Amherst Police burning through resources

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - Amherst Police are burning through overtime in an effort to curb the student disturbances in town.  29 people were arrested over the weekend and Amherst Police say most of those arrested were students.  But that's not all, two officers were assaulted and police say they need more help.

Longtime Amherst resident Bob Abramms has been spearheading a movement of local help.  Abramms has been living in Amherst since the late 70s and says this year is by far one of the worst when it comes to noise disturbances. 

He lives on North Prospect Street and has proposed plans to cut down on the noise by trying to get landlords on board with his latest initiative.

 “A major problem in this town is the limited liability corporations that are buying up large single family houses. [They are] trying to turn them into two family houses and pack eight students in, and that's just trouble,” said Abramms on Amity Street Monday morning. 

Amherst Police told 22News two officers were assaulted over the weekend, one was hit with a bottle and the other was struck by a student.  Captain Chris Pronovost says the level of violence in problem areas, south of campus, like Phillips Street and Fearing Street, is disappointing. 

“Phillips Street is definitely usually on Friday, or Thursday or even Saturday nights, it's packed to the brim. I'm usually not involved in any of that, I'll stay where I am, too crazy down this street I can definitely see that down this street,” said Joe O’Neil who lives on Fearing Street.

Captain Pronovost says one officer was injured while trying to arrest a student three weeks ago and is still out of work.  The two officers assaulted this weekend were not hurt. 

In addition to hiring six more officers to help deal with the growing trend, many officers are working 12 hour shifts instead of their regular eight.