Mansfield Police Chief: Comcast Center Problems Part Of 'Alcohol-Soaked Society'
MANSFIELD (AP) — Mansfield's police chief says problems at the Comcast Center music venue where alcohol and drug abuse have led to hundreds of arrests and two overdose deaths at recent concerts are less to do with poor security, and more to do with a cultural acceptance of substance abuse.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports
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Chief Arthur O'Neill told selectmen at a meeting Wednesday night that his department and center private security work together like a "well-oiled machine," but the problem is an "alcohol-soaked society."
Fire Chief Neal Boldrighini said poor behavior at the Comcast Center is not unique to the venue.
Several solutions were proposed, including drug-sniffing dogs, random searches and better selection of shows, but they were dismissed over constitutional issues and impracticality.
Alcohol is prohibited in the venue's parking lots according to the center's entertainment license.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
