For Immediate Release

Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019

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

Newport Police Cruiser Involved in Crash During Vehicle Pursuit

Suspect was Spotted Traveling 72 m.p.h. in a 25 m.p.h. Zone

NEWPORT, Vermont — Lt. Travis Bingham reports that a Newport Police Department cruiser was involved in a crash last night following a vehicle pursuit.

At approximately 10:10 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, a Newport Police officer monitoring traffic on Mt. Vernon Street observed two vehicles traveling east in a 25 m.p.h. zone, including a SUV and a red sedan believed to be a Volkswagen Jetta.

The sedan passed the SUV at a speed of 72 m.p.h., and the officer immediately activated his lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the vehicle. The officer pursued the sedan onto Pine Hill Road, east onto 191 Access Road and then east onto Schuler Road, where both vehicles lost traction.

An initial investigation indicates that the sedan regained control and fled the scene without crashing, while the cruiser left the roadway and crashed into a tree. The officer was transported from the scene with non-life threatening injuries and has since been released from North Country Hospital.

As is protocol, the crash is being investigated by the Vermont State Police. Anyone with information about the red sedan involved in this incident is asked to contact Newport Police at 802-334-6733.

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For Immediate Release

Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019

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

Newport Police K-9 Ozzy Receives Donated Protective Vest

NEWPORT, Vermont — Lt. Travis Bingham is pleased to announce that Newport Police K-9 Ozzy has received a bullet and stab protective vest through a charitable donation from nonprofit Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) charity located in East Taunton, Massachusetts whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.

The nonprofit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K-9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided more than 3,400 protective vests in 50 states valued at $5.7 million, through private and corporate donations.

“Our whole department is grateful for this generous donation,” Lt. Bingham said. “This protective vest is a fantastic asset because it will help keep Ozzy safe while he’s carrying out his duties and supporting the work of his fellow officers.”

The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K-9 graduates, as well as K-9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.

K-9 Ozzy’s vest is embroidered with, “In honor of K-9 Max, Portsmouth Police Department, N.H.”

The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K-9 is $950.00. Each vest has a value between $1,744 – $2,283, and a five-year warranty and an average weight of 4-5 pounds.

There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K-9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K-9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.

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