Social Media Party Leads to 10 Arrests at Hampton Beach, NH

Hampton Police and other law enforcement made nearly a dozen arrests Saturday as large crowds gathered on Hampton Beach and stopped traffic on Ocean Boulevard.

The group started gathering late in the afternoon for what police called a "well-advertised event planned on social media," despite clouds and cooler temperatures than just a few miles inland, according to police.

Police dispersed the group, which moved onto Ocean Boulevard and stopped traffic for approximately an hour. Ten arrests were made on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest as police continued to move the group. Additional charges of riot are expected to be added.

Video and pictures from the beach showed a large police presence with a SWAT team in riot gear walking along Ocean Boulevard.

Hampton Police Prepared for Social Media Parties

Hampton Police Deputy Chief Alex Reno told Seacoast Current on Friday that the department was aware of parties being planned via social media for the weekend, and warned of an increased police presence.

"We are drastically increasing the amount of police personnel at the beach. We want people to come to the beach and enjoy themselves, but anybody who seeks to come here to break our laws or create violence will be arrested and prosecuted," Reno said.

The department's goal is always to provide a safe environment for anyone who wishes to come to Hampton, Reno said.

One More Day of Heat

Temperatures in Hampton and right along the coast were only in the low 70s on Saturday with fog and low clouds. But not too far away, temperatures were in the 80s with high humidity.

A Heat Advisory was issued by the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine, for southern New Hampshire away from the coast until 8 p.m. Sunday. Temperatures are expected to be in the low 90s which, combined with high humidity, will create a heat index of 95 on Sunday.

Strong thunderstorms could develop late Sunday afternoon with large hail, damaging winds, and torrential downpours as a cold front drops across northern New England, putting an end to the weekend heat.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH