Man sprayed after allegedly fighting a cop
By Andrea Gregory

It may have looked like the man in a red hat and plaid shirt was playing in traffic, but the game was over when police arrived on the scene.
Police received a call on Saturday around 5 p.m., for a man who appeared intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, walking in and out of traffic near Derby Street.

   ‚ÄúI responded to the area, and after a short search I located the subject at the corner of Broadway and Fenwick (Street),‚Äù wrote Officer Steve St. Hilare in his police report. ‚ÄúI observed this male talking to himself and swinging his arms around as if he was angry about something.‚Äù
   St. Hilare flashed his cruiser lights and pulled the vehicle over. Joseph Perkins, 20, of South Boston allegedly began cursing out the cop as he approached. Perkins then started walking into oncoming traffic, stated St. Hilare.
    ‚ÄúI grabbed him by the shirt in an attempt to stop him from getting hurt,‚Äù wrote St. Hilare.
     But Perkins got defensive about the physical contact, according to police. St. Hilare said Perkins was trying to fight him. He said he was able to get Perkins down, but Perkins continued to struggle and fight. Perkins allegedly tried to take the officer down with him which led to him being pepper sprayed.
     ‚ÄúSo I placed him on the ground. While on the ground this male placed his arms around my left leg in an attempt to take me down. Seeing he was out of control, I then sprayed him with pepper spray and called for backup,‚Äù St. Hilare said in his report. ‚ÄúAfter my backup arrived I was able to place the defendant in handcuffs.‚Äù
      Perkins was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and assault and battery on a police officer.