About Benjamin Paulin

Benjamin Paulin is JGPR's Account Manager for Southern New England. Based in our Braintree, Massachusetts office, Ben oversees Rhode Island, Connecticut, and southeastern Massachusetts, including Norfolk, Plymouth, Bristol, Dukes, and Barnstable Counties.

Posts by Benjamin Paulin:

Middleborough Police Charge Private School Staff Member with Sexually Assaulting Cognitively Disabled Adult Student

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Middleborough Police Department
Joseph Perkins, Chief of Police
350 Wood St.
Middleborough, MA 02346

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3922
Email: [email protected]

Middleborough Police Charge Private School Staff Member with Sexually Assaulting Cognitively Disabled Adult Student

MIDDLEBOROUGH — Chief Joseph Perkins reports that the Middleborough Police Department has charged an employee at the Chamberlain International School with raping and sexually assaulting an adult student who is cognitively disabled.

Police have applied for and received an arrest warrant, charging PHILLIP HOUTMAN, AGE 28, OF NEW BEDFORD with:

  • Indecent Assault and Battery on a Person with an Intellectual Disability (Two Counts)
  • Rape
  • Assault to Rape
  • Open and Gross Lewdness

Chief Perkins is strongly suggesting that HOUTMAN turn himself in to police, and the Middleborough Police Department is asking anyone who may see HOUTMAN or have knowledge of his whereabouts to call the police department as soon as possible.

On Sept. 30, Middleborough Police were notified of an allegation about HOUTMAN, who allegedly sexually assaulted a 19-year-old student at the school.

The Chamberlain International School is a private boarding and day school that serves students ages 11-22 who have cognitive and developmental disorders and disabilities.

HOUTMAN is an overnight staff member at the school and has worked there for less than a year, according to school administrators.

Anyone with information about HOUTMAN’S whereabouts is asked to call the Middleborough Police at 508-947-1212.

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

 

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East Bridgewater Police Accepting Applicants for Crossing Guard Position

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East Bridgewater Police Department
Scott Allen, Chief of Police
153 Central St.
East Bridgewater, MA 02333

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

East Bridgewater Police Accepting Applicants for Crossing Guard Position

EAST BRIDGEWATER — Chief Scott Allen is pleased to announce that the East Bridgewater Police Department is currently accepting applications for a part-time school crossing guard position.

The department seeks adult candidates of all backgrounds and training and equipment will be provided.

The position will be split into two shifts, from 8-9:30 a.m. and from 2-3:30 p.m. on regular school days, Monday through Friday. The schedule will vary at times with the East Bridgewater Public Schools calendar, and crossing guards are expected adjust their schedules on early release days.

Crossing guards are also expected to do their duties in inclement weather, including rain, cold and snow.

The primary responsibility of an adult school crossing guard is to help children safely cross the street as they walk or bicycle to and from school. This particular position will be in the center of town and the crossing guard will be able to stop traffic by pushing the crossing button at the traffic light. Please note, crossing guards do not direct traffic themselves.

The job pays $12.24 per hour. There will be a training period and EBPD is seeking to fill the position as soon as possible. All job candidates will be subject to a background check.

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and resume to East Bridgewater Police Sgt. Bill Patterson at [email protected]

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A Statement from Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Kathleen Bodie and Principal Brian Meringer

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Retained by the Town of Arlington Health and Human Services Department

Arlington Public Schools
Superintendent Kathleen Bodie
869 Massachusetts Ave.
Arlington, MA 02474

For Immediate Release

Monday, Oct. 7, 2019

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

A Statement from Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Kathleen Bodie and Principal Brian Meringer

ARLINGTON — The following is an update from Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Kathleen Bodie and Ottoson Middle School Principal Brian Meringer on the anti-Semitic graffiti and meme that was found in a bathroom at the middle school on Friday, Oct. 4.

Please note, the district will not be releasing information about the students that have been found responsible and the consequences they will be facing.

