Call Hearing On Youths Fighting At Norwood Arena-This Day In Norwood History-May 3, 1962

A series of fights opening night at the Norwood Arena Saturday resulted in one youth being taken to the Norwood Hospital for treatment of a fractured hose and another being arrested for drunkenness, it was brought out at the Selectmen’s meeting Tuesday night. A special hearing has been set for next Wednesday by the Board of Selectmen to examine the testimony of the involved parties.

The arrested youth, whose age was given as 17, stated that he had been served beer without being challenged. Later he was released from the Norwood police station in the custody of his sister.

Copies of the report submitted by Chief Mark Folan of the Police Department will be in the hands of the Town Fathers before the hearing Wednesday.

At one time, three different fights took place in different parts of the Arena, according to the report. One youth, whose are was given as 15, was nabbed with false Identification being used by him to purchase beer.

The report went on to say that large groups of people, numbering as many as 175 or 200, prevented the police from reaching the fights to break them up. This was particularly true in one battle which took place outside the Arena at the conclusion of the races.

“I can’t understand this situation,” said Selectman Harry B. Butters, “… men are hired to preserve order, and the report crucifies the Arena.”

The number of policemen on duty at the Arena Saturday was given as 12 by General Manager Walter A. Blasenak. Two were working on traffic details outside, while the others were on duty inside.

“It is expected of the Policemen that they will prevent as well as report disturbances and violations,” said Butters.

Butters observed that the large attendance of 5600 had not been expected based on records of previous years. He urged his colleagues to allow adequate time for preparation of defense by counsel for the Arena.

In establishing Wednesday as the date of the hearing, the Board voted the motion of Martin J. Lydon, which directed the officials at the Arena to meet with Chief Folan and take precautionary measures at the Arena to prevent further disturbances this week.

“According to the report, the incidents took on the proportions of a small riot,” said Butters, adding that he didn’t feel the fights to be more serious than those which normally take place at football games.

He identified the seriousness of the matter in a youth being intoxicated.

Manager Blasenak reported that he had received several calls Sunday regarding the incidents at the Arena relative to the action taken by police. Some callers refused to identify themselves, he said.

Attorney Samuel Cinnamon, who stated that he was interested in one of the youths, was very critical of the police, said Blasenak.

Cinnamon reportedly stated to the manager that he is prepared to produce witnesses who will testify that no attempt was made to break up fights.

In answer to the question of Selectman Thomas K. McManus, Manager Blasenak stated that to his knowledge, no criminal complaints have been issued by the courts.

McManus charged that if representing one of the youths, Cinnamon should have waited for a working day before calling the Manager, adding that he should have waited until Monday even if representing himself.

The hearing Wednesday is scheduled for 7:30.

(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)