Buffalo, NY (WBEN) - After a rowdy start to the summer, Buffalo's Police Commissioner is pleading with residents to stop the chaos.
Police Commissioner Alphonso Wright, in a youtube video, promised enhanced enforcement action to deal with what he calls an uptick in "large, illegal disturbances," many involving minors.
"We've all seen the videos on social media," Wright said. "Large groups congregating in parks, parking lots, in the middle of city streets escalating fights and even engaging in dangerous illegal behavior. In some cases we've seen adults encouraging these behaviors."
Enforcement, according to the Commissioner, could include detainment and fines, with penalties including fines of up to $1,500 and 15 days in jail.
"These felonies apply to gatherings involving alcohol violations, open containers, narcotics, public urination, excessive noise, littering, and other unlawful activity," Wright said. "This isn't about punishment. It's about prevention."
The announcement follows many reports of unruly groups of teens, highlighted by fights at the city's Juneteenth Festival that resulted in Buffalo Councilwoman Zeneta Everhart calling for unaccompanied minors to be banned from major city events.
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