When police respond to underage drinking parties or noisy social gatherings, are the people there wearing face coverings or masks?

That is the question Barrington Town Council member Jacob Brier asked Barrington Police Chief Dino DeCrescenzo during the July 27 council meeting.

While reading the chief's monthly police report in preparation for the council meeting, Mr. Brier noticed there was at least one incident involving a social gathering or underage drinking party. Mr. Brier asked if the police officers who responded to the incident encountered partygoers who were wearing masks or face coverings.

The chief said that when officers have responded to those incidents, the people (sometimes teenagers) very rarely have masks on.

Mr. Brier asked the chief if officers considered issuing violations to those individuals who were unmasked.

Chief DeCrescenzo said his officers are usually focused on other potential violations, such as breaking the Social Host law or possession and consumption of alcoholic beverage by an underage individuals. He said the department has not cited anyone for not wearing a mask.

Barrington Town Manager Jim Cunha said Barrington police did, however, cite four people who had used the town's tennis courts while the facility had been deemed off-limits by one of the manager's executive orders. The courts have since been reopened.