Last month, Barrington Police received a tip that teenagers were partying at Mussachuck Beach.

Officers in a party patrol unit responded to the secluded stretch of coastline and located the group. There were beer cans scattered across the sand near the teenagers. Police said there was evidence that one of the teenagers was in possession of alcohol — officers charged that 16-year-old boy and called all the teenagers’ parents. 

But police did not administer a single breathalyzer test to the underage individuals, said Barrington Police Chief Michael Correia. 

“We did not infringe upon their rights,” Chief Correia said.

The chief said the department’s party patrol units have been busy this summer — patrols have charged 12 juveniles, two 18-year-olds and two 19-year-olds with alcohol-related offenses. But not once have the officers administered alcohol breathalyzer tests to the minors. During a traffic stop, police administered a breath test to a 19-year-old Swansea, Mass. man.

“We’re not over-stepping our authority. It’s not heavy-handed…We’re not trampling over juveniles’ rights,” Chief Correia said. “The goal… is to change risky behavior. Underage drinking is a risky behavior and can lead to some tragic outcomes.”

The chief said the goal of the party patrol units is three-pronged: enforcement, education and prevention. 

“We’re trying to prevent a tragedy,” Chief Correia said. “We don’t send these people (police officers) out with a mandate. There’s no quota. We’re trying to continue the work that started with (former Barrington Police Chief) John LaCross. 

“My sense is that underage drinking isn’t just a Barrington problem. It’s happening everywhere. I think the police department and BAY Team are to be commended because they’re doing something.”

The BAY Team is Barrington’s arm of the East Bay Prevention Coalition. Chief Correia said the local police department and the BAY Team have created a non-traditional partnership that aims to reduce substance abuse and prevent future tragedies. 

Barrington has experienced a number of alcohol-related tragedies in the past; some have included underage people. In fact, within the last 15 to 20 years Barrington witnessed a series of fatal accidents involving young people where alcohol played a factor.

Chief Correia said the party patrol was created in response to those tragedies. 

“That’s important to know,” the chief said, adding that some residents may not know about the town’s history. “This is a transient town.”

There is a financial component to the party patrols. Money from a legislative grant funds the patrols, which operate in addition to the normal patrols. 

“There’s a Senate grant that Sen. (Pam) Lauria has continued,” Chief Correia said, adding that it was first offered by Sen. Cynthia Coyne. “It’s a legislative grant that assists with education and enforcement of underage drinking.”

Chief Correia said the Barrington Police Department has always prioritized the effort to reduce underage drinking, although the patrols were limited when the department was struggling with staffing. Currently, the police department is at full strength, with 27 officers.

Earlier this summer, Chief Correia announced the department would be stepping up its efforts to combat underage drinking. 

“I intend to continue the good work that was started by Chief LaCross and continued by Chief (Dino) DeCrescenzo,” Chief Correia said at that time. He also praised BAY Team Director Denise Alves for the work she does. “Everybody has a responsibility in this. There’s a collective responsibility to reduce underage drinking and attempt to prevent the serious and tragic consequences that can result from underage drinking.”

Breathalyzer test administered

Chief Correia said the one occasion where police officers on a party patrol administered a breathalyzer test to someone under 21 years old was during a traffic stop involving a 19-year-old man from Swansea, Mass. Chief Correia said the breathalyzer test was part of the standard response for that type of incident.