In the past 24 hours we’ve received three reports of breaking and entering to a motor vehicle. In two of the breaks it appears that the culprits were only after GPS systems that were left on the dashboard. Citizens are reminded to remove their GPS or other valuables from their vehicles each night.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Community Alert
In the past 24 hours we’ve received three reports of breaking and entering to a motor vehicle. In two of the breaks it appears that the culprits were only after GPS systems that were left on the dashboard. Citizens are reminded to remove their GPS or other valuables from their vehicles each night.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Amherst Officers Receive MADD Award
Chief Charles L. Scherpa is pleased to announce that Amherst Police Officers Richard P. MacLean and Scott E. Gallagher received MADD’s 2007 Drive for Life Law Enforcement Award. This award is given each year to selected police officers across the state for their excellence and leadership in drunk-driving enforcement.
On February 26, 2008, Officers MacLean and Gallagher were honored, along with 108 other local and state police officers, at a ceremony at the Devens Common Center, in Devens, MA. These award winners made a total of 2,800 OUI arrests last year.
Officer MacLean has been honored by MADD three times, and he is a charter member of their 'MADD Law Enforcement 100,' having alone effected more than 130 OUI arrests within the last four years. Officer Gallagher was a 2006 award winner.
Together, Officers MacLean and Gallagher made 60 of the Amherst Police Department’s 117 OUI arrests in 2007.
The entire Amherst Police Department was presented with a MADD 2007 Drive for Life Award, and the department was recognized for its overall commitment to OUI enforcement and participation in a Sobriety Checkpoint in 2007.
Click here to watch Boston News Center 5's story about the awards: Amherst Officers Receiving Award!
On February 26, 2008, Officers MacLean and Gallagher were honored, along with 108 other local and state police officers, at a ceremony at the Devens Common Center, in Devens, MA. These award winners made a total of 2,800 OUI arrests last year.
Officer MacLean has been honored by MADD three times, and he is a charter member of their 'MADD Law Enforcement 100,' having alone effected more than 130 OUI arrests within the last four years. Officer Gallagher was a 2006 award winner.
Together, Officers MacLean and Gallagher made 60 of the Amherst Police Department’s 117 OUI arrests in 2007.
The entire Amherst Police Department was presented with a MADD 2007 Drive for Life Award, and the department was recognized for its overall commitment to OUI enforcement and participation in a Sobriety Checkpoint in 2007.
Click here to watch Boston News Center 5's story about the awards: Amherst Officers Receiving Award!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Weekend Activity
Over the past weekend, Amherst Officers responded to 281 calls for service, and 23 individuals were either arrested or will be summonsed into court on criminal charges.
The primary offenses for which these persons are charged include:
Arrest Warrant - 2 persons
Criminal Motor Vehicle offenses - 3 persons
Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol - 5 persons
Possession of Class B Narcotic (cocaine) -1 person
Violation of the Noise By-law - 5 persons
Assault and Battery, Domestic - 1 person
Indecent Exposure- 1 person
Liquor Law Violations - 5 persons
The primary offenses for which these persons are charged include:
Arrest Warrant - 2 persons
Criminal Motor Vehicle offenses - 3 persons
Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol - 5 persons
Possession of Class B Narcotic (cocaine) -1 person
Violation of the Noise By-law - 5 persons
Assault and Battery, Domestic - 1 person
Indecent Exposure- 1 person
Liquor Law Violations - 5 persons
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Livingstone Promoted to Captain
Chief of Police Charles L. Scherpa announces that Lieutenant Scott P. Livingstone was promoted to the rank of Captain effective February 11, 2008. He will be officially sworn in at the Amherst Select Board Meeting on February 25, 2008, at 6:45 p.m.
Captain Livingstone joined the Amherst Police Department as a Community Service Officer on March 28, 1977. He was appointed Patrolman on September 8, 1981, and he graduated from the Massachusetts State Police Academy 73rd MPOC in December of 1981. Livingstone was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on January 2, 1988, and he was assigned to the department’s detective bureau in May of 2000. Livingstone was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on September 13, 2000.
Captain Livingstone is a trained instructor in Crowd Management and Special Operations. He is the department’s instructor in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, Breathalyzer Operation, and OUI Detection. Most recently, Captain Livingstone was the Officer in Charge of night shift operations. He is currently the President of the Amherst Police Relief Association.
