Birthday bash guised teen drinking party, say police

Bruno Matarazzo Jr. BOXFORD, Mass. — Frank's 50th birthday bash is one many people won't soon forget.



Except there was no 50th birthday. Police said no one at the party was old enough to legally drink.



As for Frank, the subject of a handwritten "happy birthday" sign at the end of a driveway?



"There's no Frank," said Boxford police Lt. James Riter, whose department issued 67 court summonses after breaking up the bash. "They made it up so it wouldn't look like an underage drinking party."



Police responded to a report of a loud party at the home on a recent Sunday night.



Patrolman Robert Corliss saw the birthday sign and a number of youths milling around the street. The officer heard a commotion as he walked down the driveway.



Party attendees, police said, were scattering.



"Over fence, off into the woods, back into house, out of the gate, through the swamp, over the hills and everywhere you want to go," Riter said.



Instead of pursuing the partygoers, police waited.



"Over the next five hours, kids were coming out of the woods, two by two, five by five," Riter said. "We took their information and had them call a responsible adult."



Police issued party favors to 67 youths ranging in age from 16 to 20: court summonses for illegal possession of alcohol.



Bruno Matarazzo Jr. writes for The Salem, Mass., News.