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:

Stoughton Elementary School Deemed Safe After Brief Shelter in Place

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Stoughton Public Schools
Superintendent Marguerite Rizzi
232 Pearl St.,
Stoughton, MA 02072

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018

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

Stoughton Elementary School Deemed Safe After Brief Shelter in Place

 Unknown Man Mistakenly Entered School

STOUGHTON — Superintendent Marguerite Rizzi reports that the Stoughton Police Department has determined that there was no threat at the Wilkins Elementary School Wednesday morning after an unknown man walked into the school looking for a driving school.

At approximately 8 a.m., officials at Wilkins Elementary School notified the Stoughton Police Department that an unknown man had entered the building without their knowledge and it was unclear if he was still in the school or not.

The man had asked a school staff member if a driving school was located inside the school building but then walked away. Out of an abundance of caution, officials ordered the school to shelter in place.

Police responded and searched the school and were unable to locate the man. An on-scene investigation determined that the man walked out of the school shortly after the initial contact with the staff member. The man did not make any threats, and at this time, officials believe he simply was mistaken.

The Stoughton Police will have an increased presence at the school for the remainder of the day, as a precaution.

“While this appears to be a misunderstanding and miscommunication, we can never be too cautious these days,” Superintendent Rizzi said. “We are thankful to the Stoughton Police Department for their quick response and professionalism.”

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Winthrop School Resource Officer Selected for International Training Program

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Winthrop Police Department
Chief Terence M. Delehanty
3 Metcalf Square
Winthrop, MA 02152

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Winthrop School Resource Officer Selected for International Training Program

SRO Dawne Armitstead to Travel to UK for Training

WINTHROP — Chief Terence M. Delehanty reports that Winthrop Police Department School Resource Officer Dawne Armitstead has been selected to take part in an international training program hosted by the Rotary Club.

SRO Armitstead, three other Massachusetts SROs and a Rotarian Leader will travel to Kent, United Kingdom, in the southeast part of England, in May as part of a Rotary Club vocational training program.

The team will participate in training courses in a variety of topics with members of U.K. law enforcement and will be engaging in educational tactical hands-on training exercises.

The 15-day trip to Kent will take place from May 10-25. The trip and training program is fully funded by the Rotary Foundation Global Fund.

“Dawne does a great job in our schools and I am confident that after taking part in a training program like this, she will come back with even more skills and expertise to help her in her role,” Chief Delehanty said.

The three other local SROs participating in the program are Megan Tierney of Newburyport PD, Dan Perenick of Winchester PD and Paul Lucci of North Reading PD.

As part of the training exchange, the Massachusetts SROs will teach their British counterparts in several categories including:

  • Community-Based Justice
  • Mental Health First Aid
  • School Security
  • Vaping/Juul Education
  • Strategic Prevention Framework

The group will be trained in the following categories:

  • Substance Use Prevention
  • Substance Use Treatment and Intervention
  • Mental Health
  • School Safety
  • Threat Assessment

“This is a great opportunity to travel abroad and see how police in other parts of the world approach their job and training methods. Policing is policing but we all come from different cultures and backgrounds, so it’s exciting,” SRO Armitstead said. “I am extremely thankful to have been selected to participate and I am very much looking forward to it.”

In the weeks and months prior to the trip, the SROs will be working together with their local Rotary Club representatives to make preparations and meet as a group.

 

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Newport Police Charge Man in $48,000 Fraud Case

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Newport Police Department
Chief Seth C. DiSanto
222 Main St.
Newport VT 05855

newport-vt-patchFor Immediate Release

Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018

News Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Newport Police Charge Man in $48,000 Fraud Case

NEWPORT, VERMONT — Chief Seth DiSanto reports that the Newport Police Department has charged a man with allegedly stealing more than $48,000 from an elderly woman over a period of four years after gaining power of attorney of her affairs.

ERIC BRIGHAM, AGE 52, of WILLIAMSTOWN, was charged with one count of Financial Exploitation. On Dec. 5, he was issued a summons to appear in Orleans District Court on Jan. 15.

On Oct. 29, a private investigator working for an 84-year-old woman notified police that her relative, BRIGHAM, had been taking advantage of her by abusing his power of attorney.

