Crime Reports

The Dartmouth Police department has begun using computerized tracking of crime to enable them to better allocate resources. The public can view a part of the data on a website called Crime Reports. That site can be accessed by clicking on the preceding link or go to the Dartmouth Police website, click on Forms & Reports on the menu at the top and click on Crime Reports in the pull down list.
The department has also partnered with the Plymouth County Sheriff and some 40 other cities and towns to implement an emergency notification system called The Communicator. The system allows the police and fire districts to call every phone in an area with emergency information. Cell phone users can sign up for the service as well. Land phones are automatically included. Cell users must sign up.

What do you think about that? Click here to read on!

Termpest in a teapot or category 5?

The Chief of Police has decided to add police patrols on the harbor. He has written a couple letters to the Select Board explaining the rationale and the effect on the police budget and manning. You can find them here and here.
For some reason, the Waterways Management Commission is concerned about the Chief's plan. Their letter to the Select Board is here. My reply to their letter can be found here.
My take is that the police are tasked with patrolling and preventing crime in the entire town. The Chief has said ...
What do you think?

... that there are crimes occurring in and around the waterfront. He believes he can accommodate these patrols within his available budget and manpower. I am reluctant to have the Select Board or anyone else, except the police department, make decisions on how to effectively police the town. While the Select Board are the police commissioners, it is the Chief of Police and his staff that should be making operational choices. It is my belief that injecting politics into police operations is not a wise course. Click here to read on!

Police seize suspected marijuana farm

Advisory Message has been issued by the Dartmouth Police Department.
Wednesday May 19, 2010 2:25 PM EDT
MAN CHARGED WITH CULTIVATION OF MARAIJUANA

On Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at approximately 1:10 P.M., Dartmouth Police received a phone tip of a suspicious male parked in the area of the Hope Evangelical Church, located at 88 Hathaway Rd. The tipster reported that this male was observed walking back and forth into the wooded area behind the church. The tipster stated that the male was holding something in his hand.
Plainclothes Dartmouth Police Officers, David Oikarinen and Derek Kenney were first to respond on scene. Officers Oikarinen and Kenney found this male, later identified as 26 year old Kenneth Dacamara from 30 Beech St. in Acushnet, walking from the rear of the vehicle (carrying a black bag with both arms) into the wood line. After the officers identified themselves to Dacamara, he fled into the wooded area ignoring police commands to stop. Additional units were called to assist including a K9 unit. Dacamara was apprehended a brief time later on Oakum St. without any struggle.
During the initial search, officers found a clearing in the wooded area approximately 400 yards back from the church parking lot. A small field was located with ten holes dug in the ground.
In the parking lot, officers found bags containing plants believed to be marijuana inside of Dacamara’s 2001 Volkswagen Jetta.
Dacamara faces charges of possession of marijuana and unlawful manufacturing, distribution, cultivation and dispensing of marijuana.
Dacamara will be arraigned in Third District Court on Wednesday.

For full details, go to https://local.nixle.com/alert/2233965/.

If you subcribe to Nixle, you can get these advisories automatically Click here to read on!

Police seek help with recent house breaks

From the Dartmouth Police via Nixle advisory service

Advisory Message has been issued by the Dartmouth Police Department.

Monday May 17, 2010 9:27 AM EDT

Rash of House Breaks in Dartmouth, Police Seek Help and Offer Valuable Safety/Preventative Tips

The Dartmouth Police Department is asking for the public’s help with a recent rash of house breaks. Several breaks have been reported since the end of April and police are asking town residents to be aware of any suspicious activity or strangers in their neighborhoods. Residents are encouraged to contact us with any license plate numbers, vehicle and person descriptions of anything they deem to be out of place. These pieces of information can be quite important to any police investigation.
Residents are encouraged to document serial and model numbers on high priced items. We also suggest that residents should photograph valuable items such as jewelry and keep these pictures in a hidden place or in a safe deposit box. This information could later assist law enforcement in the identification of these items if they are recovered.
Residents are reminded to call the tip line at 508-997-9900 or the Dartmouth Police Department’s Detective Division at 508-910-1775 with any information. This is part of an ongoing effort to devise innovative ways to further reduce criminal activity and nurture a partnership with the community. All tips (anonymous or not) are taken seriously and will be reviewed and followed up by the Dartmouth Police Dept.

