Saved By The Belt Award

Chief Scherpa is pleased to announce that Erika Vanderveldern was recently presented with the Amherst Police Department's Saved by the Belt Award.

On May 16, 2008, Erika was involved in a significant motor vehicle accident on South East Street. Because she was wearing her seat belt at the time of the accident, her injuries were drastically reduced. Based on the investigation into the accident, Erika was found to be not at fault.

The Amherst Police Department would like to remind the motoring public that it is a law to have your seat belt on at all times while in a moving motor vehicle. By wearing your seat belt, and by encouraging your passengers to do the same, you acknowledge the importance seat belts have in saving lives.

If you're going to drink, stop and think.

The Amherst Police Department is joining with the Massachusetts State Police and local law enforcement agencies in a "Drunk Driving - Over the Limit - Under Arrest" mobilization from July 2nd through July 23rd, 2008.

This mobilization combines extra state and local traffic enforcement with public information to reduce impaired driving and other traffic offenses. The mobilization is coordinated and funded by the Governor’s Highway Safety Bureau, a program of the Executive Office of Public Safety.

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The Amherst Police Department recommends that if you host a party over the July 4th holiday where alcohol will be available, offer non-alcoholic beverages and food as well to prevent drinking from becoming the focus of your gathering. If you are heading out to an event and plan to consume alcohol, be sure to designate a sober driver or plan to use a taxi or take mass transit.

Impaired driving is a serious crime that could cost you more than just your freedom, job, vehicle, or license. You could kill or injure yourself or other innocent people. More than 14,000 people are arrested annually for drunk driving in Massachusetts. A first-time drunk driving conviction can cost almost $8,000 plus insurance surcharge expenses.

Drunk Driving - Over the Limit - Under Arrest.

For more information, go to www.mass.gov/ghsb

ID Theft Presentation for Seniors - Tomorrow!

Tomorrow, Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, the Amherst Police Department, in partnership with the Town of Amherst SALT Council (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together), will be hosting a presentation titled "Protect Yourself From Identity Theft."

Officers Derick Lamoureux and Jamie Reardon will be presenting the one-hour talk and will offer tips and guidance to community members on how to avoid becoming victims of identity theft. While the presentation is geared towards senior citizens, everyone is welcome as identity theft is a growing crime that all members of our community could fall victim to. The Amherst Police Department hopes that through education and information we can help prevent this crime from occurring.

The presentation will take place tomorrow from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm in the Amherst Police Department Community Room, 111 Main St., Amherst, MA. For more information contact Officer Derick Lamoureux at 413-259-3000 or lamoureuxd@amherstma.gov.

New Bicycle Patrol Officers

The Amherst Police Department is pleased to announce three recent additions to their Bicycle Patrol Unit. Officers Dominick Corsetti, Felipe Feliciano, and Derick Lamoureux attended a training session last week which was held at the Amherst Police Department. Other area departments were involved in the training as well including the Hampshire County Sheriff's Department and the Enfield CT Police Department. Officer William Laramee of the Amherst Police Department, a certified IPMBA (International Police Mountain Bike Association) instructor, taught the 32-hour course. Bicycle Patrol is a heavily utilized form of policing in the Town of Amherst from early March to mid November.

Weekend Activity Log 6/20 - 6/22

This past weekend, Amherst Police Officers responded to 169 calls for service, and 5 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 - 1 Person

Domestic Assault and Battery - 1 Person

Domestic A&B with a Dangerous Weapon - 1 Person

Breaking and Entering in the Nighttime - 2 Persons

Respect & Proper Treatment of Wild Animals

Amherst Animal Welfare Officer Carol Hepburn wants to remind citizens that wild animals we may encounter in the woods or that wander into our yards should not be fed - no matter how hungry they may appear. Feeding wild animals puts both the citizen and animal at risk! This is also a problem when people leave their trash or compost piles out and not properly secured. "People food" is not healthy for animal consumption. If animals learn that humans can provide an easy food source, they may lose their natural fear of people. Wildlife fed from or near vehicles can become traffic hazards or struck by cars.

