Crime & Safety

3 Danvers Residents Arrested for Swimming in Gloucester Reservoir

It's illegal to swim in a public drinking water supply, and can land you in "hot water" with police, as these three Danvers residents found out.

Three Danvers residents were among 12 people arrested by Gloucester police last week for taking a dip in one of the city's water reservoirs.

The Gloucester Times reports that Gregory Tremblay, Nicholas Velonis and Andrew Vitolo, all 21, were arrested and charged with trespassing and violation of a bylaw that prohibits swimming in a public water supply. The paper reports it's not only a local offense, but breaking a state law as well.

There were separate incidents July 18 at two different reservoirs, both of which are part of the city's public water supply. The Gloucester Times reports police towed eight cars as well and nine Reading residents were also arrested.

Gloucester Police Chief Leonard Campanello told the paper there were numerous complaints from residents in the area as well as "major concerns" from city engineers about people swimming in a drinking water supply. He said police gave warnings and requests to comply over several months, but those went unheeded.

You can read more on this story in the Gloucester Times here.


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