Please call Det. Robert Levinson with any questions you may have – 508-910-1755

For full details, go to https://local.nixle.com/alert/2207037/.

Sign up for a Nixle account and you can receive this and other notices in your email Click here to read on!

Three police sargeants and Deputy Chief appointed

The Select Board promoted three patrolmen to sargeant at last night's meeting. The officers who were promoted were Frank Condez, Scott Lake and Paul Medeiros. The appointments are conditional upon successful completion of sargeants school. Congratulations to these fine officers.
Chief Lee also noted that the patrol force is in need of additional reinforcement in the supervisory ranks of sargeant. The Chief will be asking for additional promotions in the near future to bolster that contingent and for an administrative sargeant to assist with developing training, writing grants and gaining state and national certification for the department.
The Select Board also appointed Captain Gary Soares to the post of Deputy Chief on the recommendation of Chief Tim Lee. The appointment is subject to successful contract negotiations. Captain Soares served as interim Police Chief while a search was underway for our current chief, Chief Lee, and filled the role admirably.
As was explained last night, the funding for three more sargeants will come from funds asked for in FY 2011 ...

... to fill the captains position and from funds for a patrolman position or two that is vacant. An override provided funds for 7 new patrolmen but I think one failed to get through the academy or dropped out after.
In any case, the funds needed are the difference between a patrolman and sargeants pay, not an additional employee. The Police Chief has identified enough money in the budget to make these promotions without needing added funding in FY 2011. Some of the funds are freed up by not needing to fill supervisor positions using overtime.
The department and Select Board will have a formal ceremony on April 26th to present the newly promoted officers with their new ranks.
Click here to read on!

Bristol DA finds police shooting was justified

The Bristol County District Attorney's office has issued their report on the fatal shooting by Dartmouth Police on August 11, 2009. The DA found the shooting "was justified and lawful, and did not violate any General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts".
You can read the full report at this link.
This was a traumatic, tragic and unfortunate event for all involved and I hope this is another step toward closure. Thanks to DA Sutter's office for their thorough investigation and report.
I am turning off the comments for this post and ...

... would appreciate if you would refrain from commenting at other posts. I have posted the above report so that the public can have access to the full details.
A federal lawsuit has been filed in this case and is still pending.
Click here to read on!

Police regalia on full display for new Chief on Monday

The swearing in ceremony for our new Police Chief, Timothy Lee, will begin at 5:30PM on Monday at the Town Hall. The department is planning to have their color guard, an honor guard, and a bag piper on hand to escort the Chief. I have to admit ...

... I love bagpipes. There is a sound that comes from the pipes when they are warming up, a sort of hum, that connects to something in my Celtic ancestry. My mother's family was from Cork and my father's from Donegal. The new Chief is a piper himself.
The swearing in will be at 6:30 by Town Clerk, Lynn Medeiros, Captain Soares will be in hand to present the Chief his badge, and the Select Board members and Chief will have an opportunity to speak.
If you would like to come out to welcome our new Chief to the community, you are invited to attend. The ceremony should conclude by 7PM.
Click here to read on!

Emergency vehicle traffic automation to be investigated

The Select Board has asked that the Police Department investigate a system to automatically force traffic lights to change to a red signal in all directions except the one from which an emergency vehicle is approaching. This system is called a Emergency-Vehicle Preemption and Transit-Signal Priority system. Mr. Cressman has some knowledge of such a system from his time in Tewksbury and acting Chief Soares will look into the costs. The system would probably be employed on the traffic signals in the Route 6 corridor. Police cruisers, fire trucks, and ambulances would have a device that activates the traffic signals and would allow a faster and safer passage for emergency response vehicles and reduce the likelihood of crashes.
This sounds like an excellent idea to me ...

