groveland police department

Groveland Police Follow School Buses to Ensure Safe Transports

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Groveland Police Department
Jeffrey Gillen, Chief
Public Safety Building
181 Main St
Groveland, MA 01834

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018

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

Groveland Police Follow School Buses to Ensure Safe Transports

The Groveland Police Department is shadowing school buses along their routes to ensure drivers are obeying state laws. (Courtesy Photo Georgetown Police)

GROVELAND — To ensure children are able to safely enter and exit their school buses, and that drivers are aware of the rules of the road, the Groveland Police Department is shadowing school buses along their routes.

Beginning the week of Nov. 19, after receiving complaints of cars passing buses while stopped with their flashing red lights on, officers began accompanying buses in the mornings and afternoons in marked and unmarked cruisers.

Drivers who fail to stop for a school bus with its red lights activated are subject to a $250 fine, and motorists with two or more offenses can have their licenses revoked.

Since implementing this safety campaign, two drivers have been stopped and were issued warnings.

“We want drivers to be aware that officers will be monitoring bus routes to ensure all laws are followed and children are safe,” Chief Jeffrey Gillen said. “By addressing this proactively, we hope to prevent accidents and injuries.”

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), approximately 400,000 students in the state are transported to school by bus every year.

School buses are a relatively safe form of transportation. DPH reports that the majority of related injuries occur to pedestrians who are boarding or exiting a bus and are hit by passing traffic or while in one of the bus driver’s blind spots. Children ages 4 to 7 are at the highest risk of injury.

Residents should remember that:

  • State law requires drivers to stay at least 100 feet behind a school bus at all times.
  • Motorists also must stop for school buses and school vans when red lights are flashing. Be on the lookout for flashing yellow and red lights, and be ready to stop.
  • Never pass a school bus when its stop sign arm is down and red lights are flashing.
  • Do not begin driving again until the flashing red lights are turned off, the stop sign is put back in place and the bus begins moving.

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Groveland Police to Host Third Annual “Stuff a Cruiser” Food Drive

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Groveland Police Department
Jeffrey Gillen, Chief
Public Safety Building
181 Main St
Groveland, MA 01834

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018

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

Groveland Police to Host Third Annual “Stuff a Cruiser” Food Drive

GROVELAND — Chief Jeffrey Gillen is pleased to announce that the Groveland Police Department is holding its annual “Stuff a Cruiser” food drive this weekend to benefit the Council on Aging and the Sacred Heart Food Pantry.

WHEN:

Saturday, Nov. 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE:

Groveland Police Station, 181 Main St. (in front of the station)

WHAT:

The Groveland Police Department is asking residents and community members to donate canned goods and nonperishable items to help those in need. This includes canned fruit, canned veggies, soups, baked beans, boxed stuffing mix, boxed potatoes and yams, peanut butter, jelly, jam, dried pasta and pasta sauce. (Please note: the Groveland Police Department cannot accept perishable items, like frozen turkeys).

Detective Steven Petrone first organized the drive in 2016 as a way to give back to the community and help residents in need during the holiday season.

“Every year around the holidays we like to hold this food drive to help our local organizations that service many of our residents,” Chief Gillen said. “We’ve had a tremendous amount of support from the community over the last two years, and we hope that residents will stop by the police station on Saturday to help us meet everything on our wish list.”

Those with questions should contact Detective Petrone by calling 978-521-1212.

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Groveland, Georgetown and Newburyport Police Recognized for Life Saving Actions

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For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018

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

Groveland, Georgetown and Newburyport Police Recognized for Life Saving Actions

GROVELAND– Groveland Police Chief Jeffrey T. Gillen, Georgetown Police Chief Donald C. Cudmore and Newburyport Marshal Mark Murray are pleased to announce that members of all three departments were recognized yesterday for saving a man’s life.

On Feb. 12, during two ceremonies — at 1 p.m. in Groveland during an informal open house and at 7:30 p.m. at a City Council meeting in Newburyport — officials recognized Groveland’s Sgt. Eric Gorski and Detective Steve Petrone, Georgetown Sgt. Kevin DeFeo and Newburyport Lt. Matthew Simons for their response after a Georgetown man crashed his car into a telephone pole and was left unconscious.

In Groveland, officers received citations from the Board of Selectmen, presented by Chairman Michael Wood and Personnel Director Denise Dembkoski. In Newburyport, Mayor Donna Holaday presented a citation to Lt Simons. He also received citations from state Sen. Kathleen O’Connor Ives and state Rep. James Kelcourse, along with a citation from Gov. Charlie Baker, which was presented by Rep. Kelcourse.