An investigation was launched and police discovered that BRIGHAM had been given power of attorney of the woman’s affairs in June 2014. In December of 2014, BRIGHAM allegedly began writing checks out of the victim’s account without her permission and in February 2015, he obtained checks that had both his name and the victim’s name on them under her account.

Through the subsequent investigation, reviewing bank statements and checks written out by BRIGHAM, police discovered that he used checks and a debit card to withdraw thousands of dollars in funds from the victim’s bank accounts on a regular basis over four years.

With the money, he allegedly purchased an all-terrain vehicle trailer, an enclosed trailer, custom picture frames, furniture and had work done on his Audi sedan. In numerous other instances he wrote out checks to himself for cash or wrote them out under the victim’s name, but rarely gave the victim any of her own money and rarely visited her in the nursing home.

It was also determined that after the victim had moved from her home into the nursing home, BRIGHAM either sold or threw out nearly all of her personal belongings and possessions, rather than putting them in storage and kept the money for himself.

In total, BRIGHAM is believed to have stolen $48,149.11 from the victim and left her with several delinquent credit card bills and more than $20,000 in debt to her nursing home.

“I want to credit Officer Nicholas Rivers who investigated this complex case and was able to determine the extent of Mr. Brigham’s alleged fraud and deceit against his own relative,” Chief DiSanto said. “Fortunately, Officer Rivers was able to follow the paper trail left by the suspect which gave us the evidence we needed to charge him.”

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

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Easton Fire Department Provides Cold Weather Safety Tips

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Easton Fire Department
Kevin Patridge, Fire Chief
413 Bay Road
South Easton, MA 02375

For Immediate Release

Monday, Dec. 10, 2018

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

Easton Fire Department Provides Cold Weather Safety Tips

EASTON — Fire Chief Kevin Partridge would like to provide the community with several important tips to stay safe and warm as temperatures continue to drop this winter.

“Now is the time of year when people use their space heaters, fire places and other heating sources to heat their homes,” Chief Partridge said. “Please be sure to always have a fire extinguisher in your home and don’t keep it right next to the fire place. Keep it in a place where you will be able to safely access it should a fire occur.”

To stay safe, follow these tips from the Easton Fire Department and Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA):

  • If outside, dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing instead of a single heavy layer. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent. Wear a hat, mittens (not gloves) and sturdy waterproof boots to protect your extremities. Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.
  • For your car, check your antifreeze, battery, defroster, windshield wipers, wiper fluid and other vehicle equipment to make sure they are ready for winter driving.
  • Ensure you have sufficient heating fuel, as well as alternate emergency heating equipment in case you lose electricity. There are many resources available for low-income residents who meet certain requirements. National Grid offers discounted rates on services to those who are eligible. The state’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program can help certain households pay for a portion of their heating bills.
  • When utilizing alternate heating sources, such as an emergency generator, your fireplace, wood stove, or space heater, take necessary safety precautions:
    -Keep a fire extinguisher handy and ensure everyone knows how to use it properly.
    -Never heat your home with a gas stove or oven or charcoal barbecue grill.
    -Be sure to have your wood stove, fireplace and heating system serviced once a year as part of its regular maintenance schedule.
    -For space heaters, keep a three-foot circle of safety around the heater at all times. Do not have anything blocking the heater.
    -Never leave candles unattended and keep them in a place where they cannot be knocked down or blown over.
    -Make sure all heating devices are properly ventilated and always operate a generator outdoors and away from your home. Improper heating devices can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide buildup in the home.
    –Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause flu-like illness or death. If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, call 911 immediately, get the victim to fresh air and open windows.
  • Check on your elderly neighbors or any neighbors that may live alone.
  • For pet owners unsure of what protections their pets need during cold weather, the Humane Society provides the following tips for keeping animals safe:
    -Keep pets sheltered and inside. Cats should never be left outdoors in cold weather, even if they roam outside during other seasons. Dogs should be taken out frequently for walks and exercise, but kept inside the rest of the time.
    -Bundle up dogs, especially short-haired dogs, with protective gear, such as sweaters and boots, to avoid the risks of frostbite and hypothermia from exposed skin and paws.

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