On the evening of August 20, 1976, a massive disturbance at a house party on Natatan Street in Norwood required the coordinated response of local authorities and assistance from neighboring towns.
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Responding to initial calls reporting a large gathering of youths, Norwood Police Department Patrolmen Thomas Michienzi and Paul Bishop arrived at the scene at 11:30 p.m. to find approximately 250 youths milling both inside and outside a single-family home.
The situation quickly escalated as the unruly crowd, fueled by large quantities of liquor and beer, refused to disperse and began blocking traffic on Natatan Street. Recognizing the severity of the crisis, Police Chief James F. Curran took personal charge of the scene, deploying officers in a strategic effort to clear the area and firmly declaring that law enforcement would not put up with any more of this behavior. During the tense confrontations that followed, one 16-year-old Norwood resident was arrested and charged with assault and battery on a police officer, while four others were taken into protective custody.
In the aftermath of the late-night chaos, Chief Curran took proactive measures to bolster local response capabilities, conferring with Dedham Police Chief William C. Kardas to establish a mutual aid agreement allowing Norwood access to Dedham’s patrol wagon for future crowd control needs. Highlighting the dangers associated with underage drinking and unruly gatherings, the incident underscored the dedication of local law enforcement in preserving public order.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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“Rumble” Erupts Here; One Youth Cut On Face-This Day in Norwood History-January 23, 1964
A “rumble” that police said was started by an argument between a group of Stoughton youths and several youths from Norwood at a dance held in Stoughton last Friday erupted in a Washington Street retail establishment in which one youth suffered a cut face last Saturday afternoon. The manager of the establishment called Norwood police…
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Funeral Rites For Police Chief Mark Folan-This Day in Norwood History-January 17, 1963
FOLAN RITES—As over 100 uniformed officers stand at a farewell salute, the casket of Police Chief Mark Folan is carried from St. Catherine’s Church after Solemn Pontifical High Mass of Requiem on Monday morning. Six members of the department he headed for 12 years were the active pallbearers. Death came to Chief Folan early last…
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Norwood Officer Thwarts Bank Break Attempt Here-June 21, 1962
What police believe might have been an attempt to burglarize the Norwood Office of the Union Savings Bank at Guild Square was nipped in the bud last Wednesday night by an alert Norwood patrolman. It was shortly after 10:00 p.m. when Patrolman James Michienzie, tried a rear basement door and the door fell from its…
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FBI Training for Norwood Police Department-This Day in Norwood History-February 1, 1962
F.B.I. SCHOLARS — These members of the Norwood Police Department were among the local police who attended the two-day F.B.I. School for police held at the Walpole High School last week. First row (left to right) Patrolman Edward Murphy, Lt. James Murphy and Patrolman Joseph Flaherty. Second row: John Flaherty, William Travers, Robert Lawrie, and…
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New England Police Revolver League Medal Winners-This Day in Norwood History-August 8, 1957
MEDAL WINNERS — This group of Norwood police officers won first-place medals in their division at the shoot conducted by the New England Police Revolver League. Left to right— Patrolmen James Curran, William Costello, Joseph Flaherty, Nick DeStito, and Joseph Coyne. (McLean Photo) Discover more from Norwood Historical Society Subscribe to get the latest posts…
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Police Radar Set Makes Debut Here-August 1, 1957
Norwood Police tested speed radar equipment for the first time on this day in Norwood history, August 1, 1957.
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Oil-Painting Firefighter Eugene Charron To Present Portrait To Bishop Minihan-This Day in Norwood History-March 27, 1957
By EUGENE V. McLEAN A veteran member of the Norwood Fire Department, Eugene Charron, 56, with 23 years of service as a firefighter has an artistic hobby which he pursues in his spare time, that of oil painting. Genial “Gene” who lives at 234 Vernon street has just completed a beautiful 16 x 20 inch…
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Local Auxiliary Police Pistol Team Ends Brilliant Season-This Day in Norwood History-June 30, 1955
This Day in Norwood History-June 30, 1955-Local Auxiliary Police Pistol Team Ends Brilliant Season
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Ex-Police Chief Dies Driving Car in Norwood-May 14, 1955
Former Police Chief Thomas Lydon Dies Suddenly at 64 Norwood awoke today to the sad news of the sudden passing of Former Police Chief Thomas Lydon, one of the town’s most respected and longest‑serving law‑enforcement figures. Lydon, 64, died at the wheel of his automobile shortly after 1 a.m., apparently the victim of a heart…
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Banquet Honors Veteran Firemen On Retirement-This Day in Norwood History-June 3, 1954
June 3, 1954 At the Norwood fire station last Thursday night, two of Norwood’s firefighters, Bertram Sparrow and William Travers, who have retired, were given a testimonial banquet.
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