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Mahopac-Carmel Rivalry Erupts into Melee After High School Hoops Game
Carmel School District Superintendent Marilyn Terranova, Mahopac School District Superintendent Robert Reidy, Carmel Police Department Chief Michael Johnson, and Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith jointly report a disturbance that occurred at the Carmel High School campus on the evening of December 8, 2005.
Three people were arrested on the school grounds after a brawl broke out between spectators attending a basketball game played by rivals Mahopac High and Carmel High. Almost two dozen police officers from several agencies were needed to restore order after as many as 250 people, mostly students, fought in the parking lot of Carmel High School after the game.
As of the time the news release was issued, no official reports of injuries or property damage had been filed in the aftermath of the incident. Officials believe that many people may have suffered minor injuries in the fracas.
Authorities arrested a 16year-old male student after he shoved a police officer. Two 18-year-old men were arrested on weapons charges and other offenses after they were found with makeshift clubs and other contraband.
The trouble began at about 8 pm on Thursday evening, moments after the conclusion of the varsity boys basketball game between the two schools, which Mahopac won 67-60. According to the plan of school officials, the Carmel and Mahopac fans were seated in separate sections of the gymnasium bleachers and were ushered out of the gym via separate doors. But as the rival factions streamed out of the school building and outside onto the Fair Street campus, they came together in the school parking lot.
A number of people exchanged words and hurled taunts. The situation escalated quickly as some people in the crowded throng started pushing and shoving each other. Then punches started flying as small fights broke out in the crowd.
Three deputy sheriffs were posted at the school to provide regular security for the game and two officers from the Carmel Police Department were assisting with traffic control outside. The Carmel and Mahopac schools had a total of about thirty faculty and staff members in attendance to chaperone the game.
The original complement of deputies, officers, and school officials attempted to quell the disturbances that flared up in the crowded parking lot, but within seconds the number and size of the fights exploded, turning the scene into what one deputy described as a wild donnybrook with people shoving, punching, and kicking. Some in the crowd threw projectiles, including plastic water bottles, at other people.
The estimated 250 combatants were among some 1,500 people who attended the basketball game. Officials report that both males and females were involved in the fighting.
The law enforcement officials on the scene called for assistance in restoring order. About 18 officers responded to that call, including sheriff’s deputies and investigators, state troopers, and police officers and detectives from Carmel, Kent, and the New York City DEP. It took officers and school officials about a half-hour to completely restore calm and clear the campus of people.
Authorities suspect that a later altercation at a nearby restaurant may also have involved some of the persons who participated in the disorder at the school. The youths knocked over tables, threw foodstuff and tableware, and harassed the restaurant staff. Police were summoned but the youths fled from the restaurant before officers arrived.
Authorities say that there have been skirmishes at sporting contests between the rival schools in the past, but nothing on the scale of last evening’s incident. Deputy Sheriff John Matrician, who is the School Resource officer assigned to Carmel High School and one of the officers who helped restore order in yesterday’s disturbance said, “I have been at hundreds of high school games over the past several years and have never seen anything like this.”
Sheriff Smith said that “… from what I have heard, the Mahopac and Carmel players played a clean and competitive game on the court last night and shook hands afterwards. Those are both examples of the kind of play and post-game conduct that signify real sportsmanship.” He pointed out that there were no Mahopac or Carmel basketball players involved in last evening’s postgame fight, but that the combatants were mainly students and supporters of the rival schools. “Anyone who engaged in violent behavior after last night’s game, and did so in the name of being a ‘fan’ or ‘supporter’ of his or her team or school, really has a misbegotten notion of reality such a person has no clue about what real team spirit, good sportsmanship, and noble competition is all about,” he said.
The investigation of the incident is continuing and further arrests are possible. School officials say that any students who are identified as participants in the disturbance will face administrative action, to include possible suspensions or expulsions from school.
Dr. Reidy said that he and the Mahopac School District administration and faculty were working closely with law enforcement to address last evening’s occurrence and to prevent any future problems. “The kind of behavior exhibited by the people involved in this disturbance is utterly unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” he said.
Dr. Terranova expressed gratitude to the Carmel Police Department and Sheriff’s Department for their collaboration in helping the school districts keep the students safe. She said that she and other Carmel School District officials were contemplating closing future sporting events between Mahopac and Carmel to student spectators. “If the kids want to attend games, they have to act maturely and conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.”
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