...and I will push for the installation.
You can read more about this kind of system at this link to roadtrffic-technology.com. The page is for a system by GTT but there are other manufacturer aswell.
Click here to read on!

Police respond to threat

I received this notice via NIXLE

DARTMOUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT--
THREATS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST DARTMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL

On Monday, March 1, 2010 at approximately 07:30 AM, Dartmouth Police School Resource Officer, Paul Arruda received a tip from a student regarding a threat of violence being made towards the student body at Dartmouth High School.

Officer Arruda was advised by this student, that a 17 year old New Bedford male, identified as Sean DeAlmeida from 397 Rivet Street, sent a threatening Instant Message via computer to a friend of his ex-girlfriend.

The threatening message allegedly sent by DeAlmeida stated that he was going to go to Dartmouth High School and shoot several people then commit suicide. It was stated that DeAlmeida was upset over a recent breakup with a girlfriend.

The student that provided the information stated that she is very familiar with DeAlmeida and believed that he would follow through with the threat. The student informed Officer Arruda that DeAlmeida has acted violently in the past and had access to a gun. School officials were immediately notified of this potential threat.

Immediately after Officer Arruda received this information, members from the Dartmouth Police Department’s Patrol and Detective Divisions promptly responded to the school and took proper security measures.

A brief time later, DeAlmeida was located at his Rivet Street home. DeAlmeida agreed to speak with the police ...

... and voluntarily came to the Dartmouth Police Department for questioning.

Detectives questioned DeAlmeida about the allegation being made against him. DeAlmeida stated to detectives that he was upset and did in fact write and send the Instant Message to his ex-girlfriend’s friend.

DeAlmeida was charged with threats causing evacuation or disruption of a school. DeAlmeida will be arraigned at Third District Court in the near future.

For full details, go to http://local.nixle.com/alert/1345577/
Click here to read on!

Dartmouth PD arrests bank robbery suspect

From a NIXLE alert:

UPDATE ON DARTMOUTH/NEW BEDFORD ROBBERY SUSPECT

ON MONDAY 02/22/10 AT APPROXIMATELY 05:30 PM, DETECTIVES FROM DARTMOUTH, NEW BEDFORD AND ACUSHNET POLICE DEPARTMENTS CONVERGED AT THE DARTMOUTH MOTOR INN ...

... AND PLACED 17 YEAR OLD CAITLIN INGHAM AND 21 YEAR OLD KRISTOPHER SANTILLO UNDER ARREST FOR A RASH OF BANK ROBBERIES THAT HAVE TRANSPIRED IN RECENT DAYS.

A THIRD PARTY, IDENTIFIED AS 18 YEAR OLD KENDRA SOL WAS DETAINED FOR QUESTIONING AND LATER RELEASED. DETECTIVES FROM THE THREE JURISDICTIONS RECEIVED RELIABLE TIPS THROUGHOUT THIS INVESTIGATION WHICH LED THEM TO THE SUSPECT’S LOCATION.

INGHAM AND SOL WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE DARTMOUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR PROCESSING. SANTILLO WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY ACUSHNET POLICE DETECTIVE JAMES COSTA FOR PROCESSING.

INGHAM WAS CHARGED BY THE DARTMOUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH ONE COUNT OF UNARMED ROBBERY FOR THE FEBRUARY 20TH ROBBERY THAT OCCURRED AT BRISTOL COUNTY SAVINGS BANK.

INGHAM WILL BE ARRAIGNED IN THIRD DISTRICT COURT IN NEW BEDFORD ON TUESDAY MORNING.

THIS INVESTIGATION IS ON-GOING AND ADDITIONAL CHARGES MAY BE PENDING.

DARTMOUTH POLICE DETECTIVE GEORGE PERRY AND NEW BEDFORD DETECTIVE ANDREW SIMMONS ARE INVESTIGATING THEIR RESPECTIVE CASES.

