March 2 Media Update 11:30 a.m. from Town of Amherst, UMass

AMHERST, Mass. – The Amherst Police Department, with its regional law enforcement partners, reports that the community is safe. Downtown businesses are open.

Police officers and apartment complex security are on duty in neighborhoods in North Amherst and East Amherst. Police are interacting proactively with students and town residents. The Town of Amherst, its police department and regional partners are committed to ensuring the safety of the community, safety of first responders and protection of private property. 

Amherst Police report there are no arrests or calls related to activities as of 11 a.m. Both vehicular and foot traffic around town is heavy, but flowing.

Forty-three student parties were registered through the Party Smart program, a joint initiative of the police department and the university. 

About 700 orderly but enthusiastic students were gathered this morning at 10 o’clock to enter the Mullins Center, which sold about 3,500 tickets. Doors opened shortly after 10 a.m. and the Mullins Live! concert got underway with a DJ, followed by the first artist, Gunna, taking the stage at 11:06 a.m. There was one minor medical call for UMass EMS at the Mullins Center for a patron who tripped and fell. No ambulance transport occurred.