Cape Cod Town's Beaches Packed, But Without Chaos Amid Enhanced July 4 Regulations

DENNIS, MA — For the second consecutive year, enhanced police enforcement at Dennis beaches has resulted in no arrests, town officials said.

In a joint statement, Town Administrator Elizabeth Sullivan and Dennis Police Chief John Brady said the department only had 36 calls for service at town beaches on the Fourth of July last week.

"While the day was not without some challenges, the precautions the Town has implemented over the past two years have continued to make a big difference in our small community," said Brady.

The new regulations, which included the sale of daily parking passes at multiple town beaches, came in response to disruptive behavior that town officials had encountered in the years before 2024 over the July 4 weekend.

"Over the past few years we have seen a dramatic increase in unsafe and dangerous conduct," Police Chief John Brady said.

Cases of fighting, assaults, vandalism, binge drinking, drug use, loud music and "other concerning behavior," tainted the holiday before the adjustments.

• Read more: Enhanced Regulations Will Continue At Popular Cape Cod Beach In 2025

In addition to the parking pass changes, police also enforced a parking ban in the neighborhoods and businesses near the beaches. People in violation of the bans can be ticketed or towed, as was the case in 2024.

The town also installed a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol and drug consumption, plus "overly loud music and unsafe behavior," Brady said.

So far, the adjustments have been working.

Arrests at town beaches dropped from 13 in 2023 to zero in 2024 and 2025. Plus, officials said, it hasn't dissuaded people from hitting the beach.

"While our beaches were all full once again this year, the atmosphere and spirit at the beaches continues to improve compared to several years past," said Brady. "We’re getting back to the family-friendly and welcoming atmosphere Dennis beaches have long been known for."

In many ways, 2023 seemed to be the tipping point for local officials. That year, police responded to 459 calls for service at Mayflower, Chapin Memorial and Bayview Beach.

In 2024, the number of calls for service at the three beaches decreased by 75 percent year-over-year. In 2025, the number of calls for service at the town’s beaches dropped by an additional 69 percent, officials said.

While the daytime was relatively quiet, nighttime celebrations continue to present significant law enforcement challenges, officials said.

Dennis police reported an increase in fireworks complaints this year. On July 4, 2023, police investigated five fireworks complaints. That number dropped to 4 in 2024, but rose to 13 this year, officials said.