Cambridge, MD - During the week of May 25, 2024, the Cambridge Police Department (CPD) became aware of an unsanctioned and unauthorized event that was called "Freaknik" by its creators. This event was being promoted on social media and was slated to take place on May 25, 2024 in the Greenwood Avenue area of Cambridge, Maryland starting around 4pm.

Due to public safety issues and associated violence that could result from a large scale event with hundreds of people in attendance, the Cambridge Police Department assigned multiple officers to the Greenwood Avenue area starting around 3:00 pm on May 25, 2024. The extra manpower was deployed to the area to show a police presence to reduce the possibility of any violence and to dismantle any illegal activities that may occur.

During the course of the night a large influx of citizens, estimated around 400 or more, began to congregate and gather in the areas of 500 and 600 blocks of Greenwood Ave and the 1000 block of Cosby Ave. Due to the extremely large crowd of people who had gathered, Cambridge Police Department had to call in additional off-duty officers and request mutual aid from area Law Enforcement agencies to include the Maryland State Police and Dorchester County Sheriff's Office. Maryland State Police and Dorchester County Sheriff's Office were requested to

During the event, large numbers of hostile crowds gathered, who were acting in disorderly manners with groups of subjects fighting and causing mass disturbances to the residents of the community. These individuals had converged in residential complexes that are posted with "No Trespassing" and "No Loitering" signs. Multiple vehicles also parked in "No Parking" zones that were clearly marked "No Parking by the City of Cambridge".

Officers who had been deployed to the area used loud speaker systems from their patrol vehicles, giving multiple lawful orders for subjects to cease their actions and to leave the areas. These orders were also given verbally by multiple officers on scene.

While officers were attempting to have crowds disperse from areas, a large majority of groups were very defiant, belligerent, and hostile towards Law Enforcement. On several occasions bottles were thrown at officers and their patrol vehicles. One MSP patrol vehicle was struck with a glass bottle causing damage to the vehicle.

Multiple officers had to use force that included the deployment of Oleoresin Capsicum (OC Spray) and deployment of departmental issued Tasers to affect arrests and to keep hostile crowds back from officers who were making arrest of disorderly subjects.

During the event several officers were assaulted by individuals and multiple arrests were made.

Multiple parking citations were issued, and vehicles were towed from the area.

The Cambridge Police Department made the following arrest during the event:

17-Year-Old from Cambridge (charged via Juvenile Referral)
-Disorderly Conduct
-Failure to Obey a Reasonable and Lawful Order
-Trespass Posed Property

Princess La'Niya Justine Demby (20 years old from Cambridge, MD)
-Failure to Obey Lawful Order
-Disorderly Conduct
-Resist Arrest
-Released by Commissioner on Personal Recognizance

Velouse Richele'ne Georges (20 years old from Salisbury, MD)
-Assault 2^nd Degree
-Trespass Posted Property
-Resist Arrest
-Obstruct and Hindering
-Released by Commissioner on Personal Recognizance

Shaqueelah Shante Smith (32 years old from Cambridge, MD)
-Disorderly Conduct
-Released on Criminal Citation

Camren Dajour Lake (22 years old from Cambridge, MD)
-Trespass Posted Property
-Disorderly Conduct
-Failure to Obey Lawful Order
-Released on Criminal Citations

Ronald George Ricketts III (24 years old from Cambridge, MD)
-Disorderly Conduct
-Released on Criminal Citation

Ja'nya Amara Sherwood (19 years old from Salisbury, MD)
-Disorderly Conduct
-Dangerous Weapon Intent to Injure
-Released by Commissioner Personal Recognizance

Tei'Sha Na'Sha Simms (22 years old from Cambridge, MD)
-Failure to Obey a Lawful Order
-Released on Criminal Citation

This is still an on-going investigation where additional arrest and charges may be pending on individuals involved. The Cambridge Police Department does not condone these types of unsanctioned / unauthorized events as they create a dangerous climate and poor quality of life for the residents of the communities.

Any additional events of this magnitude that occur will be handled with a large Law Enforcement presence in order to keep a good and safe quality of life for the Citizens of Cambridge. Subjects found violating Criminal Laws will be arrested and charged accordingly.

The Cambridge Police Department would like to thank the Maryland State Police and the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office for their assistance during this event.