On the evening of February 5, 2016,
deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police,
Sheriff’s Office Alcohol Enforcement Coordinator, Lexington Park COPs Unit,
Leonardtown COPs, and the K9 Division responded to several locations throughout
the evening regarding large, disorderly crowds. Several violations of drinking alcohol
in public and smoking suspected marijuana were
observed. As a result, several civil citations were issued and multiple arrests were made for disorderly conduct.
This is the latest in reports of large, unruly groups forming, typically generated
after local bars close on the weekend. Business owners have stated that crowds
become unmanageable for them and it’s
common for fights to break out. There are also reports of merchandise being stolen.
These crowds travel in packs of
vehicles from business to business and are often observed driving recklessly
and speeding.
These actions create a public
disturbance and a safety issue for customers and employees. The Sheriff’s
Office continues to work will local businesses to alleviate the problem. Law
Enforcement continues to TAKE ACTION
against those who fail to obey the criminal and traffic laws, and the community
can expect an increased police presence during these times.
Anyone with questions is asked to
contact Sergeant Clay Safford, Lexington Park COPs Unit, at 301-481-9557 or
Clay.Safford@stmarysmd.com.
