# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 8: Destruction of or damage to property by persons riotously assembled; liability of town

> Massachusetts · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S8

## Section

- **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 8
- **Heading:** Destruction of or damage to property by persons riotously assembled; liability of town
- **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MA Code / Part IV / Title I / Chapter 269 / Section 8

## Text

Section 8. If property of the value of fifty dollars or more is destroyed or if property is damaged to that amount or to a value in excess thereof by fifteen or more persons who are riotously or tumultuously assembled and provided that the activities of such riotous or tumultuous group are observed and reported to the police during the period that such activities are occurring, the town within which the property was situated shall, if the owner of such property uses all reasonable diligence to prevent said destruction or damage and to procure the conviction of the offenders, be liable to indemnify the owner thereof in tort to the amount of three-fourth's of the value of the property destroyed or of the amount of such damage thereto, and may recover the same against any or all of the persons who so destroyed or damaged such property.

Section 8. If property of the value of fifty dollars or more is destroyed or if property is damaged to that amount or to a value in excess thereof by fifteen or more persons who are riotously or tumultuously assembled and provided that the activities of such riotous or tumultuous group are observed and reported to the police during the period that such activities are occurring, the town within which the property was situated shall, if the owner of such property uses all reasonable diligence to prevent said destruction or damage and to procure the conviction of the offenders, be liable to indemnify the owner thereof in tort to the amount of three-fourth's of the value of the property destroyed or of the amount of such damage thereto, and may recover the same against any or all of the persons who so destroyed or damaged such property.

## Nearby sections

- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 1 Dispensing and suppressing unlawful assembly; arresting persons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S1.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 2 Refusing or neglecting to depart or to assist in suppressing assembly or in arresting persons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S2.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 3 Neglect or refusal to exercise authority to suppress assembly](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S3.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 4 Requiring aid; dispersing and suppressing assembly; seizure of persons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S4.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 5 Armed forces obeying orders for suppressing riot and dispersing and arresting persons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S5.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 6 Person killed or wounded as result of an assembly; guilt and responsibility](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S6.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 7 Injury to building or vessel by persons unlawfully assembled](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S7.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 8 Destruction of or damage to property by persons riotously assembled; liability of town](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S8.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 10 Carrying dangerous weapons; possession of machine gun or sawed-off shotguns; possession of large capacity weapon or large capacity feeding device; punishment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S10.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 10A Selling, giving or using silencers; confiscation and destruction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S10A.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 10C Tear gas; use in commission of crimes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S10C.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 10D Body armor; use in commission of crime](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S10D.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 10E Firearms sales, distributions or transfers; penalties; eligibility for probation, parole, furlough or work release](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S10E.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 10F Illegal sale, gifts or transfer of large capacity weapons or large capacity feeding devices; punishment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S10F.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S8. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.