Cops: Fairfield University's 'Clam Jam' Under Control

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield University’s annual “Clam Jam” passed by Saturday without much trouble, according to the Fairfield Police. Officials said the student party on Fairfield Beach was quiet this year due to an increased police presence.

“It was a very controlled atmosphere,” said Capt. Joshua Zabin, head of the Fairfield Police Patrol Division. “Most of the festivities were contained within the property of Lantern Point.”

Police Chief Gary MacNamara said the annual year-end party for Fairfield seniors had grown in recent years, possibly to include large numbers of Sacred Heart students as well. Fairfield Police expected as many as 2,000 people to crowd the party’s location on Fairfield Beach Road.

Fairfield Police took a few measures to keep the party under control. They set up a tow-away zone for a four-block stretch around the location and had two DUI checkpoints throughout the day to prevent drunk driving to and from the party. Bridgeport Police also lent Fairfield its Mounted Unit to work crowd control. The party’s hosts also hired seven Fairfield officers to work security for the event.

“The steps put in place allowed us to manage an environment that had the potential to become very unsafe,” MacNamara said.

One person was arrested at the event Saturday, according to police reports. Justin Levy, 23, of Plainville, Conn., was charged with breach of the peace and third-degree assault, both misdemeanors. Levy was at Lantern Point Saturday when the party’s host asked him to leave, police said, adding that Levy punched the man in the forehead, causing a laceration on his head.

The victim declined medical attention at the scene, said police. Levy was taken to police custody, and released later that day on a $50 bond. He is due in court on May 7.

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