Halloween Safety Tips

Before Halloween the Amherst Police Department reminds you to:

- Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
- Plan costumes that are bright and reflective.

- Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
- Secure emergency identification (name, address, phone number) discreetly within Halloween attire or on a bracelet.
- Because a mask can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic and hypoallergenic makeup or a decorative hat as a safe alternative.
- When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories, purchase only those with a label indicating they are flame resistant.
- Think twice before using simulated knives, guns or swords. If such props must be used, be certain they do not appear authentic and are soft and flexible to prevent injury.
- Plan ahead to use only battery powered lanterns or chemical lightsticks in place of candles in decorations and costumes.
- Teach children their home phone number and to how call 9-1-1 if they have an emergency or become lost. Remind them that 9-1-1 can be dialed free from any phone.
- Openly discuss appropriate and inappropriate behavior at Halloween time.
- Always use the front door - NEVER go to the back of a house.
- Stay on the sidewalks. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left side of the road.
- Inspect the bag of goodies before letting the kids dig in. Make sure wrappers are on candy and have not been opened. Examine and wash any fruit before eating it.
- Take extra effort to eliminate tripping hazards on your porch and walkway. Check around your property for flower pots, low tree limbs, support wires or garden hoses that may prove hazardous to young children rushing from house to house.
- Consider safe party guidelines when hosting an adult or office party.

Weekend Activity

Weekend Activity Report for Friday, October 24, 2008 through Monday, October 27, 2008.

The Amherst Police Department responded to, or initiated, 292 calls for service with 19 individuals either arrested or issued a criminal summons. A breakdown of these charges follows. Some individuals face more than one charge. To view our weekly Arrest Log with names and charges, visit the link on our website.

A&B ON POLICE OFFICER, 1 person
A&B WITH DANGEROUS WEAPON, 1 person
ARRESTED ON WARRANT INITIATED BY OTHER AGENCY, 1 person
B&E NIGHTTIME FOR FELONY, 1 person
DISORDERLY CONDUCT, 4 persons
IDENTIFY SELF, MV OPERATOR REFUSE, 1 person
LARCENY UNDER $250, 1 person
LEAVE SCENE OF PROPERTY DAMAGE, 2 persons
LICENSE SUSPENDED, OP MV WITH, 1 person
LIQUOR, PERSON UNDER 21 POSSESS, 5 persons
LIQUOR, PERSON UNDER 21 PROCURE , 1 person
MARKED LANES VIOLATION, 4 persons
OUI LIQUOR, 3 persons
RESIST ARREST, 4 persons
SHOPLIFTING BY ASPORTATION, 1 person
SPEEDING IN VIOLATION SPECIAL REGULATION, 1 person
TBL A2 S3: UNLAWFUL NOISE, 2 persons
TBL A2 S6: OPEN CONTAINER OF ALCOHOL, 1 person
TBL A7 S4: FAIL TO USE CARE/STOPPING, 2 persons

Three Amherst Officers Escape Injury

On Friday night, three Amherst officers escaped injury after run-ins with citizens.

At 8:00 pm, Officer Megan Attesi stopped a motorist for speeding through the busy downtown area. The motorist, Lauren Ciardiello, 20, of 19 Gristmill Ln., Walpole, MA, was uncooperative with Officer Attesi and failed to identify herself. Ciardiello was disorderly and combative, and she was placed under arrest. In the struggle, Ciardiello kicked Officer Attesi. Fortunately Attesi’s injury did not require medical attention. Ciardiello is charged with the following: speeding, operator failing to identify self, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (shod foot), and marked lanes violation.

At 10:00 pm on the same evening, Lieutenant Jennifer Gundersen's police cruiser was rear- ended while she was waiting for the stop light at the intersection of North Pleasant Street and Massachusetts Avenue. The operator of that vehicle, Richard D. Hicks, 21, of 10 Pine St., Amherst, was subsequently arrested and charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and failure to use care in stopping. Lieutenant Gundersen did not require medical attention and the cruiser had little damage.

Then, early Sunday morning, at approximately 2:45 am, Officer Dominic Corsetti was punched and bitten on the hand when he tried to take a subject into custody from the Brandywine Apartments in North Amherst. Arrested was Jason Whittier, 21, of 39 Brightwood Rd., Waltham, MA. Whittier is being charged with the following: disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and assault and battery on a police officer. Officer Corsetti did not require medical attention.

Weekend Activity

Weekend Activity Report for Friday, October 17, 2008, through Monday, October 20, 2008.

Homecoming weekend proved to be busy with the department responding to, or initiating, 226 calls for service. Twenty-nine individuals were either arrested or issued a criminal summons for various charges.

