Melee Ensues As Cops Move In To Disperse 300 Rowdy Kids In The Woods

HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON, NY — A rowdy gathering of teenagers turned violent over the weekend, and things escalated even further as police tried to break up the crowd.

"This past weekend, the Hastings-on-Hudson Police Department received calls reporting a large gathering of youths in Hillside Woods with several ongoing fights," Hastings-on-Hudson Police Chief David A. Dosin said. "Officers responded and encountered a large party with the youths, approximately 300 in attendance. These youths were from Hastings, the surrounding villages, and beyond."

Dosin said the crowd was dispersed with the assistance of the Dobbs Ferry Police Department and the Westchester County Police Department. However, once the crowd reached Lefurgy and Edgewood Avenues, they became unruly and disorderly, and fights broke out in the streets with some of the youths fighting with the police officers. One officer was injured in the fracas, according to the chief.

"Additionally, the youths refused to comply with the officer's requests for quietness," Dosin tole the community. "Several quality-of-life violations occurred at the time on Lefurgy Avenue, Edgewood Avenue and surrounding areas. Due to the severity of these events and the risk to safety, the Hastings-on-Hudson Police Department will be on patrol in Hillside Woods and enforce all applicable laws. The gathering of these events and the lack of respect for the law will not be tolerated."