Methuen

Methuen Police Host National Night Out

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

For Immediate Release

Friday, Aug. 9, 2019

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

Methuen Police Host National Night Out

Methuen Police visited a block party at Twin Oaks Condos on Oak Street on Tuesday as part of the department’s celebrations for National Night Out. (Courtesy Photo)

METHUEN — Chief Joseph Solomon and Mayor James Jajuga are pleased to share that the Methuen Police Department hosted a National Night Out event earlier this week.

On Tuesday, Aug. 6, neighborhoods throughout Methuen participated in the National Night Out event with block parties and ice cream socials.  All National Night Out gatherings around the city were coordinated by the Methuen Police Department’s Community Outreach Bureau.

“National Night Out is always an engaging way for our officers to connect with neighborhoods throughout the city,” Chief Solomon said. “I’d like to thank our Community Outreach Bureau for putting this event together. It took a lot of work and coordination, and was a great community event for everyone.”

Held on the first Tuesday in August, National Night Out is a nationwide campaign designed to strengthen the relationship between police and fire officials and residents in order to foster partnerships and improve safety in neighborhoods.

“National Night Out is a wonderful initiative, and it allows our residents to meet and get to know members of the police department in a fun way,” Mayor Jajuga said. “It’s incredibly important for the community to feel connected to the police department, and this event is great at fostering that relationship and providing insight into the work our police officers do daily to protect and serve our city.”

Festivities kicked off on Tuesday in the Arlington Neighborhood. Methuen Police visited participating neighborhoods throughout the city from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday.

Several groups held block parties to celebrate National Night Out, including the Methuen Arlington Neighborhood on Tenney Street, 15 Emery Street, 24 Mystic Street, 945 Riverside Dr. Unit 27A, Rebecca Way, 4 Fox Run Lane, Franklin Avenue, Twin Oaks Condos on Oak Street and Senior Living at Merrimack Valley Apartments on Calumet Road. Ice cream socials were also held at elder housing at 222 Pelham St, Methuen Village at 4 Gleason St. and an ice cream stand was hosted at Mann’s Orchard on Pleasant Valley St.

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Methuen Police Officer Indicted for Allegedly Stealing Funds from Patrolman’s Union

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

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

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

Methuen Police Officer Indicted for Allegedly Stealing Funds from Patrolman’s Union

METHUEN — Chief Joseph Solomon, Mayor James Jajuga and Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett announce that a member of the Methuen Police Department has been indicted after an investigation into alleged misappropriation of funds from the Methuen Police Patrolman’s Association.

An Essex County Grand Jury today indicted MARK WHITTAKER, AGE 54, OF SALEM, N.H. on two counts each of Larceny over $1,200 by Single Scheme and Embezzlement from a Voluntary Association.

The indictments allege that WHITTAKER embezzled and stole money from the Methuen Patrolman’s Union from 2015 to April of 2019.

WHITTAKER was previously treasurer of the police patrolman’s union. He was placed on paid administrative leave April 9, 2019 regarding an unrelated matter. Financial irregularities were discovered when other officers took over fiduciary duties for the Patrolman’s Association. The information was brought to police administration; the police department immediately launched an investigation and contacted the Essex District Attorney’s Office.

With news of the indictments, WHITTAKER will now be moved to unpaid suspension pending the outcome of this case.

“This case represents a staggering abuse of trust and the theft of money from police officers allegedly by one of our own,” Chief Solomon said.

“I wish to commend the officers who caught the theft of their own union’s funds and the investigators who so thoroughly worked to ensure truth and justice in this matter,” Mayor Jajuga added.

WHITTAKER will be arraigned at a later date. An arraignment date has not been scheduled.

WHITTAKER was hired as a reserve officer in May 1998 and elevated to full-time patrolman in June 2000.

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Methuen Police Department Welcomes Family Receiving Donation From Cops For Kids With Cancer

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

For Immediate Release

Sunday, July 14, 2019

Media Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Methuen Police Department Welcomes Family Receiving Donation From Cops For Kids With Cancer

From left: Brooke, Michael and Melissa Burns holding Baby Michael, Cops For Kids With Cancer Treasurer Ed McNelley, Chief Joseph Solomon and Mayor James Jajuga. (Courtesy Photo)

METHUEN — Chief Joseph Solomon and Mayor James Jajuga are pleased to announce that Cops for Kids with Cancer presented a local 9-month-old boy and his family with a $5,000 donation at Methuen Police headquarters on Friday, July 12.

Michael Burns Jr. and his family, including his parents Michael and Melissa Burns and his older sister, Brooke, received a $5,000 donation from Cops for Kids With Cancer Friday morning to help cover the costs associated with his cancer treatment.

Michael was diagnosed with Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia as a newborn last October. Since then, he has been undergoing intensive treatment — including frequent hospitalization — while his parents make an effort to maintain work schedules, often from Michael’s hospital rooms.

The Methuen Police Department sponsored the Burns family’s application to Cops for Kids with Cancer earlier this year.

“No family, and certainly no young child should have to endure what the Burns family has throughout Michael’s young life,” Chief Solomon said. “We were eager to support their efforts through Cops For Kids With Cancer, and we’re so grateful for their generosity in supporting this family.”

Organization Treasurer Ed McNelley was on hand Friday to present the check, which will go toward alleviating Michael’s medical expenses.

“Cops for Kids With Cancer is a great organization with a tremendously meaningful mission,” Mayor Jajuga said. “I’m glad that Chief Solomon and his officers could pitch in to help make Friday’s donation possible, and I know we all join together in rooting for Michael to beat this and live a full and happy life.”

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Methuen Police Investigating Armed Robbery of Pharmacy

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

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Media Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Methuen Police Investigating Armed Robbery of Pharmacy

METHUEN – Mayor James P. Jajuga and Chief Joseph Solomon report that the Methuen Police Department is investigating following a reported armed robbery Monday night.

At 9:14 p.m., Methuen Police were dispatched to Rite Aid, 256 Pleasant St., for a report of a robbery. Upon arrival, officers initiated an on-scene investigation and learned that two female suspects had robbed the store.

One suspect allegedly made a purchase at the register before the second approached the counter and showed an employee a handgun inside of her bag. That suspect then forced her way behind the counter and subsequently stole an unknown amount of pills from the pharmacy. She then allegedly forced the clerk to the front of the store before exiting and fleeing on foot with the other woman.

The Methuen Police Department Patrol and Detective Divisions are actively investigating this incident. Any members of the public who believe they can identify either suspect are asked to call the Methuen Police Department at 978-983-8698.

 

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