Block Partier to Officer: 'You Can't Tell Me What to Do'

The ignoble distinction of the sole person arrested during Woonsocket's 125th Birthday Block Party Thursday goes to a man splashing in the kiddie pool under the Arc de Triomphe who defied orders to come out, then struck an officer.

At about 8:52 p.m., Woonsocket Police Officer Craig Thompson, working the Block Party detail for the night, was called to the Arc in front of Stadium Theater at Monument Square by a group of people who pointed out a man splashing in the kiddie pool set below the Arc to recycle the waterfall's flow, according to Woonsocket Public Information Officer Jamie Paone. 

Thompson told the man, later identified as Richard Dumont, 61, of 51 Wood Ave., to stop splashing in the pool and come out to speak to him. Dumont was not in a conciliatory mood, according to Thompson's report.

"There's no sign saying I can't," said Dumont, according to the report, "I'm going to do what I want to do. You can't tell me what to do."

When Dumont did exit the pool, he attempted to run from Thompson, striking him with an open hand in the process. Though audacious, the escape attempt was unsuccessful, and Thompson arrested Dumont, charging him with simple assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. 

Dumont was arraigned today in Sixth District Court, pleading not guilty. He has been set a trial date of Sept. 12.