For full details, go to http://local.nixle.com/alert/1273800/
Click here to read on!

Parking ban in effect in Dartmouth

Nixle is a neat tool, try the link and check it out.

From the Police Department via Nixle

Community Message has been issued by the Dartmouth Police Department.

Wednesday February 10, 2010 00:15 AM EST
DARTMOUTH, MA PARKING BAN INFO FOR 2/10/10 - 2/11/10
***DARTMOUTH POLICE/DARTMOUTH DEPT. OF PUBLIC WORKS*** reminds you that a parking ban will be in effect on WEDNESDAY, 2/10/10, @ 12noon through THURSDAY, 2/11/10, @ 6PM.
For full details, go to http://local.nixle.com/alert/1130151/

Contact Information:
DARTMOUTH POLICE
508-910-1700

And here is the rest.
Click here to read on!

Select Board chooses Captain Lee

The Select Board voted unanimously to appoint Providence Police Captain Timothy Lee as the new Dartmouth Police Chief contingent upon successfully reaching agreement on contract terms and a background check.
Congratulations to Captain Lee. I look forward to working with you.

I believe that the two candidates that we interviewed are exemplary law enforcement officers. My preference between the two is Captain Lee from Providence, although I am convinced that Chief Miller would also do a great job. The local knowledge and relationships that Captain Lee already has with police departments in the area was the determining factor in my choice.
Click here to read on!

Police Chief interview rebroadcast schedule

The February 4, 2010 Select Board Meeting will replay on

Friday February 5th at 7pm and
Saturday February 6th at 4pm and
Sunday February7th at 4pm

Peter
Dartmouth Community Television

This is the meeting where Police Chief candidates were interviewed
Click here to read on!

Select Board interviews Police Chief candidates

This afternoon, the Select Board interviewed two highly qualified and impressive candidates for the Police Chief position. The two candidates were narrowed down from 86 applicants. The Board met in executive session prior to the interviews to hear the report of Municipal Resources, the firm that was tasked with identifying and winnowing down the field. After hearing their recommendations the Board decided to interview the top two candidates out of the six who participated in an assessment center exercise the day before.
The first candidate interviewed was Captain Timothy Lee of the Providence RI Police Department. Captain Lee lives in Rehoboth, MA. Captain Lee currently serves as training officer for Providence. He is also the Civilian Complaint Hearing Officer. I was quite impressed with the breadth of Captain Lee's experience, his knowledge and associations with local departments including the UMass Dartmouth force, Sheriff's office and New Bedford and Fall River departments.
The second candidate was Chief Todd Miller of Texas. Captain Miller ...

... has been a Police Chief since 1976, mostly in the upper Midwest. He served as Chief in Terrel, Texas since 2003. Chief Miller was also an impressive candidate and has extensive credentials in his education, in forging alliances with many stakeholders in community policing, and in leading regional efforts in policing. He also has extensive contacts in the area through his work in promoting community policing.
After interviewing each candidate for more than an hour, the Board decided to think about which to appoint and return on our regular meeting on Monday, February 8 to deliberate and decide on a new Police Chief.
The interviews today were broadcast on DCTV Channel 18 and I hope that the taped program is shown again over the next few days. I don't see it on the schedule but I plan to call and ask for it to be added.
I am interested in what others think after seeing the candidates interviews. Let me know in comments.


Click here to read on!

Whew! Quite a week! Town Meeting warrant and other things

Although I do not support his politics, I want to congratulate our new Senator Scott Brown. I hope that he will represent the Commonwealth well in the Senate. I believe that most of his constituents are pro-choice, in favor of equal marriage rights for everyone, against foreign wars, and want to see universal health care enacted. I don't think Senator Brown will advocate for any of those goals. But that is what the residents voted for so perhaps I am mistaken. If you look over the comments on this blog you can see why the parties can't work together. It is possible to have a difference of opinion on policy and not have to demonize the other side. I blame talk radio and the media for fostering this divisiveness. Just listen to Limbaugh or Back. They don't disagree with the president's policies, they attack his patriotism.
Awful, awful stuff.Makes for good entertainment but leaves no room to work together.

The Standard Times reported that my colleague on the Select Board, Mr. Michaud, is planning a run for the State House after running for Select Baord this spring. I have great respect for Mr. Michaud and think he would be a good state rep. Trouble is he would caucus with the tiny Republican contingent. That means that his point of view can be neglected by those with the levers of power, the House Speaker and Senate President. To bad it is that way but it is the reality of the situation.

We are fast approaching the Special Town Meeting that will vote on funding wind turbines, a Padanaram Village bylaw, and adopting a section of Massachusetts General Law that requires retirees to join Medicare. The warrant for the meeting is at this link. There is a presentation from the residents who oppose the turbines circulating and I will post it here when I have a chance.

On February 4th, the selection process for a new Police Chief will be drawing to a close with Select Board interviews of a few finalists. A recruitment firm, Municipal Resources, has been winnowing down the applicants ...

... from the more than 50 who applied. The remaining candidates will be narrowed down through an assessment that will take place the day before with Municipal Resources. I don't know when the Select Board will make their choice. My preference would be to do it that day or by the following Monday, February 8th, at the latest.

The search for a new Director of Budget and Finance is also nearing completion and the field has been narrowed to a few candidates by that committee. The candidates for that job should be coming before the Select Board soon as well.
Click here to read on!

Police Department leadership

Curt Brown has a blog post here with a letter from the Police Brotherhood union on promotions. Curt has an additional blog post here about the promotions
There have been a couple of comments asking about the interim promotions which were discussed in executive session. The Select Board did not vote in open session to make the appointments because the Police Department leadership has the authority to make those interim promotions without action by the Select Board. Captain Soares did present the interim appointments as a plan to the Select Board in executive session before inquiring of affected individuals if they were willing to step up. I think that is an entirely appropriate use ...

... of executive session under Chapter 39 section 23B of Massachusetts General Law under subsection (3) or (8). The Select Board agreed with the plan and the police officers were asked.
The Select Board has a public discussion and vote on the interim plan on our agenda for our next meeting. There was no opposition to the proposed interim appointments.
Click here to read on!

Police Chief retiring

Police Chief Mark Pacheco will be retiring on January 11, 2010. The Chief is an exemplary public servant and a very effective administrator. I have great respect and admiration for the job he does. Thank you for your many years of service to the department and the town.
The Select Board had been searching for a Deputy Police Chief with the expectation that the Deputy could work alongside the Chief for a year or so before being called upon to assume the Chief's job. The Chief's retirement in January changes things from my perspective and I would advocate that we start a new search for the Chief's position rather than a Deputy Chief.

As with the Deputy Police Chief, I think the search should include those within and outside the department.
Click here to read on!

Operation Yellow Blitz

Dartmouth police and the Registry of Motor Vehicles are targeting drivers who pass school busses with their red lights flashing. Curt Brown's blog post about the project can be found here.

For the kid's sake, don't pass a bus with the lights flashing.
Click here to read on!

Police department employs web and cell notification system

You can receive email or cell phone notifications about community alerts and advisories from the Dartmouth Police Department by going to the Nixle website and registering as a subscriber. Just put in your information and it will automatically send you the updates as they are entered.

Another example of the innovative use of technology. Should other departments use this service too? What do you think? Is it an effective tool?
Click here to read on!

Lawsuit filed in Dartmouth fatal shooting

The Standard Times article about the suit is at this link.
This is a tragic situation for everyone involved in my view.
The investigation into the circumstances by the District attorney is incomplete and now with this federal suit, it is not appropriate for the town or myself to comment on what happened.
I am taking the rare step of disabling comments to this post ...

... and I ask readers to refrain from commenting elsewhere. Let the facts come out and please be sensitive to all parties involved. Thanks.
Click here to read on!