HYANNIS – After a rowdy crowd was broken up late Saturday night on Main Street Hyannis, Barnstable Police Lieutenant John Murphy said he’s wondering if the closing hour of local businesses were partly at fault.
“When intoxicated young adults are congregating in one area, it has the potential sadly for problems to erupt—we may request that 7-Eleven roll back its closing time from 1 a.m. to midnight,” Murphy said.
Just as bars were closing in the area of Main Street and Pearl Street in Hyannis, a large crowd formed around 1 a.m. in front of the 7-Eleven, and, according to police, were goading on a fight that had broken out inside the store.
Murphy, a liaison to the Barnstable Licensing Authority, said the closing times of local bars and restaurants may also have something to do with the behavior of the young adults. Three of whom were arrested that night on different charges.
Murphy also said he was concerned about establishments licensed as restaurants becoming more like nightclubs.
Two of those arrested allegedly refused to evacuate the premises when asked to by officers attempting to clear the scene.
Barnstable Licensing Authority Chairman Martin Hoxie said hour reductions may be ncessary.
“One of our large areas of authority is reducing hours,” Hoxie said. “We can reduce hours, after a public hearing, down to 11 p.m. if there are incidents inside or outside caused by the patrons of these establishments.”
Murphy said during Monday morning’s meeting of the Licensing Authority that he will investigate whether local establishments were violating their licenses and report back in July.
