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.
⠀
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
-
Norwood Police Department On Memorial Day 1954-This Day in Norwood History-June 3, 1954
June 3, 1954-Norwood Police Department On Memorial Day 1954
-
In Memoriam-Louis F. Parker
LOUIS F. PARKER The townspeople were saddened on the afternoon of March 10, 1953 when they learned of the sudden death of Deputy Chief Louis F. Parker. He died in the performance of his duties. Louis F. Parker was born in Norwood October 16, 1895, appointed to the Fire Department May 16, 1926 and promoted…
-
Deputy Chief Louis F. Parker Dies Directing Men at Norwood Fire-March 10, 1953
Three Others Hurt as Blaze Damages Bird & Son Plant STRICKEN AT BLAZE—Deputy Chief Louis F. Parker. NORWOOD, March 10 — Deputy Fire Chief Louis F. Parker, 56, collapsed and died while directing operations during a general alarm fire about 3 this afternoon at the Bird & Son plant here. The veteran of 25 years…
-
Heavy Bail Set For Pair Captured By Police At Gunpoint In Roadside Stand-This Day in Norwood History-January 17, 1950
Two Newton men who were captured at gunpoint in Perrell’s Restaurant early Saturday morning by alert Norwood police, and a companion who drove away from the scene when the police approached and was arrested later at his home, were each held in $10,000 bail by Judge Gilbert W. Cox and their cases continued until Friday…
-
Police Save Dog From Drowning After Plunge Through Ice-This Day in Norwood History-January 6, 1949
Police, Firemen Join Forces To Rescue Struggling German Shepherd At Dunn’s Near exhaustion from struggling in three feet of icy water after he plunged through thin ice while crossing Dunn’s Pond off Nahatan street, a gray and brown German shepherd dog was rescued from drowning by police and firemen on Sunday morning as dozens of…
-
Police Chief Lydon Invents New Finger-Printing Machine-This Day in Norwood History-March 29, 1947
Gadget Will Be Submitted To The FBI For Inspection INVENTS FINGER-PRINTING MACHINE—Norwood Police Chief Thomas C. Lydon (right) holds finger-printing machine which he has invented and which will be turned over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for inspection. At the left is Joseph M. Lamb, electrical engineer, who assisted in the perfection of the…
-
Sgt Lydon Appointed Chief of Police Department-This Day in Norwood History-April 19, 1946
Sergeant Thomas Lydon has been appointed Chief Norwood Police Department to succeed Chief William H Sullivan, effective June 1, it was announced this morning by Manager Francis W. Smith. The appointment by the General Manager of the new chief received the unanimous approval of the Board of Selectmen last night. Sgt. Lydon, who will give…
-
Norwood Votes Two-Way Police Radio for Town-This Day In Norwood History-March 27, 1941
NORWOOD, March 27 — Norwood citizens, in an 80-minute town meeting tonight at the State Armory at which not one dissenting vote was cast, passed an annual budget of $1,546,747.19. Appropriations included funds for a two-way police radio. The meeting voted to raze the 50-year-old Beacon School and to accept a gift from W. Cameron…
-
Sergeant Curran Helps To Capture Slick Safecracker Hiding In Town-This Day in Norwood History-July 14, 1939
This Day in Norwood History-July 14, 1939-Sergeant Curran Helps To Capture Slick Safecracker Hiding In Town
-
Police Department Schedule Revamped-This Day In Norwood History-February 4, 1939
New Assignments Given To Officers A new schedule for the Norwood Police Department became effective yesterday with the posting of new assignments for members of the force. While new assignments have not been made for some time, in the Norwood department, many departments find it good policy to rearrange the schedule from time to time.…
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.