Please Dial 911 For Emergencies Only

The Amherst Public Safety Communications Center would like to remind citizens that 911 is the number to call for immediate help from the Amherst Police or Fire Department including emergency medical service.

For non-emergency calls, including noise complaints, reports of stray or lost dogs, or to follow-up on an on-going case, the department's business line is 413-259-3000.

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Click here for a list of other important town phone numbers and extensions including the Town Hall and Department of Public Works.

Bicyclist Fatality

On May 25, 2009, at approximately 10:30 am, Officers from the Amherst Police Department responded to University Drive, in Amherst, for the report of a motor vehicle accident. Responding Officers learned that the accident involved a vehicle that struck a bicyclist. Specifics regarding the accident are not being released pending the completion of the investigation.

The bicyclist was transported to Cooley Dickinson Hospital where she was pronounced dead. The victim is a 34-year-old Amherst woman. Her identity is not being released pending notification of next of kin.

The matter remains under investigation by the Amherst Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police Reconstruction Team. No arrests have been made at this time.

Click It or Ticket

The advice is basic: buckle up or pay the price, yet more than 30 percent of Massachusetts drivers still fail to buckle up according to the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS). In our continued effort to increase seat belt use, the Amherst Police Department joins more than 230 other Massachusetts police departments and the Massachusetts State Police in support of the spring 2009 Click It or Ticket mobilization. This statewide effort runs through May 31 and combines extra, high visibility traffic enforcement, public information, and community outreach to reduce motor vehicle-related fatalities, injuries and economic loss.

For the spring Click It or Ticket mobilization, the EOPSS has provided $994,000 in federal highway safety funds. Since its first Click It or Ticket mobilization in 2002, Massachusetts has seen its seat belt use increase from 16% to 67% in 2008. However, Massachusetts still lags behind the 2008 national seat belt use rate of 83% and has the lowest belt use in the country.

During this mobilization, all police departments will encourage compliance with the state seat belt laws across the Commonwealth. For more information, go to www.mass.gov/highwaysafety.

MADD Drive for Life Law Enforcement Award

On May 13, 2009, Amherst Police Officers Dominick A. Corsetti and Scott E. Gallagher were recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving for their dedicated enforcement of the Commonwealth's drunk driving laws.

The most frequently committed violent crime in the United States is drunk driving which affects 3 out of every 10 Americans. In 2007, 146 people in the Commonwealth were killed in drunk driving accidents, representing 35% of all traffic fatalities in Massachusetts. This year MADD honored 113 police officers and state troopers who made over 2,155 drunk driving arrests in 2008. This averaged out to approximately 6 drunk driving arrests daily. These officers demonstrated their commitment to ensuring the safety of our roadways by diligently pursuing drunk drivers.

Officers Corsetti and Gallagher were the recipients of MADD’s Drive for Life Law Enforcement Award. This award was presented to selected police officers from across the state for their excellence and leadership in the enforcement of Drunk Driving Laws. The ceremony honoring the officers was held at the Devens Common Center in Devens, MA.

Together, Officers Corsetti and Gallagher made 42 of the Amherst Police Department’s 117 OUI arrests in 2008. This high number of arrests demonstrates their commitment to enforcing drunk driving and other Massachusetts alcohol-related offenses.

For further information, please contact Sergeant William N. Menard or go to The Mothers Against Drunk Driving website.

Weekend Activity Report 5/8/09 - 5/10/09

This past weekend, Amherst Police Officers responded to 254 calls for service, and 51 individuals were either arrested or will be summonsed into court on criminal charges.