A breakdown of these charges follows
(some individuals face more than one charge):

Disorderly Conduct: 3
Drug, Possess Class E: 1
Indecent Exposure: 1
License Not In Possession: 1
License Suspended, Operating a Motor Vehicle: 1
Lights Violation, Motor Vehicle: 2
Liquor to Person Under 21, Sell/Deliver: 3
Liquor, Person Under 21 Possess: 12
Marked Lanes Violation: 1
Negligent Operation of Motor Vehicle: 1
OUI Liquor: 4
Resist Arrest: 1
Speeding in Violation Special Regulation: 1
TBL A2 S3: Unlawful Noise: 3
TBL A2 S6: Open Container of Alcohol: 7
TBL A24 S4: Unlawful Possession of Keg: 3
TBL A7 S4: Fail to Use Care/Backing: 1
Trespass: 1
Unlicensed Operation of Motor Vehicle: 1

Successful Bicycle Event

Members of the Amherst Police Bicycle Patrol Unit were recently out in the community distributing free bicycle helmets to the youth of Amherst. The bicycle helmets, obtained by a grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Highway Safety Division, were a big hit with the youth who received them. Bicycle Officers Humber and Feliciano brought the helmets to both Village Park and Boulders apartment complexes and discussed with the children bicycle safety and how to properly wear the helmet.

In the photo, Officer Humber is properly fitting a young citizen with a new helmet.

Officer Noah Clock, First In Class

Chief Charles L. Scherpa announced the appointment of a new patrol officer to the Amherst Police Department. Noah A. Clock was appointed after an extensive selection process which included a written examination, citizen/staff interview panel, physical and psychological testing and interviews with the Chief of Police and Town Manager.

Officer Clock, 25, is the son of Jeff and Lis Clock of New Paltz, New York. He is a 2001 graduate of New Paltz High School and a 2005 Graduate of Springfield College where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Exercise Science. Clock graduated first in his class from the Massachusetts State Police Academy at New Braintree, S.P.M.A. #1. Officer Clock currently resides in Amherst, MA.

Lottery Scam Reported

The Amherst Police Department received notice of a lottery scam, and we are concerned that more residents may receive this scam mailing as well. The lottery scam was mailed to a resident of Amherst and it claimed to be from St. Jude Insurance, Inc. The scam stated that this Amherst resident won a national lottery for $150,000 and a check made out to the resident was also enclosed. The scam letter directed the resident to deposit the check and to send several thousand dollars to the “tax agent” to cover the taxes on the winnings. Please don’t fall for these scams as it is unlikely that you'd win a lottery and be notified by mail, email or phone. The people behind the scams are trying to get you to send them your money. If you receive a notice stating you won a lottery or are entitled to a large sum of money, please call us at 413-259-3000. Let us investigate and determine whether or not it is legitimate. Thankfully in this case the Amherst resident realized it was scam and did not send any money to these crooks.

Columbus Day Weekend Activity Report

Weekend Activity Report For Friday, October 10, 2008 through Monday, October 13, 2008

The Columbus Day holiday weekend is typically the first reprieve that the department has from the activity that comes with the beginning of the school year. As anyone who attempted to venture over the Coolidge Bridge this Friday will attest, there was a mass exodus from the Amherst area this weekend. Even with the depleted population, the department responded to, or initiated, 226 calls for service with 17 individuals being either arrested or issued a criminal summons for various charges.

A breakdown of these charges follows (some individuals face more than one charge):

Assault and Battery: 3
Criminal Harassment: 1
Forged/Altered License: 1
Identity Fraud: 1
Larceny Over $250: 1
Operating Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor: 2
Person Under 21 Possess Liquor: 3
Possess/Cultivate to Distribute a Class D Substance: 1
Possession of a Class D Substance: 3
TBL Open Container of Alcohol: 1
TBL Unlawful Noise: 4
Utter False Check: 1
Wanton Destruction of Property Over $250: 1
Wanton Destruction of Property Under $250: 1
Unlicensed Operation: 1

Toys for Tots Motorcycle Ride

The Amherst Police Department's motorcycle unit was once again involved in a ride for charity. On Sunday, October 12th, 2008, Officer Lang and Officer Lamoureux assisted in escorting more than 2,500 motorcycles from the Home Depot in Chicopee to Brightside in Holyoke. Each of the riders who participated donated a toy to Brightside that will be given to a child or family who might have otherwise gone without presents during the upcoming holiday season.

Weekend Activity

Over the weekend, Amherst Officers responded to 265 calls for service and they criminally charged or placed 33 persons into custody.

The primary offenses of those charged include:

Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol: 2 persons
Violation of the Noise By Law: 11 persons
Outstanding Warrant: 3 persons
Forgery: 1 person
Liquor Law Violations: 10 persons
Assault and Battery on a Police Officer: 2 persons
Protective Custody: 1 person
Motor Vehicle Violations: 1 person
Disorderly Person: 2 persons

School Bus Fatality - September 30, 2008

Yesterday morning, at 8:06 am, Amherst Officers responded to a report that a child had been struck by a school bus. A 2-year-old Amherst resident, who was with his mother and older sister, was pronounced dead at the scene. This accident is under investigation by the Amherst Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police. Any further comment will be handled by the Northwestern District Attorney's Office. They can be reached at 413-586-9225.

Weekend Activity

Over the weekend, between September 26th and September 29th, your Amherst Officers responded to 293 calls for service. Twenty-six people were either arrested or are being summonsed into court on the following charges:

Breaking and Entering: 1
Motor Vehicle Offenses: 4
Domestic Assault and Battery: 1
Noise Violation: 5
Liquor Law Violations: 12
Operating Motor Vehicle Under Influence: 2
Possession of Class D Substance (marijuana): 1