Selectmen Consider Town Square Curfew and Crackdown on South Norwood Bar Violations-September 15, 1976

Responding to a rising tide of citizen complaints regarding public drinking, loitering, and property vandalism, town selectmen announced plans last night to weigh a formal curfew for the town square ahead of an upcoming public hearing scheduled for 9:00 p.m. Tuesday in Memorial Hall.

Town Square Curfew Debate and South Norwood Police Enforcement

The proposed regulatory measures were discussed during a closed session between selectmen and Police Chief James F. Curran, alongside an invitation for local residents, bar owners, and package store operators to voice their perspectives at next week’s hearing.

Selectman Joseph W. Wall made a passionate push for establishing a strict curfew for the town square, pointing out that similar regulations had been implemented with great success on the Walpole town common. Selectmen noted that the local American Legion Post had also formally recommended a town square curfew to curb ongoing vandalism. However, Town Manager John P. Mogan and Police Chief Curran expressed hesitation regarding a square curfew as a primary remedy for loitering and littering.

The discussions directly addressed grievances raised by the ad hoc civic group Concerned Citizens of South Norwood. Chief Curran assured the board that local law enforcement is intensifying pressure on commercial drinking establishments: “We’re clamping tighter and tighter on the bars in South Norwood.” The chief detailed increased operational oversight, noting that police are strictly monitoring operating hours and beverage service, and have assigned a dedicated squad of four officers to South Norwood during the crucial hour leading up to early morning bar closings.

Visibly frustrated by public insinuations that his department was failing in its duties or “playing footsie” with local liquor licensees, Chief Curran declared, “I’ll give them 20 cops down there if they back me at town meeting.” Selectmen Chairman Joseph F. Curran acknowledged both the visible improvements made by the police force and the persistence of “continuing problems,” expressing sympathy for police officers navigating difficult community complaints.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger