For Immediate Release

Monday, Oct. 16, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Office: 978-971-8101
Email: john@jgpr.net

West Newbury Police to Participate in National Drug Take Back Day

WEST NEWBURY — Chief Art Reed is pleased to announce that the West Newbury Police Department will participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day later this month.

On Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., officers will be on-hand at the West Newbury Police Department (401 Main St.) to collect unwanted prescription drugs from any resident wishing to dispose of their old, unwanted, or unneeded prescriptions. The event is completely free of charge for all.

“Every unwanted prescription left languishing in a medicine cabinet is another chance for drugs to end up in the wrong hands, accidentally or otherwise,” Chief Reed said. “The West Newbury Police Department is proud to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, and I encourage all residents to scour their homes and turn in their unneeded prescriptions.”

The Drug Take Back Day is a semi-annual event that is administered by the Drug Enforcement Administration. During the last event, on Saturday, April 29, the event brought in 900,386 pounds (450 tons) at close to 5,500 sites across the nation. 

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Initiative addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.

“Too often, unused prescription drugs find their way into the wrong hands. That’s dangerous and often tragic,” said Acting DEA Administrator Robert W. Patterson. “That’s why it was great to see thousands of folks from across the country clean out their medicine cabinets and turn in – safely and anonymously – a record amount of prescription drugs.”

The department will accept pills and patches, but cannot take liquids, needles or sharps. To arrange for the disposal of those items, contact the West Newbury Board of Health at 978-363-1109.

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For Immediate Release

Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

West Newbury Police and Fire Departments Respond to Fatal Single-VehicleCrash

WEST NEWBURY — Chief Art Reed and Chief Michael Dwyer report that the West Newbury Police and Fire Departments responded to a fatal single-vehicle crash last night.

On Saturday, Oct. 7, at approximately 10 p.m., West Newbury Public Safety Dispatch received a report of a single-vehicle crash in front of a home on Main Street (Route 113).

Upon arrival, police and firefighters observed that a Ford pickup truck had crashed into the stone wall of a residence in the area of 248 Main St. First responders began rendering first aid to the driver, a 64-year-old Groveland man.

The driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

While this incident remains under active investigation by the West Newbury Police and Fire Departments, a preliminary investigation indicates that the man may have suffered a medical incident prior to the crash.

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Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017

For Immediate Release

Contact: John Guilfoil
Office: 978-971-8101
Email: john@jgpr.net

West Newbury Police and Fire Departments Team Up with Massachusetts State Police to Donate to Hurricane Harvey Victims

WEST NEWBURY — Chief Art Reed and Chief Michael Dwyer are pleased to announce that the West Newbury Police and Fire Departments have partnered with Massachusetts State Police Troop A to help families of law enforcement officers who were affected by Hurricane Harvey.

West Newbury Police and Fire will be assisting MSP Troop A in Newbury with collecting toiletries, toys, and clean, gently used or new clothing for the families of first responders in Texas who were impacted by the storm.

Lt. Kevin Bibeau, commander of the MSP Andover Barracks, came up with the idea to collect items from department members assigned to his barracks. Once Troop A Major Pat Russolillo heard about the idea, he quickly expanded the program to include all six Troop A barracks, including State Police-Newbury under the command of Lt. Deborah Ryan.

“We are proud to help our partners at the State Police collect items for our brothers and sisters in need down in Texas,” Chief Reed said. “Any level of comfort that we can provide to these families of first responders who were affected by Hurricane Harvey will make a huge difference as they face the difficult road ahead.” 

“This catastrophic event has affected so many people including the families of first responders who work tirelessly to help others, and we want to do anything that we can to help them heal and rebuild,” Chief Dwyer said. “We encourage residents who can to please donate and help bring some hope to these people who have lost so much.”

Residents who wish to make a donation can drop off items at the following locations:

• West Newbury Police Station, 401 Main St.
• West Newbury Fire Station, 403 Main St.
• MSP Troop A Station A-2, 200 Scotland Road, Newbury

All MSP Troop A barracks are collecting items to donate to first responders in Houston. For a full list of locations, visit the MSP website.

Items will be shipped to Texas early next week.

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For Immediate Release

Monday, July 24, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Office: 978-971-8101
Email: john@jgpr.net

West Newbury Police to Host 2nd Annual Tri-Town National Night Out

WEST NEWBURY – Chief Art Reed is pleased to announce that the West Newbury Police Department is hosting the second annual Tri-Town National Night Out next month.

WHO:

The West Newbury, Merrimac and Groveland Police Departments, the West Newbury, Merrimac and Groveland Fire Departments and the Massachusetts State Police.

WHEN:

Tuesday, Aug. 1 from 5-8 p.m.

WHERE:

Pentucket Regional High School, 24 Main St., West Newbury

WHAT:

National Night Out is a campaign designed to promote partnerships between police and fire officials and their communities to foster relationships and improve safety in neighborhoods. It occurs the first Tuesday in August.

During the free event, residents can take a look inside police, fire and DPW vehicles, as well as tow trucks, and interact with the Massachusetts State Police Mounted Unit. Attendees can also enjoy music, cotton candy, a bouncy house, face painting, games, prizes and more.

“We are excited to be hosting this event for the second year together with police officers and firefighters from West Newbury, Merrimac and Groveland, and the State Police,” Chief Reed said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for residents to interact with first responders in a relaxed and fun environment, and we encourage members of all three communities to join us!”

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For Immediate Release

Monday, July 24, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Office: 978-971-8101
Email: john@jgpr.net

West Newbury Dispatcher to Run Falmouth Road Race to Benefit Boston Children’s Hospital

WEST NEWBURY – Chief Art Reed is pleased to announce that West Newbury Police Dispatcher Kelsey Grenham will be running the New Balance Falmouth Road Race next month in support of Boston Children’s Hospital.

Grenham, who is a Newburyport resident, hopes to raise $3,000 through the Miles for Miracles team by the time she runs the road race on Sunday, Aug. 20.

This is the second race that Grenham has run with the Miles for Miracles team. Last year, she ran in the New York City Marathon and felt motivated to run with them again after forming lasting relationships with patients and hospital staff through the hospital’s patient partner program.

“I love running with Miles for Miracles because I have the chance to get to know people who are successful because of the money we help raise for Boston Children’s,” Grenham said. “I would like to sincerely thank everyone at the West Newbury Police Department who have been so supportive and helped me raise money, especially to Sgt. Dan Cena and the Kenny Fowler Foundation, which made a large donation to my team.”

“We are all so proud of Dispatcher Grenham for her dedication to such a great cause and wish her luck during the race next month,” Chief Reed said.

Residents who wish to donate to Grenham’s Miles for Miracles fundraising campaign can do so here.

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For Immediate Release

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Office: 978-971-8101
Email: john@jgpr.net

Police and Fire Departments Issue Warning About New Snapchat “Snap Map” Feature

The following is a message from West Newbury Police Chief Arthur Reed, West Newbury Fire Chief Michael Dwyer, Salisbury Police Chief Thomas W. Fowler, Salisbury Fire Chief Richard Souliotis, Newburyport City Marshal Mark Murray, Newburyport Fire Chief Christopher LeClaire, Newbury Police Chief Michael A. Reilly, Newbury Fire Chief Douglas Janvrin, Merrimac Police Chief Eric M. Shears, Merrimac Fire Chief Ralph Spencer, Groveland Police Chief Jeffrey Gillen, Groveland Fire Chief Robert Lay, Georgetown Police Chief Donald C. Cudmore, and Georgetown Fire Chief Fred Mitchell. It is respectfully submitted for publication.

Local police and fire departments are teaming up to inform parents of a new feature on the Snapchat social networking tool that allows users, including children, to share their exact location with others on the mobile phone app.

The Snap Map feature is automatically included in the latest update of Snapchat, and it allows users to view the locations of their “friends” while they are active on the app. The feature also includes the ability for users to share their photos and videos publicly, even if their profiles are otherwise private.

The Snap Map’s tracking capability can be disabled by activating “Ghost Mode.”

Here is how to enable “Ghost Mode” and disable pinpoint GPS tracking:

• Pinch the screen on the main camera portion of the app.
• Once the map is activated, click on the icon in the upper righthand corner of the screen
• Press the slider next to the “Ghost Mode” label at the top of the menu

If left active, the Snap Map will pinpoint and display a user’s location whenever they are actively using the app, and will also display a person’s most recent known location.

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