Police use smoke bombs, pepper spray to disperse crowd of 3,000 at Kent State

Police use smoke bombs, pepper spray to disperse crowd of 3,000 at Kent State

Associated Press

KENT

Police officers from several northeast Ohio departments dispersed a crowd of more than 3,000 at an annual college block party following reports of fights and injuries.

The Kent Police Department says bricks and bottles were thrown at officers and others at the gathering Saturday night near Kent State University.

The Ravenna Record-Courier reports police had to use smoke bombs, flash- bang grenades and pepper gas to move the crowds.

Kent Police Chief Michelle Lee told the paper that the unsanctioned event became too dangerous to continue after multiple party-goers were taken to area hospitals because of injuries from fights.

Many Kent State students said cold temperatures in the 40s and intermittent rain kept the party from getting as large as years past.