With Sham Jam, a yearly party thrown to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day, set to occur this Saturday, Fairfield University, the Fairfield Police Department and Reef Road residents are preparing for the event.
Jenna Wellington, Public Affairs Sergeant for the Fairfield Police Department, speaking on behalf of both the town and the police department, shared that “multiple officers will be present [at the beach] to maintain a safe and orderly environment. In preparation for the event, members of the police department meet with event organizers, town officials and community stakeholders to coordinate logistics and safety measures. Since this event occurs annually, many of our officers have experience working it and are well-prepared to manage the day effectively.”
Last year, Sham Jam was hosted both at the town beaches and at the on-campus townhouses. The university also hired security guards to assist DPS officers in monitoring the townhouses.
Jennifer Anderson, Vice President of Marketing at Fairfield University explained in a statement that the university encourages students participating in off-campus events to remain safe and abide by town rules.. She anticipates that this year’s Sham Jam event will take place at the SeaGrape, a bar on Reef Road popular among students.
“This year, it is our understanding students are holding Sham Jam at the SeaGrape Café,” Anderson said. “As part of our ongoing commitment to being a community partner, the University will support additional public safety personnel and coordinate beach clean-ups.”
For decades, Reef Road has been a prime location for Fairfield University seniors looking to enjoy their final year near the beach. However, as student housing has expanded and social media has amplified the party culture leading to larger attendance for events like Sham Jam or SantaCon, local residents find themselves navigating the chaos that comes with living in one of the town’s most sought-after spots.
Forty years ago, only about ten houses in the area were rented by students. Today, many longtime homeowners have sold to developers, leading to overcrowding and a surge in party houses. The consequences? Streets lined with Ubers and Lyfts, a complete lack of available street parking, and a neighborhood transformed into a student hub – especially on the weekends. Many residents feel trapped in their own homes, unable to pull out of their driveways safely due to the congestion. Speeding, noise and reckless behavior have become part of their everyday lives.
This year, despite ticketed celebrations for Fairfield seniors at the SeaGrape, the unsanctioned event is expected to be held at both the townhouses and the beach, with some Reef Road residents sharing concerns about the troubling beach parties.
The Mirror has granted their request for anonymity due to fears of student vandalism and previous experiences of students throwing trash in response to them speaking with the media.
One resident, a female who has lived on Reef Road for 35 years, described the scene: “They pee on the side of your house– the side of my house was yellow.”
Littering is another issue: “Not just when you have your big parties – every morning, I have a bottle or two in my yard. It’s just part of living here.”
Another resident, a male who has lived on Reef Road for 40 years, echoes similar concerns, describing how students frequently mistake their homes for party houses. “I had a kid at 3 o’clock in the morning banging on my back door,” he said. “Broke in and just passed out. They don’t know where they are– they just think all of these houses are their college houses.”
Despite the disruptions, some residents still appreciate the energy students bring. “The kids are great. It’s nice to have young people around,” the 40-year resident said. “It’s the luck of the draw as a resident who you get next door.”
The 40-year-old resident explained that he does enjoy where he has raised his family, “I think I’d be bored living in a quiet neighborhood. I think I’d go out of my mind because I’ve seen everything.”
Still, as Sham Jam approaches, tensions are high. The event, which attracts students from multiple schools, is known for massive crowds, all-day drinking and an overwhelming police presence. “Years ago, it started at 10 in the morning and went all night,” the 35-year resident explained. “The police have learned they need to shut it down at six, or all hell’s going to break loose… I go to the mall and go shopping, I’ll come back later.”
With Sham Jam on the horizon, residents expect another wave of overcrowding, public intoxication and noise that carries well into the early hours of the morning.
The sheer volume of students has made enforcement challenging. “There can’t be more than 250 kids on Lantern Point; they’re breaking a court-ordered injunction,” the 35-year resident said.
Some residents feel unsafe and pointless confronting students directly. The 35-year resident added, “Three o’clock in the morning, you’re not going to be able to argue with a drunk college kid, especially a male.”
Despite the chaos, some longtime residents acknowledge that the situation isn’t black and white. Some clubs on campus such as L.E.A.F Club make an effort to clean up after student gatherings. In addition, Fairfield University leads a weekly initiative to clean up the beaches. Often, seniors and sports teams spend their Sunday mornings picking up trash left behind on the beach.
The 35-year resident reflected on how the culture has shifted. “Ten, fifteen years ago, these kids were so good. They would take care of my dogs, and I let them have their graduation party in my backyard.”
Both residents also point out that Fairfield University students aren’t the only ones contributing to the problem. “It’s not just Farirfield, it’s Sacred Heart,” one resident explained, noting that students form surrounding schools also flock to areas for the parties. “Fairfield U will get a bad reputation from it too. It’s other schools, and you guys get a bad reputation.”
Still, the summer months offer a break from the madness. “The summer months are so nice; it’s quiet and there is nobody on the streets,” the 35-year resident shared. But, the cycle inevitably begins again each school year.
As Fairfield University’s beach community continues to grow, striking a balance between student life and neighborhood peace remains an ongoing challenge. Without intervention, residents fear the situation will only escalate, making it harder and harder for them to call Reef Road home.
