Fewer Arrests At 2017 Xfinity Center Shows

MANSFIELD, MA — More cooperation between the town and the Xfinity Center have meant fewer arrests and better solution to problems, officials said last week.

Xfinity Center GM Jeff Mann, Mansfield Fire Chief Neal Boldrighini, and Mansfield Police Chief Ron Sellon met with the selectmen last week to discuss the 2017 summer concert season. Sellon said they fewer than 1,000 people were taken into custody during shows this year, much lower than the 1,600 in 2013.

Boldrighini said the decrease can be attributed to public safety officials and the venue working together. Mann, although noting that there were fewer shows this year, said there were some shows that he expected to be a challenge that were not.

The only major issue at the venue this year occurred at the start of the season when the side roads were flooded with Waze- and Google Maps-using concertgoers looking for a faster way to the venue. A new traffic plan was implemented early in the season.

“I knew things were moving in a better direction when we had the traffic issue. People weren't pointing fighters, we were working together to solve the problem. We all knew if we worked together we would find a way,” Selectmen Chairman Michael Trowbridge said.

The selectmen’s Xfinity Center license subcommitee is expected to start looking at the 2018 entertainment license early next year.

Image: File Photo