methuen police department

Methuen Residents Invited to Attend Methuen Day, Police and Fire Open Houses on Saturday

⋅ City/Town News, Client News, Fire News, Police News ⋅ , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Methuen Residents Invited to Attend Methuen Day, Police and Fire Open Houses on Saturday

METHUEN — Mayor James Jajuga, Police Chief Joseph Solomon and Fire Chief Tim Sheehy are inviting residents to attend a series of city events and open houses on Saturday, Oct. 5.

All events are family friendly and free to attend.

Methuen Police Department Open House

The Methuen Police Department Open House will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 90 Hampshire Street.

Residents are invited to come out to see police equipment and meet some of Methuen’s police officers.

Police vehicles will be on display including patrol vehicles, motorcycles, all terrain vehicles (ATVs), a public safety boat and personal watercraft.

Residents will be able to enjoy many activities, including:

  • Department Tours
  • Drone Demonstrations (NEW)
  • K9 Demonstrations
  • S.W.A.T. equipment
  • Meet “Chase” from Paw Patrol
  • MPD “Selfie” Station

Methuen Police will also be giving out free child ID kits to families.

Attendees will also be able to meet representatives from P.A.A.R.I. (Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative) and advocates from Methuen Police Department C.A.R.E.S. (Community Addiction Resource Engagement Services).

“We hope to see a lot of residents come out to meet our officers and see our our equipment and demonstrations,” Chief Solomon said. “This is a great event for us to interact with the community and show them some of what we do.”

Free popcorn and refreshments will be provided. Attendees are invited to share their photos from the event on social media using the hashtag #MPDOpenHouse.

Methuen Day

Methuen Day will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Methuen.

The event will feature historical tours, a scavenger hunt, local talent performances, demonstrations and interactive activities. Residents will be able to learn about Methuen’s local organizations, businesses and civic groups.

There will be outdoor seating, vendor tents and refreshments available for attendees. Welcoming remarks will be delivered at the start of the event.

“Methuen Day is a great day for our community to come together and celebrate our City and all it has to offer,” Mayor Jajuga said.

Methuen Day is hosted by the city’s Economic Development Committee in partnership with several city departments.

Fire Prevention Week Open House

The Methuen Fire Department Open House will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 24 Lowell Street.

Residents are invited to come out to see fire equipment and demonstrations, learn important safety tips and meet some of Methuen’s firefighters.

Attendees will enjoy station tours and vehicle and equipment demos. There will be several Jaws of Life demonstrations in the rear parking lot and a fire safety trailer provided by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services.

Fire safety videos will be played throughout the day and children will learn about fire safety in the home and what to do in an emergency. There will also be appearances by the fire dog characters Sparky and Marshal and plenty of photo opportunities with fire department props. Kids will receive a balloon, goody bag and helmet.

“We enjoy hosting our open house every year and we’re very much looking forward to this year’s event,” Chief Sheehy said. “Families and residents are able to enjoy fun activities and learn some safety tips at the same time.”

Pizza will be provided by Bada Bing.

###

Methuen Police Respond to Fatal Crash

⋅ Client News, Police News ⋅ , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Methuen Police Department
Joseph Solomon, Chief of Police
Quinn Public Safety Building
90 Hampshire St.
Methuen, MA 01844

For Immediate Release

Thursday, April 18, 2019

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

Methuen Police Respond to Fatal Crash

METHUEN — Mayor James P. Jajuga and Chief Joseph Solomon report that the Methuen Police Department responded to a fatal crash early this morning.

At approximately 1:44 a.m., Methuen Police were dispatched to the area of Pelham and Spencer Streets for a report of a crash. Upon arrival, officers immediately began rendering aid and initiated an on-scene investigation.

Through that preliminary investigation, Methuen Police determined that the driver of an Ice Bear scooter was travelling westbound on Pelham Street when he crossed the center line and collided with a 2007 Toyota Rav-4 traveling in the opposite direction. Officers also determined that the driver of the scooter was not wearing a helmet.

The scooter driver, a 24-year-old Lawrence man, was transported to Lawrence General Hospital, where he later died. His name is not being released at this time, pending the notification of his next of kin.

The two occupants of the Rav-4 were not injured in the crash.

The crash remains under investigation by the Methuen Police Department, as well as the Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services and Collision Analysis and Reconstructions Sections.

