Fights Break Out at Hampton Beach During Record Heat

Hampton Beach in New Hampshire saw chaos on Tuesday as record high temperatures drew huge crowds from Massachusetts and beyond. With temperatures hitting 94 degrees, about 75,000 people packed the sand and boardwalk. When a sudden heavy rainstorm rolled in during the late afternoon, things turned ugly fast.

Large groups of people rushed under awnings and shelters along Ocean Boulevard. That crowding sparked dozens of fights all at once. Police say the situation got out of control quickly. Officers declared an unlawful assembly and moved in wearing full riot gear with help from state police. They cleared the boardwalk and streets to restore order.

Reno (Police Chief) said that around 4 p.m., rain began to fall and hundreds of people sought shelter in the nearby Casino Ballroom overhang. A short time later, several fights began to break out throughout the area. That is when Reno declared an unlawful assembly. Police said they were able to restore order about an hour later. -cbsnews.com

In total, police responded to 127 calls for service that day. They made around 50 arrests, including charges for rioting, alcohol violations, and other offenses. A few people suffered minor injuries, but no serious harm or weapons were reported.

Many of the people at the beach were day-trippers from Massachusetts, especially younger crowds taking advantage of warm weather and end-of-school breaks. Videos of the fights and police response spread quickly on social media.

Hampton police say they plan to add extra officers and patrols for the busy Memorial Day weekend ahead. Officials are reminding everyone that large crowds, heat, and alcohol can lead to problems. They ask visitors to stay safe, drink responsibly, and follow directions from police.

This early-season trouble at Hampton Beach is not new, but the size of the crowds and the heat made it worse than usual. Massachusetts residents who head to the New Hampshire seacoast every summer are talking about the story and sharing their own experiences.