PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A Providence doctor and emergency medicine professor at Brown University's Alpert Medical School pleaded no contest Friday in District Court Providence to the charge of procuring alcohol for a minor, according to the Barrington police.
Dr. Bruce M. Becker, 56, who was arrested in July on charges he hosted an underage drinking party at his Barrington house, was fined $500.
Police Chief John M. LaCross said that although Becker took responsibility for hosting an underage drinking party "it is extremely disappointing that an adult, any adult would even consider allowing minors to drink alcohol on his or her property in light of the devastating tragedies our town has faced over the recent years.
"His poor judgment is not a reflection of the many Barrington parents and community leaders who have worked tirelessly to keep our teens safe from alcohol use."
The police were called to Bullock Avenue, off Sowams Road in the Hampden Meadows section of town, at 10:18 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, for a report of loud music.
Officers found numerous cars parked on the street and on the grass on either side of the driveway at 26 Bullock Ave. The music, the police said, could be heard from the street.
In a narrative, Patrolman Timothy L. Oser said he saw three teenage boys walking up the driveway toward him with silver, blue and white cans in each hand, later determined to be 12-ounce cans of Natural Light beer, unopened and chilled. When he told the teenagers to approach him, Oser said, they turned around and started running toward the backyard, dropping the cans.
Becker was charged under the state's Social Host Law. Barrington was one of the communities that spearheaded the law after a series of underage alcohol-related deaths.
Brown did not immediately return a phone call regarding Becker.