This is what the town can expect from the police department...”

Barrington Police Chief Michael Correia

The Barrington Police Department is stepping up its efforts to combat underage drinking in the community.

Barrington Police Chief Michael Correia said Barrington parents and their children should expect heightened attention to underage drinking by the town’s police department.

“I intend to continue the good work that was started by Chief (John) LaCross and continued by Chief (Dino) DeCrescenzo,” Chief Correia said, adding praise for BAY Team Director Denise Alves and 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.”

Some of the department’s work is focused on enforcement, the chief said. The department increased its party patrols recently and will continue that effort going forward, Chief Correia said. 

The increased patrols encountered a large underage drinking party at Mussachuck Beach late last month. Police estimated a group of about 20 teenagers at the gathering, and charged a 17-year-old Barrington male with underage possession or consumption-possession, underage possession or consumption-consumption, and possession of false identification. 

On Thursday, June 8, a police party patrol spotted an occupied vehicle parked on Annawamscutt Road at about 1:15 a.m. Officers approached the vehicle and spoke with the occupants — three 20-year-old Barrington residents. Police allegedly discovered marijuana and alcohol inside the vehicle and later cited one of the men with possession of marijuana under 1 ounce, and charged the other two with possession of alcohol by an underage person.

Less than 24 hours later, another party patrol spotted two teens walking away from a gathering at a Hampden Meadows home. Police said one of the teens had a water bottle that contained alcohol — officers charged the 16-year-old with underage possession or consumption-possession, and underage possession or consumption-consumption.

“This is what the town can expect from the police department and I would hope they would support the effort,” Chief Correia said. 

The chief also mentioned the police department close work with the BAY Team in efforts to prevent underage drinking. 

“We also want to thank Sen. Pam Lauria for her continuation of a grant to combat underage drinking,” Chief Correia said, adding that Sen. Cynthia Coyne started the grant which funds enforcement of party patrols and prevention efforts.

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. 

“Last year we did it, but we didn’t do it as well as we need to do, because of the strain on manpower,” Chief Correia said.