“Parents were notified by Ottoson school administrators on Friday, Oct. 4, along with Arlington Police and the Arlington Human Rights Commission, about anti-Semitic graffiti found in a bathroom at the Ottoson Middle School.

In response to the graffiti, several steps have been taken to speak to students about the incident and the ramifications that hate speech can have.

On Monday morning, seventh grade students met in the gym during their ASPIRE class and were told about Friday’s events. School leadership emphasized to the seventh grade that hate speech is not tolerated at the Arlington Public Schools or elsewhere.

It was also emphasized to students that every member of our school community has a right to be safe from derogatory remarks about race, religion and/or sexual preference and gender identity. Eighth grade students will be meeting with administrators on Tuesday, Oct. 8, regarding the incident and will receive the same information.

The school will be showing videos of how groups have responded to hate speech later in the week.

We want to stress that middle school students make mistakes. Our obligation is to help them learn from this incident. However, middle school educators also worry about future incidents. It is not uncommon for middle school students to copycat actions that warrant a response in order to get attention.

Nationally, hate crimes are on the rise and students often mirror what they see and hear outside of school. We have attached a report from the Anti-Defamation League that speaks to the increase of hate crimes. We encourage parents to have a conversation with their children about the impact of hate speech of any kind.

Finally, we will continue to strive to be a more inclusive and accepting school community.

Last year, Ottoson School administrators invited Dr. Carlos Hoyt to talk to eighth grade students about the use of the ‘n-word’ before reading To Kill a Mockingbird. The school also hosted a ‘No Place for Hate’ soccer clinic run by the Chelsea Football Club, which combined soccer with classroom sessions on the dangers of anti-Semitism. A group of middle school students were empowered to raise money to paint a gender-neutral bathroom with the hope of preventing graffiti. This summer, school and district officials met with the Arlington Police and the Human Rights Commission to document procedures to respond to hate speech and bias.

At the school and district level, we are continuing our professional development on cultural competency, and examining our curriculum for opportunities to teach our students about inclusive behavior.

We look toward moving forward from this incident through teaching, tolerance and understanding.”

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A Statement from King Philip Superintendent Paul Zinni and Wrentham Police Chief William McGrath

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Monday, Oct. 7, 2019

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

A Statement from King Philip Superintendent Paul Zinni and Wrentham Police Chief William McGrath

WRENTHAM — King Philip Regional School District Superintendent Paul Zinni and Wrentham Police Chief William McGrath would like to issue the following statement regarding this week’s homecoming varsity football game:

“It has come to our attention that at the Friday night, Oct. 4, varsity football game between King Philip and Mansfield, several King Philip students in the student seating section exhibited poor sportsmanship and behavior that violates local laws and the student handbook, including underage drinking.

Some of the students were acting unruly and chanting vulgarities toward the opponents and their fans. When a KPHS staff member tried to go intervene and speak to a particular student, a group of students shouted obscenities at the staff member. In addition, the staff member was unable to walk up the stands because of overcrowding and people sitting on the bleacher stairs.

Following the game, empty alcohol containers were found where the students had been sitting.

Superintendent Zinni and Chief McGrath would like to notify the community that this type of behavior is not acceptable and can put students and others at risk.

Therefore, at this week’s homecoming game against Attleboro High School, there will be an increased police presence along with additional school staff. They will be monitoring the stands for the illegal consumption of alcohol.

Any student found in possession or under the influence of alcohol may be subject to legal and administrative consequences. Please note, as part of the student handbook, school administrators can breathalyze any student at a school event when they suspect that they may be under the influence of alcohol.

As a safety reminder, the stairs on the bleachers must remain clear at all times. This will also be strictly enforced at Friday’s game to ensure safety, along with seating capacities.

As everyone knows, Warrior pride runs deep throughout the Tri-Town area. Rooting for KP and having fun at the football games is something we all look forward to. But the behavior of the students at last week’s game was unacceptable and unsafe. It is our job to ensure that all KP activities and events are safe and enjoyable for all who attend.”

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