Melrose

Melrose Police Conduct Controlled Entry at Middle School Friday Morning after Rumored Threat

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, Jan. 18, 2019

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

Melrose Police Conduct Controlled Entry at Middle School Friday Morning after Rumored Threat

MELROSE — Chief Michael L. Lyle and Superintendent of Schools Cyndy S. Taymore report that Melrose Police officers and school officials worked together today to conduct an orderly and smooth “controlled entrance” at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School on Friday morning after rumors last evening of a violent threat against the school community.

In the event of a rumored threat, a controlled entry is a process in which school officials work with the police department to ensure that everyone coming into the school, enters via the same entryway and their identities are verified. Backpacks are also searched to ensure no weapons are brought into the building. The intention of a controlled entry is to provide a level of security and reassurance, while not greatly impacting the school day.

Last evening, school administrators received multiple reports of a rumor involving a student who had made a threat to commit a violent act at the school on Friday. The threat did not target any specific individuals. The Melrose Police Department was immediately notified, and a plan was put into place, drawing upon the resources and expertise of the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council  School Threat Assessment and Response System (NEMLEC STARS) for guidance.

Students were allowed in via the main entrance. The arrivals were orderly and conducted without incident or any major delays or disruptions to the school day, which began at 8:15 a.m.

Officials stress that these actions were taken out of an abundance of caution. At no time were students or the school community in danger.

“We take threats very seriously, and we take nothing for granted,” said Middle School Principal Jaime Parsons. “We are very pleased with how things went this morning. The safety of our students is our first priority, and I am very grateful for the response and resources brought in by law enforcement to ensure an orderly start to our school day.”

“Melrose is a charter NEMLEC member, and the members of its STARS program are nationally recognized for their ability to help communities manage these types of situations,” added Chief Lyle. “I am pleased with the behavior and cooperation of our students, faculty and staff today who all worked together to ensure a smooth start to the day.”

The Middle School resumed its normal schedule of activities after the controlled entry.

The incident remains under investigation.

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Melrose Police Investigating Break-In at Downtown Business

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Melrose Police Department
Michael L. Lyle, Chief
56 W. Foster St.
Melrose, MA 02176

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, Nov. 30, 2018

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

Melrose Police Investigating Break-In at Downtown Business

Several Other Businesses, MHS report Broken Windows

A still image from surveillance at Madison Ave shows two people in the store, one who can be seen in the front window with a bag. (Courtesy Photo)

MELROSE — Chief Michael L. Lyle reports that the Melrose Police Department is investigating a break-in, and series of what are believed to be attempted break-ins, at several downtown businesses early this morning.

At approximately 3:45 a.m., police responded to Madison Ave of Melrose, 523 Main St., on a report that one of the storefront windows had been smashed and items were missing from the consignment boutique.

Surveillance images from the store show two people outside the building at 2:47 a.m. Both suspects are seen wearing dark jackets and gloves and one person has a black hood over their head. The other appears to be a white male wearing a dark baseball hat.

At 2:52 a.m., the camera shows the same two people leaving the store, heading south on Main Street toward Malden.

The owner of Madison Ave reports that approximately 15 Louis Vuitton bags were taken from the store, totaling $16,100.

As businesses began opening for the morning, police received several reports that their windows had been broken: Liberty Bell, 886 Main St., Honey Dew Donuts, 888 Main St., and Perella Jewelers, 136 West Emerson St. Nothing was stolen from the businesses.

Melrose High School, 360 Lynn Fells Parkway, also reported a window had been smashed in the rear of the building.

Melrose Police are actively investigating the break-in at Madison Ave and attempted break-ins at the other downtown businesses and high school.

Anyone who may have seen something early this morning is asked to contact the Melrose Police Department at 781-665-1212.

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Melrose Police Arrest Man For Performing Lewd Act in Cemetery

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Melrose Police Department
Michael L. Lyle, Chief
56 W. Foster St.
Melrose, MA 02176

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018

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

Melrose Police Arrest Man For Performing Lewd Act in Cemetery

MELROSE — Chief Michael L. Lyle reports that the Melrose Police Department arrested a man today for allegedly performing a lewd act at the Wyoming Cemetery.

SEAN FLANAGAN, AGE 48, OF MELROSE, is charged with Lewd, Wanton and Lascivious Conduct.

On Nov. 1, Melrose Police received a report from an anonymous caller that a man in red hatchback had been performing lewd acts on himself in the cemetery.

Today, around 10:45 a.m., while on patrol in the area, an officer noticed a red Subaru Forester parked by the back side of the cemetery. The officer observed a man inside the vehicle performing a sexual act on himself.

Following an on scene investigation, FLANAGAN was placed under arrest, transported and booked at the Melrose Police Station. He was later released on bail.

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

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Officials Investigating after Anti-Semitic Graffiti Found at Melrose Middle School

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, Nov. 5 , 2018

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

Officials Investigating after Swastikas Found at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School

MELROSE — Chief Michael L. Lyle and Superintendent of Schools Cyndy S. Taymore report that Melrose Police and school officials are investigating after swastikas were found at the Veterans Memorial Middle School.

Officials are investigating two incidents of the hateful symbols in different bathrooms at the school.

Late Friday, Nov. 2, the Assistant Principal Michael L. McLaughlin reported finding swastika graffiti in the fourth floor boy’s bathroom sometime after dismissal. Then, at the start of school Monday, a second swastika was located on the back of the door to the second floor boy’s bathroom.

The Melrose Police Department was notified in both instances, and police are working with school administrators to review surveillance footage of the hallways.

Because of the timing — end of day Friday and start of the day Monday — it is unknown how many students or if any other students saw the graffiti. Superintendent Taymore strongly encourages families to discuss this issue with their children and to discuss the meaning of hateful words and symbols.

The Melrose Police Department photographed both scenes, and a Public Works crew removed the hateful graffiti from the bathrooms before they were re-opened to students.

“Erasing the graffiti does not erase the hate expressed and hurt caused to others,” Superintendent Taymore said. “This will not be tolerated in our community, and we are committed to a full and thorough investigation. Actions have consequences, and no member of our community should live in fear.”

Chief Lyle and Superintendent Taymore are deeply troubled by these acts of hate speech, and they have been moved by the recent tragic events in Pittsburgh. Chief Lyle last week attended a vigil with religious and civic leaders at Temple Beth Shalom.

“I am very troubled by the escalating pattern of Anti-Semitic messages and actions in our country right now, and there is no room for pleading ignorance,” Chief Lyle said. “Hateful symbols and words convey a universal message that certain groups of people should be afraid, and while that is not what Melrose is all about, we need to confront the reality in our community so that we can show our collective strength and solidarity.”

All Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School students will be participating in a learning activity and restorative circle about discrimination and harassment including a discussion of hateful language and symbols and of bias and discrimination. These activities are scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 13.

The incidents remain under investigation.

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