80 People Attended New Year's Eve Party, Fairfield Cops Estimate

FAIRFIELD, CT — About 80 people attended a New Year's Eve party to which law enforcement responded over the holiday weekend, according to a police estimate.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, no more than 10 people are allowed to gather socially at a residence in Connecticut, and face masks and social distancing are required at private parties.

Nevertheless, just minutes after midnight Friday, a caller reported the noisy gathering in the 1000 block of Fairfield Beach Road, according to Lt. Antonio Granata, who said that when officers approached the home, people fled and ran onto the beach.

The guests and host were college-aged, Granata said, noting those in attendance were found both inside and outside the residence.

The host was given an infraction for creating a public disturbance, according to Granata. Town officials discussed the event at a Board of Selectmen meeting Monday, when Chief of Police Christopher Lyddy said that while officers prefer to educate residents about pandemic best practices, police will enforce virus-related rules when appropriate.