Captain Livingstone grew up in Granby, MA, and he is a graduate of Granby High School, Springfield Technical Community College, and Western New England College where he obtained his Bachelors of Science in Law Enforcement. Livingstone is the son of Ruby Livingstone of Granby; he resides in Northampton with his wife, Rhys, and their two daughters.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Friday Night Fights
During the early hours of Saturday morning, Amherst Police Officers responded to calls for eight different fights in just under four hours. The active fighting occurred throughout town and included Hobart Lane, Main Street, Shumway Street, and North Pleasant Street. Three of the disturbances involved suspects who were allegedly threatening people with knives. Two arrests were made, and two additional persons will likely be summonsed into court on various charges.
One house party on Main Street had approximatly five hundred guests. During the removal of these guests, several small skirmishes broke out in and around the home. One person was located near Triangle Street with severe facial injuries. He was transported to Cooley Dickenson Hospital by the Amherst Fire Department.
Investigations into these disturbances and their possible connections to one another are on-going.
One house party on Main Street had approximatly five hundred guests. During the removal of these guests, several small skirmishes broke out in and around the home. One person was located near Triangle Street with severe facial injuries. He was transported to Cooley Dickenson Hospital by the Amherst Fire Department.
Investigations into these disturbances and their possible connections to one another are on-going.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
MEMA Posts Roof Collapse & Storm Drain Warning
Below is a roof collapse alert from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). Amherst residents should be aware of the potential hazards from this wet storm.
FRAMINGHAM, MA – “The wet snow and heavy rain which this storm is producing present a threat for roof collapses, as well as localized street and basement flooding around the Commonwealth,” states Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Director Don Boyce. “If not cleared off of roofs, the snow acts as a sponge, absorbing any additional sleet and rain, adding stress to structures. Flat, commercial roofs are most susceptible if they are not draining properly. Additionally, MEMA encourages citizens to clear storm drains in their neighborhoods to minimize local flooding problems from this run-off.”
In many other cases, roof ice dams have formed causing water build-up, leading to interior damage. To minimize the risk of over-stressing a building roof due to accumulated or drifting snow:
· Be on the alert for large accumulating snow build-up or snowdrifts on your roofs.
· If roof snow can be removed with the use of a snow rake (available at most hardware stores), do so. Use caution, as metal snow rakes conduct electricity if they come into contact with a power line.
· Try to avoid working from ladders, as ladder rungs tend to ice up. Snow and ice collect on boot soles, and metal ladders.
· Flat roofs can be shoveled clear, but only if it is determined that the roof is safe to stand upon. Exercise care when on the roof to avoid potentially dangerous falls.
· Flat roof drainage systems should be kept clear to minimize the risk of excess roof ponding in the event of subsequent heavy rainfall or melting.
· Large icicles can form on roof overhangs, but do not necessarily mean ice damming is occurring. Icicles overhanging doorways and walkways can be dangerous and should be carefully removed.
· All of the mentioned actions should only be performed by able-bodied adults, as the snow is heavy, and roofs and other surfaces may be slippery. Protective headgear and eye protection is recommended.
This roof collapse alert is issued by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), in conjunction with the State Board of Building Regulations and Standards.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state agency responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies and disasters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MEMA provides leadership to: develop plans for effective response to all hazards, disasters or threats; train emergency personnel to protect the public; provide information to the citizenry; and assist individuals, families, businesses and communities to mitigate against, prepare for, and respond to and recover from emergencies, both natural and man made. For additional information about MEMA and Winter Preparedness, go to the MEMA website at www.mass.gov/mema.
FRAMINGHAM, MA – “The wet snow and heavy rain which this storm is producing present a threat for roof collapses, as well as localized street and basement flooding around the Commonwealth,” states Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Director Don Boyce. “If not cleared off of roofs, the snow acts as a sponge, absorbing any additional sleet and rain, adding stress to structures. Flat, commercial roofs are most susceptible if they are not draining properly. Additionally, MEMA encourages citizens to clear storm drains in their neighborhoods to minimize local flooding problems from this run-off.”