This is also the time of year when there is an increase in the reported number of rabid animals that have wandered into yards and neighborhoods. If either you or your pet is bitten by a possible rabid animal, contact your vet or doctor immediately and take no chances! It is important that citizens contact Animal Welfare Officer Hepburn in instances where a possible rapid animal has been sighted. Hepburn will assess the animal to determine its health. If she determines that the animal is normal and healthy, it will not be destroyed. Signs of rabies in animals include their loss of balance, having no fear of humans, drooling, etc. Only mammals can get rabies - birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians do not. Most cases of rabies occur in wild animals including skunks, raccoons, bats, coyotes and foxes. In the case of an animal that is injured, but not sick, Hepburn has contacts with wildlife rehabilitators in the state who can provide assistance and treatment as well.

Animal Welfare Officer Carol Hepburn can be reached at 413-478-7084 or via email at hepburnc@amherstma.gov.

Young Adult Adventure Academy Info

The 2008 Amherst Police Young Adult Adventure Academy will be held Monday, July 14th to Friday, July 18th, 2008 from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. Hampshire County residents entering 8th, 9th, or 10th grade are eligible to attend the one-week academy. There is no fee to attend, but the academy size is limited to 20 young adults and preference will be given to Town of Amherst residents. Similar to a Citizens' Police Academy, students will attend morning classroom sessions held at the Police Department with lectures, role-plays, and interactive demonstrations given by police officers in the areas of law, crime scene investigation, defensive tactics, patrol procedures, and school safety to name just a few. Most afternoon sessions will be held at our Adventure Based Ropes Course at the Norwottuck Range where we will promote teamwork, communication, and strategy building.

More information about the Amherst Police Young Adult Adventure Academy is available on our website at http://www.amherstpd.org/. Applications can be obtained in the Amherst Police Department lobby or downloaded off of our website. The application deadline is June 25th, 2008, so please don’t delay!

Questions regarding the Adventure Academy can be forwarded to either Officer Bill Laramee at 413-259-3000 or larameeb@amhestma.gov or Officer Brian Matuszko at 413-259-3000 or matuszkob@amherstma.gov. This program is funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety’s Community Policing Grant Program.

Two Officers Promoted

Chief Charles L. Scherpa is pleased to announce the promotion of two officers. Effective July 1, 2008, Sergeant Christopher G. Pronovost will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and Officer Brian T. Johnson will be promoted to the rank of Sergeant. The promotions will fill the positions that were vacated with the promotion of Captain Scott P. Livingstone on February 11, 2008.

Christopher G. Pronovost has been with the Amherst Police Department since 1990. He advanced to the rank of Sergeant in 1993 and was assigned as a patrol supervisor. In 2003, Pronovost was appointed as a supervisor in the Detective Bureau. He is a graduate of Western New England College where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Law Enforcement and a Master's degree in Criminal Justice Administration.

Brian T. Johnson has been with the Amherst Police Department since 1997. Johnson was assigned patrol duties until his reassignment to the Detective Bureau in 2003. He was a member of the department's Mounted Horse Patrol and the Motorcycle Patrol Unit. In addition, he is a member of the Warrant Entry Team and an instructor for the Citizens' Police Academy. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. Johnson obtained a Master's degree in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College.

Fundraising Scam?

The Amherst community is reminded that the Amherst Police Department does not conduct, or hire others to conduct, telephone fundraising on their behalf. Kathy Scherpa, wife of Police Chief Charles Scherpa, received a telephone call earlier today by a male who stated he was “fundraising for the Amherst Police Department.” Mrs. Scherpa had the keen sense to know that we don’t conduct telephone solicitations, and she identified herself as an Amherst Police Officer's wife. Mrs. Scherpa told the man that she doubted his intentions. The caller quickly changed his story, and then stated that the fundraising was for the State Police. Thank you, Mrs. Scherpa, for not falling for this scam!