The primary offenses for those arrested include:
Assault and Battery on a Police Officer - 1 person
Possession of Alcohol Under 21 - 32 persons
Breaking and Entering - 1 person
Operation of a MV with Suspended License - 1 person
Warrant - 1 person
Operation Under the Influence of Alcohol (OUI) - 2 persons
Operation of a MV with a Suspended Registration - 1 person
Town By-Law Unlawful Noise - 7 persons
Town By-Law Open Container of Alcohol - 2 persons
Assault and Battery - 3 persons

Amherst Police Applying for Funding

The Amherst Police Department will be applying for a $40,415.00 grant from the United States Bureau of Justice. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Formula Program provides funding to law enforcement agencies to improve their programs and technology. The Amherst Police Department intends to use this grant funding for the following:
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1. Installation of a radio repeater needed for the Belchertown Road area to allow for improved radio operability in this area.
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2. Purchase of mobile data terminals for installation in cruisers.
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3. Funding for the community policing programs that were previously funded by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Community Policing Grant program, as this grant program will no longer be funded as of FY2010. Programs that will be funded include: Child Passenger Safety Seat Inspections, Seniors And Law Enforcement (SALT) Programs, Traffic Safety Initiatives, Community Enhancement Through Community Services Program, Child Safety Programs, and the Adventure Based Ropes Course Educational Program.
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Citizens that wish to comment on this funding opportunity may contact Lt. Jennifer Gundersen either via email or by telephone at 413-259-3012. For more information on the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Formula Program, please visit the United States Bureau of Justice website at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/.

Meet Officer Gutierrez and Officer Rodriguez

Chief Charles L. Scherpa announced the appointment of two new patrol officers to the Amherst Police Department. Carlos M. Gutierrez, pictured right and Antonio Rodriguez, pictured left, were appointed after an extensive selection process.
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Carlos M. Gutierrez, 30, is the son of Miguel and Reina Gutierrez of North Adams, Massachusetts. He is a 1998 graduate of Charles H. McCann Technical High School, in North Adams. Mr. Gutierrez enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1998 and concluded his active duty status in 2002. He is a 2006 graduate of Southern Vermont College, in Bennington, Vermont, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. Mr. Gutierrez joined the Massachusetts Army National Guard in May of 2006, and he was deployed to Iraq in 2007. In Iraq, he worked with the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad providing personal security details and convoy security for embassy personnel and the United States Ambassador for Iraq. Mr. Gutierrez returned to the United States in 2008 and is still in reserve status with the Massachusetts Army National Guard. He graduated from the 44th Municipal Police Officers Training Academy in Springfield on March 19, 2009. Prior to becoming an Officer in Amherst, Mr. Gutierrez was a Case Manager for the Center For Restorative Justice in Bennington, Vermont. He currently resides in Sunderland, Massachusetts.
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Antonio Rodriguez Figueroa, 32, is the son of Antonio Rodriguez Almodovar and Olga I. Figueroa of Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. He is a 1995 graduate of Pedro Falu Orellano High School, in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. Mr. Rodriguez Figueroa is a 2001 graduate of Colegio De Justicia Criminal, in Gurabo, Puerto Rico, where he graduated from the Police Academy. In addition, he also obtained his Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. He graduated in 2008 from the Universidad del Este, in Carolina, Puerto Rico where he obtained his Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice. Prior to becoming an Officer in Amherst, Mr. Rodriguez Figueroa was a Police Officer with the Puerto Rico Police Department in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. Mr. Rodriguez Figueroa resides in Westfield with his wife Kathy and their two daughters, Lina and Kharynna.

Amherst Police Dept. Youth Fishing Derby

Chief of Police Charles L. Scherpa is pleased to announce that the Amherst Police Department will be sponsoring its annual Youth Fishing Derby on Saturday, May 30, 2009, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. This event will be held at the Mill Street entrance of Puffers Pond. The Youth Fishing Derby is a great event, which in the past has been very well-attended by young fishers in the community, and it is an excellent way for the youth of Amherst to meet Amherst Police Officers in a fun, social setting. The Youth Fishing Derby is open to children ages 12 and under who are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Prizes will be awarded for the winners in various categories. The Amherst Police Department will provide the bait and soda - children will only need to bring their fishing poles. The Fishing Derby is held rain or shine, and no pre-registration is required for this community-wide event. Come out for a day of fun!

Please contact Sergeant David Knightly at 413-259-3274 if you have any questions about this event, or email him at knightlyd@amherstma.gov.