'Really, Really Afraid': Danvers Assault Victim Speaks Out On Weekend Attack

DANVERS, MA — The victim of a weekend assault in Danvers told the Select Board and the dozens of residents at Tuesday night's meeting that he cannot sleep and is "very, very afraid" after he said he was attacked by a group of juveniles this weekend.

"I am scared of these kids," the victim, who has special needs, said in an emotional statement. "Can you do more for me?"

Several residents spoke at Tuesday night's meeting about groups of juveniles riding on their bikes swearing at residents, throwing items, causing traffic disruptions and exhibiting threatening behavior over the past three years.

Police issued a statement to the community about the weekend attack near the middle school on Tuesday assuring that they are "actively investigating to ensure that all parties involved are held accountable" but were unable to share more information about those accused because they are juveniles.

"We recognize that as a community this can be frustrating," the police statement said. "But we assure you that it is no reflection on our department's and officers' dedication to thoroughly investigating this and every incident."

Residents and officials called on the police to do more on Tuesday night with the juveniles accused of the assault and assorted harassment called "a bunch of hoodlums," "terrorizing" and "out of control."

"These kids cannot be doing what they are doing to people," Select Board member Maureen Bernard said in response.

Select Board member Dutrochet Djoku said: "There is a difference between kids being kids and being criminals."

Danvers Select Board Chair Dan Bennett opened Tuesday night's Select Board meeting with a statement on the incident.

"I am troubled that a citizen needs to express their concerns about the safety of their children," Bennett said. "The action of a group of juveniles, as reported to me, is most concerning. Trust that this Board will take this infraction seriously and will express to our police department to take any and all necessary steps to curtail these outlandish incidents."

Bennett said a request will be made to Police Chief James Lovell to attend one of the next two meetings and update the investigation as well as provide a response plan to curb the unruly behavior.

"To suggest that the chief is not aware of or attentive to this is false," said outgoing Town Manager Steve Bartha. "I have been in contact with him since the incident occurred. He and his officers are investigating. They are talking to suspects. They are talking to witnesses. They are working hand-in-hand with the district attorney. If and when charges are warranted, they will be pressed.

"The chief is also not unaware of all of the issues that have been raised (with the juveniles' behavior). ... You can bet that the entire police department is acutely aware of what happened and is very concerned about what happened. And will do what they can within the law to keep people safe.

"They will not leave the law to keep people safe. And I want to be super clear about that."

Police on Tuesday encouraged anyone with information regarding this incident, or any others, to report it directly to the department at 978-774-1212.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)