“This was a true collaborative effort between the Groveland, Georgetown and Newburyport Police Departments,” Chief Gillen said. “I want to commend these officers for their quick and efficient police work, which ultimately saved this man’s life.”

On Saturday, Jan. 27, Sgt. Gorski and Detective Petrone responded to a report of a single motor vehicle crash with personal injury on School Street and Salem Street, in the area of the Tea Garden in Groveland. Given the close proximity to Georgetown, Sgt. DeFeo also arrived on scene to assist.

Upon arrival, officers located Lt. Simons, who was off duty at the time, administering CPR to a 57-year-old Georgetown man. Detective Petrone and Sgt. DeFeo assisted with an AED and continued chest compressions until the man regained consciousness. He was transported to an area hospital, where he was treated and is expected to recover.

An investigation into the incident revealed that the Georgetown man was traveling north on School Street when he is believed to have suffered a medical event, causing his vehicle to cross over the southbound lane and travel up onto a curb before crashing head-on into a telephone pole.

Lt. Simons, who was driving on the southbound side of School Street noticed something off about the vehicle’s path of travel, and after looking in his rear-view mirror, saw the crash occur. He immediately turned around, pulled the unconscious victim from his car and began providing aid.

“This is a prime example of the fact that a police officer’s job does not stop when their shift ends,” Marshal Murray said. “Lt. Simons is a dedicated public servant whose keen observation skills allowed him to recognize the signs of a crash before it even took place. His dedication and professionalism to his job is a testament to his character.”

“These officers should be proud of themselves for their work that day,” Chief Cudmore said. “Our partnerships with neighboring police departments are vital in providing our residents with the best quality service, especially in emergency situations like what occurred during this motor vehicle crash.”

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Groveland Police Appoint First Female Detective Sergeant in History of Department

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Groveland Police Department
Jeffrey Gillen, Deputy Chief
Public Safety Building
181 Main St
Groveland, MA 01834

For Immediate Release

Monday, July 10, 2017

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

Groveland Police Appoint First Female Detective Sergeant in History of Department

Additional Officers Sworn In, Promoted During Ceremony

GROVELAND — Chief Jeffrey Gillen is pleased to announce that the Board of Selectmen appointed several new officers and promoted additional members of the Groveland Police Department, including Heather Riley, who became the first female detective sergeant in the history of the department.

The Board of Selectmen swore in and promoted members of the Groveland Police Department during a ceremony on June 26.

“As my first appointments and promotions since taking over as Chief on July 1, I’m extremely happy to welcome our new officers to the Groveland Police Department and commend those who have moved up in the ranks,” Chief Gillen said. “We’re thrilled to have Detective Sgt. Riley step into her role as the first female supervisor in the history of this department. I know she will continue to be an asset to this department and a great leader.”

Detective Sgt. Riley, of Haverhill, has been with the Groveland Police Department for 10 years and has served as a detective for the last two. She has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Salem State University, and has extensive training in sexual assault and domestic violence investigations, and crime scene evidence recovery. She also has experience working as the department’s Elder Affairs Officer.  

Dwight McDonald, of Groveland, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. In this role he serves as executive officer, where he is second in command under Chief Gillen. Lt. McDonald has been with the Groveland Police Department for 28 years and served as a sergeant for the last nine years. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Western New England College, has extensive leadership training and supervises the emergency communications center.  Lt. McDonald also served as the schools’ D.A.R.E. Officer for 12 years.

Eric Gorski, of Groveland, was promoted to the rank of sergeant. He has been with the Groveland Police Department for 20 years. He first started as a reserve officer, a role he remained in for three years before becoming a full-time officer. Sgt. Gorski has a master’s degree in criminal justice from Western New England College, and has training as a defensive tactics instructor, firearms instructor and field training officer.

Adam Sanborn, of Bradford, became a full-time police officer after working as a reserve officer for the last three years. He has an associate’s degree in criminal justice and graduated from the Northern Essex Community College-Methuen Police Department Academy.

Christopher L’Italien, of Georgetown, was appointed as a full-time police officer. He has been with the Groveland Police Department for two years as a reserve officer. Officer L’Italien has an associate’s degree in criminal justice and is scheduled to graduate from the Northern Essex Community College-Methuen Police Department Academy on July 14.

Emily Staton, of Haverhill, was appointed as a full-time dispatcher and as a reserve police officer. Officer Staton is a member of the U.S. Coast Guard and has been a reserve dispatcher with the Groveland Police Department for six months.

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