Planning For Sham Jam In Fairfield 'Was Effective': First Selectman

FAIRFIELD, CT — This weekend's "Sham Jam" event, the first large-scale college drinking party held in the Fairfield Beach Area since SantaCon, was largely kept under control, according to First Selectman Bill Gerber.

"We’re really pleased that the planning we did was effective, and that we avoided the environmental devastation of SantaCon," Gerber told Patch. "We ended the day with clean beaches. Students had a good time with limited health and safety issues."

December's SantaCon event was marred by mounds of litter, fights and an abundance of intoxicated revelers, which officials were eager to avoid with Sham Jam.

According to Fairfield Police Sgt. Michael Stahl, while "were no major issues related to" Sham Jam this year, he provided Patch with the following statistics:

Infractions: 8 (2 students, student status of 6 others unknown at this time)

• Creating a Public Disturbance (53a-181a): 5 (4 for Urinating in Public)
• Simple Trespass: 3

Misdemeanor Arrest (released on scene): 1 (non-student)

• Criminal Trespass 3rd (53a-109), Interfering w/ Officer (53a-167a)

Custodial Misdemeanor Arrest: 1 (non-student)

• Criminal Trespass 1st Degree (53a-107) and Beach of Peace 2nd Degree (53a-181)

EMS Transports: 2 (students)

The event at The Seagrape on Reef Road began at about 10 a.m. and ended at 4 p.m., but Stahl said "the majority of this event ended up taking place at student rental properties on Lantern Point."

Gerber said the town will continue efforts to ensure that future events in the beach area will not adversely impact residents and properties.

"This will be a process of continuous improvement, and we welcome feedback from the public," Gerber said. "I’d like to thank our community partners, including Fairfield University, the Lantern Point Association, student-led organization B.R.O., and neighborhood associations, along with Fairfield Parks & Rec, Police, Fire, EMS and DPW."