State Park Police are continuing to increase patrols at Robert Moses State Park on Sunday after an unauthorized “Senior Cut Day” gathering of about 100 teenagers led to a fight.
Video shows two teens fought in boxing gloves, as the large crowd of onlookers drew a heavy police response.
At least one injury was reported during the gathering, which involved students from several Long Island schools.
Local residents were surprised to see the event pop up at the usually peaceful park.
“I heard last year it was down at Jones Beach, but this year it kind of surprised me here because it’s more of a quiet, laid-back setting,” said Lake Ronkonkoma resident James Moore to News12.
Suffolk County and State Park police are boosting their visible presence on the sand and monitoring social media to step in before large, unpermitted gatherings form.
“Throughout the summer months, the department has deployed five dedicated teams to patrol downtown areas and business districts, addressing quality-of-life crimes and maintaining a visible enforcement presence,” said Suffolk County police in a statement to News12.
“Additionally, 20 seasonal officers have been assigned to the Marine Bureau to provide enhanced coverage of our beaches and waterways during the busy summer season,” they continued.
“Our intelligence detectives and crime analysts continuously monitor social media to identify events that may lead to large gatherings or potential public safety concerns.
“As always, the department remains prepared to adjust resources as needed to respond to incidents.”
