Chief Scott Allen

East Bridgewater Police Investigating Business that Allegedly Sold Nicotine Products to Minors

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

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018

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

East Bridgewater Police Investigating Business that Allegedly Sold Nicotine Products to Minors

EAST BRIDGEWATER — Chief Scott Allen reports that the East Bridgewater Police Department is investigating a business in town after the owner allegedly sold nicotine products to minors during a compliance check last week.

Within the past several months, East Bridgewater Police have received several complaints about nicotine, e-cigarette and vaping products allegedly being sold to minors at Vape Solutions, 687 North Bedford St.

In response to the citizen complaints, last week the East Bridgewater Police Department set up an operation similar to compliance checks for businesses with liquor licenses.

On Friday, Dec. 14, three minors were sent into the store and were able to purchase a box of Juul Pods for $15 from the clerk, who is also the business owner. The owner allegedly did not ask for identification from any of the teens and sold them the product.

An East Bridgewater Police officer waiting outside of the business then took the product from the teens and went into the store to speak with the owner.

While the incident remains under investigation, criminal charges will be filed from the East Bridgewater Police Department and further action is being reviewed by town officials against the business.

“We have heard from concerned parents and school officials in the Bridgewaters and Whitman area that this store was allegedly the place for kids to buy tobacco and nicotine products without being asked for identification,” Chief Allen said. “Following the compliance check last week we will continue to investigate this matter and charges will be filed.”

The issue of vaping is a priority of the town’s school-police coalition, which recently announced a campaign, in concert with EB HOPE, against vaping, bullying, drug abuse and school violence called the One Voice Campaign. The nationwide rate of vaping and e-cigarette use among high school students has been rising sharply over the past two years, according to federal health officials. In January, the legal age for purchasing tobacco, nicotine and vaping products in Massachusetts will be raised from age 18 to 21.

East Bridgewater Police encourage anyone with information about locations that sell vaping devices, Juuls, nicotine products, or tobacco products including cigarettes to under-aged youths to contact the department’s Detective Division at 508-378-7223.

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

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East Bridgewater Police Donate Money Raised from Participating in Pink Patch Project

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

For Immediate Release

Friday, Nov. 30, 2018

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

East Bridgewater Police Donate Money Raised from Participating in Pink Patch Project

EAST BRIDGEWATER — Chief Scott Allen is pleased to announce that the East Bridgewater Police Department raised nearly $700 for breast cancer research while participating in the Pink Patch Project during the month of October.

On Wednesday, East Bridgewater Police Sgt. Michael McLaughlin and Officer Michael Randall presented a check for $695 to the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cancer Center.

Throughout the month of October, East Bridgewater Police sold 40 pink versions of the department’s uniform patch for $10 apiece out of the station lobby, raising $400. They also raised $295 through an online fundraising page provided by MGH.

“I was happy to see so many people coming into the station to buy our pink patches last month,” Chief Allen said. “Breast cancer is something that greatly impacts so many of us in one way or another. Anything we can do to contribute to finding a cure is something that we are proud to be a part of.”

Originating in southern California, the Pink Patch Project is a collaborative effort between public safety agencies throughout the country designed to bring attention to the fight against breast cancer and to support cancer research organizations.

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East Bridgewater Police Officers Complete School Resource Training Program

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

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018

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

East Bridgewater Police Officers Complete School Resource Training Program

EAST BRIDGEWATER — Chief Scott Allen is pleased to announce that two East Bridgewater Police officers recently completed a School Resource Officer training course.

Last week, East Bridgewater Police Officers Tallitha Connor and Cecelia Cacciatore completed a 40-hour Basic School Resource Officer (SRO) training course hosted by the Norwood Police Department.

Officer Connor has been the department’s full-time SRO since last spring, working on a daily basis within the three schools of the East Bridgewater School District.

This fall, Officer Cacciatore started as an assistant SRO to support Officer Connor, with the future department goal of having a second full-time officer assigned to the school district.

The Basic SRO class was attended by 50 School Resource Officers from across the state. The course covered the tools necessary for being a successful SRO including topics such as school safety and security, SRO roles and responsibilities, the SRO attitude, as well as the laws associated with the SRO position.

SRO course attendees also learned about alternate actions to arrest, the criminal justice system for juveniles, updates on the new Juvenile Justice Crime Reform law, learning about the adolescent brain and understanding the state’s recently recommended Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for SRO’s between police departments and school districts.

“Officer Connor and Officer Cacciatore returned to the police department and school district this week better prepared to implement innovative and creative initiatives in collaboration with the district,” Chief Allen said. “With this training, they’ll be able to provide a safer learning environment for the students, staff and visitors of the town’s three schools and strengthen the relationship between police, schools and the community as a whole.”

Officer Connor and Officer Cacciatore have multi-faceted roles within the department, in addition to their SRO duties. Both help coordinate the department’s community policing programs, including citizen and student police academies, attending and participating in community events, while also working on domestic violence cases and support.

Officer Cacciatore is also a Plymouth County Outreach (PCO) substance use disorder outreach team member, helping those struggling with substance use disorders to access pathways to treatment and recovery.

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East Bridgewater Police Arrest and Charge Man with Illegal Possession of Firearm

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

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018

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

East Bridgewater Police Arrest and Charge Man with Illegal Possession of Firearm

EAST BRIDGEWATER — Chief Scott Allen reports that the East Bridgewater Police Department arrested and charged a man with illegally possessing a gun on Monday.

JOSHUA ZUKOWSKI, AGE 19, OF EAST BRIDGEWATER was charged with:

  • Receiving a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number
  • Possession of a Firearm Without a FID Card
  • Improper Storage of a Firearm
  • Possession to Distribute a Class D Drug (Marijuana)
  • Possession of a Class D Drug (Marijuana)
  • Possession to Distribute a Class B Drug (LSD)
  • Possession of a Class B Drug (Cocaine)

At approximately 2 p.m. Monday, East Bridgewater Police were dispatched to a home on South Street after receiving a call from family members who were concerned about ZUKOWSKI.

While at the home, a family member gave a loaded handgun to the officers that had been found in ZUKOWKI’S bedroom and requested that it be removed from the home due to safety concerns.

A Hi-Point .45 caliber pistol was seized and East Bridgewater Police and WEB Task Force detectives initiated a followup investigation and a search warrant was issued several hours later.

In searching the house police allegedly found and seized:

  • 14 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition
  • One round of 410 caliber ammunition
  • Marijuana (522.8 grams)
  • Marijuana Edibles (136 doses)
  • Cocaine (5.9 grams)
  • LSD (50 doses)
  • $4,900 cash
  • Drug Packaging Materials

ZUKOWSKI, who does not have a license to carry a firearm, was arrested without incident Monday and was expected to be arraigned today at Brockton District Court.

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

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