comments in opposition or in support of the town’s recent order:

“Punish all for the actions of a few, got it.”~ D.M.

“I understand both sides and reasoning behind this decision. Sad when people can’t behave themselves and others have to suffer for it” ~ T.M.

“So once again, others pay the price for the actions of a few. And you wonder why people are so divided, angry, and bitter lately. We’re going to Hell in a handbasket folks and if we don’t start holding those who break our laws accountable, there will be no coming back from total destruction. It’s a sad situation all the way around” ~ A.F.

“Ok so the people that do the right thing suffer that’s not the right way to handle the issues. So us the taxpayer can’t use a area that we pay taxes for . How about adding extra police patrols.” ~ D.T.

“Town of Barnstable couldn’t there be a solution that would work for families and protect the area? Maybe a patrol car from 5-8 and close the area at 8? That way those of us who have enjoyed hiking, fishing, or swimming with our kids could still enjoy the space safely before the degenerates would…all provided by those who are sworn to protect and serve our community? 2 weekends at the beginning of the summer, starting at 5pm, prohibits families from enjoying a space within our community, and doesn’t prevent more fights, etc as the summer progresses.” ~ M.W.R.

“Glad we didn’t have any cookouts planned for birthdays” ~ K.B.

“That’s sad. Some parents work days and can only take their kids down for a quick swim after 5. To bad they couldn’t make it 8pm and maybe send a patrol down there a couple of times between 5-8 to check on things. Just an idea. Sad that a few have to ruin things for the masses.” ~ C.D.

“so lame! you couldnt just put an empty cruiser in the lot? i guarantee that would deter alot of shit…” ~ T.S.M.

“…they just gonna keep moving until they close everything else on Cape because of them !! Punish them !! You can tell on the previous video who they are !! Why no arrest has been made” ~ N.L.F.

“That’s a level of stupid I didn’t think the town was capable of. Sonnabend and Ells should resign if this is their best idea.” ~ K.C.

“Once again…punish all to address the “issue”. Why not punish the perpetrators to solve the problem? Simple.” ~ L.G.G.

“Well, I was there earlier the day of the fight and there was tons of people there with open containers and they were blasting music you could hear loud and clear all the way on the other side of the pond. Maybe the police could cruise through once in awhile, if they’re not too busy.” ~ D.P.

“Lol what a dumb solution” ~ D.F.

“My husband and daughter have been fishing there for years. My husband was there the other day and some woman was take a sh*t right next to the the path as he was walking back to the parking lot. He kept his head down and booked it. Some older woman she was with was staring him down as he was putting his fishing poles in the car. Mind you, they were 10 feet from two porta potties.” ~ CL.T.

“Really bothersome that the actions of some ruin for all – a bunch of us love hiking there with our dogs” ~ C.T.

“whats next, there has to be a better way other than shut it down. Wth” ~ P.A.

“So it will just move to another pond or lake? Awesome.” ~ S.T.

“I total agree with the town people been so abusivo , is very sad there having a lot of fights , last fight was sunday one guy opened another’s head with a bottle of beer , but thanks fir take care of the public” ~ C.M.

“Thank you BPD and Mr Ells for taking steps to keep us all safe. I’m certain this is temporary and we will all get to enjoy the beauty of this area in due time. Until then, there are 70 square miles of amazingness to enjoy in Barnstable.” ~ S.E.

“Wow so everyone else gets punished for these assholes, not being able to control themselves unbelievable” ~ M.M.

“The town better start issuing abatement of taxes for residents for not being able to utilize public services” ~ K.M.

“Thank you to all the hard working Town workers that are cleaning this up!! We all appreciate you!!!” ~ A.L.D.

“Apareçam aqui agora seus manés arruaceiros” ~ E.T.

“…but you know kids will just find another spot to party up right? Lol” ~ D.

“So glad they are being proactive….I never felt safe having my niece’s go there alone when they were younger….too bad the few spoil for the many….but there are lots of other places to go….Thanks to the Town mangers and BPD” ~ D.W.

“Town of Barnstable. Wrong decision. Staff it up, more police. Shutting it down for the few at the expense of the majority plays into the idiots hands. You will not stop trouble by shutting it down. They will just move to the next space.” ~ K.P.

………………….

HN SIDE NOTE: Barnstable Town Manager Mark Ells and Police Chief Matthew Sonnabend are both paid by the taxpayers to oversee the safe operation of all town public spaces, including public beaches, for the benefit and enjoyment of everyone. According to town records, in 2021, Mark Ells received a total of $193,450.47 in wages… and in the same year, Matthew Sonnabend received a total of $184,855.26. (Both are non-elected positions.) As you can see by some of the above comments, some question whether or not they are doing their job… while others seem perfectly happy with the current arrangement.

Also note, HN has become aware of possible ongoing short staffing issues within the Barnstable Police Department. Are we, in fact, short staffed? And if so, who, if anyone, is responsible for the current staffing situation? Can it be fixed? And most importantly, will the department be able to keep residents and visitors safe this summer? Or will the town need to close down more public spaces? HN will try to find out the answers to those questions… but in the meantime the pressure is definitely on our town officials… and some would argue that is “why they get paid the big bucks.”

The following HN reader video shows last Sunday’s beach brawl… because it is adult rated, the following “Watch on YouTube“ link will direct you to sign into your YouTube account, which will also give you the opportunity to SUBSCRIBE to HyannisNews.com on YouTube… and you can also select to be notified whenever HN releases a breaking news video, giving you the chance to view it way before everyone else! Subscribing is also a FREE way to support HN. Thank you!

*** ACTUAL SUNDAY FIGHT VIDEO – CLICK HERE & Watch on YouTube ***

The following HN Video highlights police response to the scene and includes actual emergency radio transmissions…

[HN VIDEO – PRESS PLAY]