Unfortunately, solicitation companies often do fundraising for “police fraternal organizations” where they have no support from any police agency and little, if any, funding actually makes it to any law enforcement-related organization.

Citizens are discouraged from pledging money to any organization that states it is affiliated with the Amherst Police Department. Anyone with questions can contact the Amherst Police Department at 413-259-3000 or police@amherstma.gov.

Weekend Activity Log 6/6 - 6/8

This past weekend, Amherst Police Officers responded to 156 calls for service, and 7 individuals were either arrested or will be summonsed into court on criminal charges.

The primary offenses for which these persons are charged include:
Shoplifting - 1 Person
Larceny - 1 Person
Town By-Law Noise Violation - 2 Persons
Possession of Alcohol under 21 - 1 Person
Disorderly Conduct - 1 Person
Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle - 1 Person

Requesting Help Identifying Graffiti Vandals

The Amherst Police Department is requesting your help in stopping a recent rash of graffiti and tagging that has plagued the community. In the last two months, there have been close to 30 reports of graffiti vandalism. This graffiti is occurring throughout town, and it appears that several different persons are involved. Please immediately report any suspicious persons that you believe may be involved in this graffiti vandalism by calling 413-259-3000. Officers are investigating leads, but they are requesting any assistance that the community can offer. Online anonymous tips can be reported here.

Amherst Makes Top Blog Sites

The Amherst Police Department's blog has been ranked #10 in the Top 100 Criminal Justice Blogs according to the web site http://www.criminaljusticedegreesguide.com/. To view the entire list click here. Those of us involved in the Department's blog are excited to see this recognition, even though we are still in the early stages of our existence.

Meet Amherst Officers at the Fishing Derby

As a reminder to all community members, our annual Youth Fishing Derby is this Saturday, June 7th, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. It will be held at Puffers Pond at the Mill Street entrance. The Youth Fishing Derby is open to children ages 12 and under who are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Prizes will be given for the winners in various categories. The Amherst Police Department will be providing bait and soda; children will just need to bring their own fishing pole. The Derby will be held rain or shine, and no pre-registration is required for this community-wide event.

Questions regarding the derby can be forwarded to Sgt. David Knightly at knightlyd@amherstma.gov or 413-259-3000. This event is funded by the Executive Office of Public Safety Security through the Community Policing Grant Program.

Summer Program for High School Students

We are pleased to announce the dates for our Amherst Police Youth Adventure Academy. The 2008 Adventure Academy, geared toward high school students, is a one-week program that will be held Monday, July 14th through Friday, July 18th, from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. The Academy is open to all Hampshire County residents entering 8th, 9th, or 10th grade. There is no cost to attend, but class size is limited to 20 youths and preference will be given to Amherst residents.

The Adventure Academy's curriculum is geared towards students that have an interest in law enforcement or criminal justice. Students will attend morning classroom sessions held at the Police Department with lectures, role-plays and interactive demonstrations presented by Police Officers in the areas of law, crime scene investigation, defensive tactics, patrol procedures and school safety to name just a few. Most afternoon sessions will be held at our Adventure-Based Ropes Course, at the Norwottuck Range, where we will promote teamwork, communication, strategy and team building with the students.

Applications for the Academy can be picked up in the Amherst Police Department lobby or downloaded off of our website http://www.amherstpd.org/. The application deadline is June 20th, 2008, so please don’t delay!

Questions regarding the Adventure Academy can be forwarded to either Officer Bill Laramee at larameeb@amhestma.gov or Officer Ricky Arocho at arochor@amherstma.gov or to 413-259-3000. This program is funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety’s Community Policing Grant Program.

Weekend Activity Log 5/30 - 6/1

This past weekend, Amherst Police Officers responded to 182 calls for service, and 5 individuals were either arrested or will be summonsed into court on criminal charges.

The primary offenses for which these persons are charged include:
Operating Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol - 1 Person
Operation of Motor Vehicle with Suspended License - 1 Person
Assault with a Dangerous Weapon - 1 Person
Possession of Marijuana (Class D) - 2 Persons