'Not Fraternity Row': 1,000+ Partiers Crowd Beach Area, Cops Say

FAIRFIELD, CT — A massive crowd of partiers brought Fairfield police to the beach area over Labor Day weekend and led at least one neighborhood resident to speak out in frustration about the disturbance.

The situation came to a head late Monday night, according to police, who reported that 1,000 to 2,000 college-aged people were gathering about 10:30 p.m. at Lantern Point, an off-campus living community for Fairfield University students. Earlier that evening, multiple ambulance calls for intoxication were made in the area, police said.

Officers were eventually able to clear the crowds, according to police, who said noise complaints in the neighborhood were no higher than usual and no citations were issued, although seven vehicles were towed for parking violations.

" ... it was a strategic decision specific to this event to focus on safe dispersal rather than attempting to issue citations, but that decision is not an indicator that there will not be enforcement action for similar situations in the future," Lt. Eddie Weihe said in an email to Fairfield Patch.

Fairfield Beach Road resident Ben Rosenbloom shared his concerns about the crowding in an email sent Tuesday morning to Fairfield University Vice President for Student Life Karen Donoghue.

“If last night’s behavior of the Fairfield University students here at the beach is any indication, we’re in for a long and unpleasant school year,” Rosenbloom said in the email, which he also sent to Patch.

“Hordes of drunken students roamed up and down the street with open containers of alcohol starting at 11 a.m. and continuing into the night, walking in the middle of the street and creating much disturbance with constant loud noise and yelling. This morning, the corner of Fairfield Beach Road and Reef Road is littered with broken glass, red cups, and beer cans.”

Rosenbloom noted the intrusive noise occurred on the first night of Rosh Hashanah, which he and his family observe.

“Whatever you are doing or telling your students is woefully inadequate,” he said in the email. “This is a densely populated residential neighborhood, not fraternity row. We implore you to come up with additional measures that are going to make a difference.”

Jennifer Anderson, vice president of marketing and communication for the school, said in a statement to Patch that Fairfield University works closely with the town, police and fire departments, the Fairfield Beach Association and the Lantern Point Association to maintain the safety of students and neighboring residents.

“The Lantern Point Association has full responsibility for the management of that property,” Anderson said in the statement. “Any student in violation of a town ordinance or issued an infraction is held accountable by the Dean of Students office."