Sherborn - Sherborn Police Chief Richard Thompson said that his department was putting an end to late-night drinking at Farm Pond. He said that for years, young adults have been gathering there, and he said it was putting them in danger.
“The majority of the concern is from a safety perspective,” he said.
At the July 14 meeting of the Board of Selectmen, the board approved various changes to the pond, meant to limit the opportunity for late-night access.
The new rules, which have been in place since July 23, close the gates to the pond at 8:30 p.m. Before this change, people were swimming in the water, long after the lifeguards had left.
Thompson said that he was concerned that a person might try and swim in the pond at late hours, and the results could be fatal without a lifeguard or supervisor.
“We’re trying to avoid a catastrophe,” he said.
He said that the department has started a new zero-tolerance program, where violators will need to come to court, and potentially arrested for breaking in at the area. He said the department would have daily patrols to make sure nobody was in the area.
The concern over the late-night hangouts escalated when a couple of young men were caught breaking into the boat shed in the area, with the intention of canoeing to the middle island. There have also been various incidents of broken property, graffiti and bottles found in the beach area.
The people who enter the pond area are primarily high school- and college-aged adults, Thompson said.
Although he said that he couldn’t recall any fatal incidents at the pond, Thompson said he wanted to make sure it stayed that way.
“We are very concerned about their safety,” he said.
Evan Koslof
8/5/11
Originally Posted: http://www.wickedlocal.com/sherborn/features/x643162241/New-rules-put-damper-on-late-night-activities-at-Farm-Pond#axzz1UZrr96y0
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