In many other cases, roof ice dams have formed causing water build-up, leading to interior damage. To minimize the risk of over-stressing a building roof due to accumulated or drifting snow:
· Be on the alert for large accumulating snow build-up or snowdrifts on your roofs.
· If roof snow can be removed with the use of a snow rake (available at most hardware stores), do so. Use caution, as metal snow rakes conduct electricity if they come into contact with a power line.
· Try to avoid working from ladders, as ladder rungs tend to ice up. Snow and ice collect on boot soles, and metal ladders.
· Flat roofs can be shoveled clear, but only if it is determined that the roof is safe to stand upon. Exercise care when on the roof to avoid potentially dangerous falls.
· Flat roof drainage systems should be kept clear to minimize the risk of excess roof ponding in the event of subsequent heavy rainfall or melting.
· Large icicles can form on roof overhangs, but do not necessarily mean ice damming is occurring. Icicles overhanging doorways and walkways can be dangerous and should be carefully removed.
· All of the mentioned actions should only be performed by able-bodied adults, as the snow is heavy, and roofs and other surfaces may be slippery. Protective headgear and eye protection is recommended.
This roof collapse alert is issued by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), in conjunction with the State Board of Building Regulations and Standards.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state agency responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies and disasters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MEMA provides leadership to: develop plans for effective response to all hazards, disasters or threats; train emergency personnel to protect the public; provide information to the citizenry; and assist individuals, families, businesses and communities to mitigate against, prepare for, and respond to and recover from emergencies, both natural and man made. For additional information about MEMA and Winter Preparedness, go to the MEMA website at www.mass.gov/mema.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Weekend Activity
Over the past weekend, Amherst Officers responded to 247 calls for service, and 31 individuals were either arrested or will be summonsed into court on criminal charges.
The primary offenses for which these persons are charged include:
Disorderly Conduct - 2 persons
Criminal Motor Vehicle offenses - 5 persons
Breaking and Entering, Motor Vehicle - 2 persons
Assault and Battery, Dangerous Weapon - 1 person
Liquor Law Violations - 17 persons
Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol - 2 persons
Assault and Battery - 2 persons
The primary offenses for which these persons are charged include:
Disorderly Conduct - 2 persons
Criminal Motor Vehicle offenses - 5 persons
Breaking and Entering, Motor Vehicle - 2 persons
Assault and Battery, Dangerous Weapon - 1 person
Liquor Law Violations - 17 persons
Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol - 2 persons
Assault and Battery - 2 persons
Monday, February 4, 2008
Assault Sends 4 to the Hospital
Amherst Officers are investigating a serious assault and battery that occurred early Friday morning, February 1st, 2008. The incident, which happened at a North Pleasant Street apartment, resulted in four UMass men being taken to the hospital for various non-life- threatening injuries. The victims have stated that they were assaulted with bottles and sticks, and they were also kicked, after a disagreement which had taken place earlier in the evening. The Amherst Police Department is investigating this incident, and anyone with any additional information is asked to call Detective Gabriel Ting at 413-259-3015.
Weekend Activity
The Amherst Police Department responded to 259 calls for service and criminally summonsed or arrested 23 persons for criminal offenses.
The following were the primary criminal offenses charged:
Violation of the Noise By-Law - 4 persons
Possession of Class D Drug - 2 persons
Criminal Motor Vehicle offenses - 3 persons
Assault - 2 persons
Assault and Battery - 2 persons
Liquor Law offenses - 8 persons
Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol - 1 person
Disorderly Person - 1 person
In addition to the regularly assigned shift, 15 extra Amherst Police Officers were on-duty and available should there have been any disturbance-related incidents - either on or off the UMass campus relative to the Super Bowl. The game ended with only minor incidents occurring on campus.
The following were the primary criminal offenses charged:
Violation of the Noise By-Law - 4 persons
Possession of Class D Drug - 2 persons
Criminal Motor Vehicle offenses - 3 persons
Assault - 2 persons
Assault and Battery - 2 persons
Liquor Law offenses - 8 persons
Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol - 1 person
Disorderly Person - 1 person
In addition to the regularly assigned shift, 15 extra Amherst Police Officers were on-duty and available should there have been any disturbance-related incidents - either on or off the UMass campus relative to the Super Bowl. The game ended with only minor incidents occurring on campus.
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