Brentwood police warn New England Dragway events are straining town resources and public safety

Brentwood, N.H. — Brentwood Police told the Select Board on June 17 that recent events at New England Dragway have produced repeated traffic gridlock, numerous arrests and underage drinking incidents that are stretching the department's capacity.

The police chief urged the board and the public to take the problems seriously and seek a cooperative plan with the dragway. "We're going to address criminal behavior," the chief said, adding later, "I want a partnership with the Dragway. I am happy to help them assist with these issues in any way." The chief also said the Liquor Commission was contacted and assisted at events where juveniles were found drinking on the premises.

The nut graf: Brentwood Police described multiple weekend events that produced heavy traffic on North Road and Route 27, arrests for underage alcohol and DUIs, and calls that pulled duty officers away from other town coverage. The chief said those trends increase public-safety risk for residents along event routes and could expose the town to legal liability if patterns are not addressed.

Most important facts: The chief reported that a large weekend event drew an estimated 55,000 people on one day and that recent dragway nights produced multiple arrests: five arrests at a May event he described and six arrests during a June 13 event where officers also stopped numerous dangerous driving behaviors. He said officers handled juvenile-alcohol complaints and a kidnapping-like incident in which an intoxicated 16-year-old left with a driver who later was found to have a warrant. The chief said those responses removed patrol units from normal coverage.

Police described repeated problems with pre-event traffic planning. The Department of Transportation (DOT) held pre-event traffic meetings, but Brentwood officers said they were not invited to some sessions and were included only after later requests. The chief said that when Brentwood officers were not included they could not shape the traffic pattern, which contributed to backing on Erco Road, North Road and near Exit 8.

The chief said he had attempted operational compromises with the track's organizers (including offering more flexible billing and reduced invoicing for cancelled events) but that communication has been inconsistent. He described prior arrangements where the town staffed more officers for events but noted detail staffing had been reduced to four traffic officers in recent seasons because of expense negotiations.

On enforcement, the chief said the department has relied on existing grants at times and had to suspend a speed-enforcement grant so an officer could respond to the traffic emergency. He also said state liquor investigators were invited to assist because local resources were stretched.

Board response and procedure: Select Board members thanked the chief and said the item could go into nonpublic legal discussion; the chief was told he would be needed for that nonpublic session. A letter from a law firm relating to the dragway was acknowledged by the board and a select board member said it should be discussed publicly and in legal session as appropriate.

Background and context: The chief referred to Weldy v. Kingston, a New Hampshire court case discussed as precedent for town liability when officials knowingly allow an unsafe alcohol environment to persist. The chief warned that if underage drinking and its consequences are not addressed, the town and officers could face lawsuits after a serious crash.

What's next: The board signaled it may pursue further review in nonpublic with legal counsel and asked the chief to continue documenting incidents and coordinating with state agencies. The dragway was not present at the meeting to respond; board members said they would invite the dragway to future sessions and consider permit decisions based on updated public-safety information.