Published: 8/18/2018 7:22:28 PM
GREENFIELD — A man was arrested Saturday morning for allegedly attacking three people with a knife on the Greenfield Common, where a group of homeless people have been living since the beginning of July.
Thomas J. Dixon, 44, of 15 High St., Greenfield, was arrested at the Common around 8:30 a.m., after police received calls about a fight involving a person with a “long knife.”
According to the Greenfield Police Department, Dixon “slashed” open one of the 15 tents currently serving as the residences of about 20 homeless people, and entered where “a struggle ensued.”
Three victims were treated on the scene for “superficial” knife wounds, according to police, and all three refused transportation to the hospital.
Dixon was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, attempted murder, three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault in a person’s dwelling while armed, home invasion and vandalism.
The arrest is the most serious of several arrests to take place on the Common in recent weeks, including the arrests of two men for drinking in public on August 6 — they, like Dixon, were not homeless or living on the Common. A fight was also reported on the Common Thursday, but no arrests were made.
Police Chief Robert Haigh has said that while they haven’t changed the way they police, the police have increased their presence around the Common.
The Greenfield Board of Health has ruled that those living on the Common must leave on or before Monday, Aug. 20, because of violations of the state health code. However, city officials, including Haigh and Mayor William Martin, have indicated that nobody will be forcibly removed from the Common Monday, and that the issue would likely have to go before a court before enforcing any type of cease and desist order.
Reach David McLellan at dmclellan@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 268.