###

Methuen Police Arrest and Charge Man with Kidnapping Attempt in Grocery Store Parking Lot

⋅ Client News, Police News ⋅ , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Methuen Police Department
Joseph Solomon, Chief of Police
Quinn Public Safety Building
90 Hampshire St.
Methuen, MA 01844

For Immediate Release

Saturday, March 9, 2019

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

Methuen Police Arrest and Charge Man with Kidnapping Attempt in Grocery Store Parking Lot

METHUEN — Chief Joseph Solomon reports that the Methuen Police Department arrested and charged a man after he attempted to force his way into a woman’s car and kidnap her Friday night.

RAFAEL ROSARIO, AGE 53, OF LAWRENCE was charged with:

  • Strangulation
  • Attempted Kidnapping
  • Attempted Carjacking
  • Assault and Battery

At approximately 7:50 p.m. Friday, Methuen Police were dispatched to the area of Market Basket, 186 Haverhill St., for a 911 caller reporting an attempted car jacking.

Upon arrival, officers spoke to a woman who stated that she was in her car with the door closed when a man, later identified as ROSARIO, allegedly forced his way into her car without her permission, grabbed her by the throat and pushed her further into

the vehicle.

Fearing for her life, the victim started screaming for help and beeping the car horn to get someone’s attention. A witness had just pulled into the parking space across from the victim in a pickup truck and saw the commotion and began to come help.

ROSARIO then exited the woman’s car and ran across the parking lot toward the area of Hobson Street. The male witness told the victim to call 911 and briefly chased ROSARIO before stopping and waiting for police.

Responding officers searched the area of Hobson Street and, a short time later, officers located ROSARIO located lying in the snow along a fence in the back corner of a property. He was placed under arrest without further incident.

EMTs from the Methuen Fire Department responded to the grocery store parking lot to treat the victim, who declined further medical treatment.

ROSARIO is expected to be arraigned Monday in Lawrence District Court.

“I would like to commend the brave citizen who witnessed this incident and sprang into action to help,” Chief Solomon said. “However, chasing after a suspect is something that can be extremely dangerous and we ask all residents that find themselves in an emergency to call 911 and let our officers take over from there.”

Mayor James Jajuga said, “We are all very glad to hear that the victim in this case was not seriously injured. Incidents like this should serve as a reminder for everyone to be mindful of your surroundings, even in a busy parking lot.”

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

###

Methuen Police Department’s Community Engagement Specialist Earns Recovery Coach Certification

⋅ Client News, Police News ⋅ , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Methuen Police Department
Joseph Solomon, Chief of Police
Quinn Public Safety Building
90 Hampshire St.
Methuen, MA 01844

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019

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

Methuen Police Department’s Community Engagement Specialist Earns Recovery Coach Certification

Community Engagement Specialist Colleen Welch. (Courtesy Photo Methuen Police)

METHUEN — Chief Joseph Solomon and Methuen Mayor James P. Jajuga are pleased to announce that Methuen Police Community Engagement Specialist Colleen Welch recently became a Certified Addiction Recovery Coach.

Welch is a Methuen native who serves as a community engagement specialist for the department’s Community Addiction Resource Engagement Services (C.A.R.E.S) initiative. That program is designed to address the opioid addiction epidemic that has affected communities across America, including Methuen.

To earn her certification, Welch completed a rigorous program that prepares her to serve as a direct resource for those struggling with addiction and connect them with recovery options.

The certification is presented by the Massachusetts Board of Substance Abuse Counselor Certification in conjunction with the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services.

In order to become a certified coach, Welch was required to perform 500 hours of certified work experience specific to four core domains of the CARC program — advocacy, mentoring/education, recovery/wellness support and ethical responsibility. She also had to take part in 60 hours of education related to those four areas, as well as coursework on ethics, cultural competency, the basics of addiction, mental health and motivational interviewing.

Welch has been working in the addiction recovery field for over 20 years, including a 14-year stint at Hampstead hospital, during which she helped facilitate detox treatments. She’s also served multiple recovery-focused organizations, and herself has been sober since 1987 following alcohol misuse throughout her teenage years.

By earning her certification, Welch will now be better equipped to continue her work for Methuen C.A.R.E.S by connecting those struggling with addiction and families affected by the disease with a variety of recovery services.

“Colleen is an indispensable part of the work we do to support people in our community battling addiction,” Chief Solomon said. “This certification only solidifies her standing within our department as a trusted resource for those seeking help overcoming their substance use disorders.”

Mayor Jajuga added, “This accolade is a testament to the importance the Methuen Police Department places on its addiction recovery work, and I’m proud of Colleen for going above and beyond to expand upon that work.”

###

1 2 3 4 5 >»