Fos and Anderson Streets Where This Incident Happened.

On Wednesday, July 5th, at around 10:35 pm., police were called to the area of Fox Street and Anderson Street for reports of a large group setting off fireworks and targeting passing motor vehicles with roman candles and other mortar type projectiles.

As patrol officers arrived on scene they had fireworks discharged at them.  Additional units that were leaving the Eastern Promenade fireworks display were sent to the area to assist in clearing the large crowd that had congregated on the basketball courts, athletic field and roads

Over the course of more than an hour, officers continued to have projectiles fired at them as they gave dispersal orders to the crowd and attempted to move them from the area.  Officers were forced to deploy pepper balls to prevent them from being attacked.  No individuals were targeted.  the pepper balls were deployed and struck the ground or walls allowing the irritant to spread into the air.

Most of the crowd dispersed as officers began to advance on the crowd and make arrests.  Peace was restored just before midnight.

Police made eight arrests;  three adults and five juveniles.  Two of the adults were from Westbrook and one from Portland.  This blogger does not believe this incident occurred inside Kennedy Park property, although it occurred near  that property.