AMHERST – More than a dozen college-age people were arrested or summoned to court on various alcohol-related charges during the first April weekend, according to police.
“There was extra enforcement out there this weekend,” said Detective Michael Forcum.
Beween 8:06 p.m. Friday and 12:23 a.m. Sunday, on North Pleasant Street, Phillips Street, Fearing Street and Meadow Street, police arrested or summoned to court nine people for being minors in possession of alcohol and possession open containers, three people for being minors in possession of alcohol and two people for violating the town’s open container bylaw, Forcum said.
At 1:43 a.m. Sunday, a man urinating against a decorative gate at a Fearing Street home was arrested.
Benjamin D. DeRoche, 19, of Hampden, was taken into custody on a charge of disorderly conduct, Forcum said.
Police responded to several parties, but got cooperation from the residents hosting the parties. Police cleared out 50 guests at 11:25 p.m. Friday at 204 College St., 75 people were dispersed at 11:35 p.m. Friday from 51 North East St., 75 people were sent on their way at 12:33 a.m. Saturday at 694 Main St. and 50 guests were moved along at 12:20 a.m. Sunday from The Boulders, 188 East Hadley Road.
Police also issued warnings, for holding loud parties, to 1185 North Pleasant St. residents at 1:22 a.m. Saturday and residents at The Griggs apartments, 124 Amity St. at 2:48 a.m. Saturday.
Two men involved in a shoving match while trying to get into a party at 41 Phillips St. at 12:44 a.m. Saturday were calmed down and sent on their way.
At 1:19 a.m. Saturday, police responded to a yard at 816 North Pleasant St., where loud people told police they were celebrating the Boston Celtics defeating the Golden State Warriors.
Police found several people involved in a scuffle on the hill at the intersection of Eastman Lane and East Pleasant Street at 1:57 a.m. Saturday. The people were advised they could go to court to press charges.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
