Speaking about the dangers of underage drinking in Marblehead, Board of Health member Tom McMahon accused Police Chief Dennis King of failing to enforce state and local social hosting laws that punish people who provide alcohol to minors in their residences. Under the law, police can issue citations and fines, which are then reported to the Town Clerk’s Office.
“No fine has been issued related to these laws since 2017,” McMahon said, echoing a statement made by School Committee member Jenn Schaeffner last week. “So, we have the tools to address this issue, and we aren’t using them. You might ask, ‘Well, maybe the police aren’t catching these people.’ Buy a police scanner. They’re breaking up these parties all the time at the same houses. The officers are taking orders from the top.”
McMahon continued, taking aim at King: “This lack of action comes from the style of the police chief. That style is counterproductive and ignorant. It needs to stop. There is zero fear of consequence for these parents who are breaking the law and endangering the youth.”
McMahon said he is part of a leadership committee — with members of the School Committee, Recreation and Parks Commission and Select Board — discussing underage drinking in Marblehead. He is urging the Select Board, which oversees the police chief, to do more.
“If we don’t have law enforcement enforcing laws on the books, both Marblehead as well as the state, then we’re never going to improve this situation,” McMahon said. “We need the chief to revisit his position on handling this issue, which has proven to be a failure and only caused the problem to escalate. We also need the Select Board to make sure he does so.”
McMahon continued: “This shouldn’t be a debate. I shouldn’t have to do what a Select Board member suggested and sit down and have a conversation with the chief about enforcing these laws — that’s ridiculous. This is his job, and not doing that job or picking and choosing which laws to enforce is putting all our kids at risk.”
Select Board chair fires back
Late Tuesday, Select Board Chair Dan Fox responded to McMahon’s comments.
“Let me state this plainly and unequivocally: I have full confidence in Chief Dennis King… The statements made at the Board of Health meeting, including the allegation that ‘orders from the top’ prevent enforcement of social hosting laws and the characterization of the chief’s leadership as ‘counterproductive and ignorant,’ are inaccurate, unsupported and deeply unfair,” Fox wrote in a statement to the Current. “They also reflect a misunderstanding of how these laws are enforced. Social hosting investigations require meeting specific legal standards of evidence and due process. Enforcement is not as simple as issuing a citation on demand.”
Fox also critisized the way McMahon handled his comments about King.
“Just as concerning as the content of the accusation is the method used to deliver it. Making a serious allegation of misconduct against a department head, without first speaking to Chief King, town staff or any Select Board member, or seeking to verify the facts, is not an appropriate or responsible way to raise concerns. Publicly leveling unvetted accusations at a televised meeting does not foster cooperation; it undermines trust, damages working relationships and does a disservice to the public.”
Fox continued: “I share the community’s concern about underage drinking and social hosting. These issues deserve focused, coordinated and informed action. That is why I have been actively gathering information, speaking with town staff and reviewing the facts. That work is ongoing and will continue in a professional and respectful manner.”
McMahon said Monday night he may run for Select Board rather than a second term on the Board of Health.
“If major changes aren’t made with regards to underage social hosting, I don’t mind enforcing the laws to put it to an end,” he said. “I’d hate for it to have to come to putting papers in for the Select Board seat to make sure this problem is addressed and ensure that all boards are on the same page to achieve our goal of protecting the youth.”
McMahon said he has a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old.
“I have all the motivation in the world to make sure they aren’t subject to the next round of parents who want to host underage drinking parties because a precedent was set that they won’t get in trouble,” he said. “I won’t allow that to happen.”
The other two Board of Health members, Dr. Amanda Ritvo and Dr. Tom Massaro, said they thought a meeting with King would be beneficial. Massaro said he would reach out to the police chief.
The Current sent an email to King late Monday evening and will update the story with his response.
Vaccines and autism
Also at the Nov. 24 meeting, BoH member Dr. Amanda Ritvo spoke about the recent change to the CDC website that says the statement that vaccines do not cause autism is
“It’s really important to note that there’s been no new data or research that went into this change,” Ritvo said. “This is the viewpoint of one individual, Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr.”
Ritvo continued: “Millions of children have been studied across the world and the conclusion has been consistent every time that there is no increased risk of autism in vaccinated children… Sowing this doubt in the minds of parents is very dangerous, and we know from history that it can lead to tragic, preventable illness and death.”
Instead of the CDC, Ritvo urged parents to seek guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians.
New flu strain
Ritvo also spoke about a new flu strain that is not covered by this year’s flu vaccine.
“This K strain falls under the H3N2 subtypes, which generally cause more illness in older adults compared to the H1N1 subtypes. Importantly, subtype K is not more virulent than other H3N2 strains that have been circulating since the 1960s, so it’s unlikely to cause a pandemic,” she explained.
“The current mismatch is a concern because it can lead to more hospitalizations and more severe illness this season. That’s why it remains crucial that everyone gets vaccinated. Even in a mismatched year, the flu vaccine still significantly reduces hospitalizations and severe disease in both children and adults.”
Ritvo said flu rates right now are relatively low but are climbing.
Editor Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist.
