North Reading

North Reading Police Department Shares Back to School Safety Tips

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NRPD BADGE

North Reading Police Department
Chief Michael P. Murphy
150 Park St.
North Reading, MA 01864

For Immediate Release

Monday, Aug. 20, 2018

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

North Reading Police Department Shares Back to School Safety Tips

NORTH READING  — As students prepare to return to school in the coming weeks, Chief Michael Murphy and the North Reading Police Department ask that community members follow several important safety tips.

All students in the North Reading Public Schools will return to class on Wednesday, Sept. 5.

“Drivers should be aware that children will be walking to school and crossing the street to get to their bus stops,” Chief Murphy said. “Please slow down and keep your eyes on road and know that kids might not always be paying attention to their surroundings.”

With students often on their phones texting, browsing the internet or playing games, the North Reading Police Department recommends that parents talk to their children about the following safety tips provided by the National Safety Council (NSC) when headed to and from school:

  • Never walk while texting. If you need to respond to a text, move out of the way of others and stop on the sidewalk.
  • Never cross the street while using an electronic device.
  • Look left, right, then left again before crossing the street.
  • Cross only at crosswalks.

Drivers should be on increased alert when traveling through school zones and should NEVER text and drive. Additionally, the NSC reminds operators to:

  • Stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection.
  • Always stop for a crossing guard holding up a stop sign.
  • Take extra care to look out for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas.
  • Do not honk or rev your engine to scare a pedestrian, even if you have the right of way.
  • Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.

To best ensure that children who travel to school by bus get there safely, North Reading Police advise that students follow these tips from the NSC:

Getting on the bus:

  • When waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic and avoid roughhousing or other behavior that can lead to carelessness.
  • Line up away from the street as the bus approaches.
  • Wait until the bus has stopped and the doors open before approaching.

Behavior on the bus:

  • If available, always wear your seat belt.
  • Don’t put your head, arms or hands out the window.
  • Wait for the bus to stop completely before getting up from your seat.

Getting off the bus:

  • If you have to cross in front of the bus, walk at least 10 feet ahead until you can see the driver. Make sure the driver can see you too.
  • Wait for a signal from the driver before crossing. When the driver signals, look left, right, then left again. Walk across the road and keep an eye out for sudden traffic changes.
  • If your vision is blocked, move to an area where you can see other drivers and they can see you.

The return of classes also means that there will be many new teen drivers operating on the roads going to and from school.

According to the NSC, teen crashes occur most often because they are inexperienced. They struggle judging gaps in traffic, driving the right speed for road conditions and turning safely, among other things.

The North Reading Police Department, in conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminds parents to set the rules before their kids hit the road with “5 to Drive”:

  • No cell phones while driving
  • No extra passengers
  • No speeding
  • No alcohol
  • No driving or riding without a seat belt

Statistically, half of all teens will be involved in a car crash before graduating from high school. Car crashes are the number one cause of death among teens, yet these crashes are preventable. Teen drivers who continue to practice with their parents after obtaining their license increase their chances of avoiding a crash.

“We at the North Reading Police Department would like to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable school year,” Chief Murphy said.

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North Reading School Resource Officer Earns Trusted Adult Award

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NRPD BADGE

North Reading Police Department
Chief Michael P. Murphy
150 Park St.
North Reading, MA 01864

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018

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

North Reading School Resource Officer Earns Trusted Adult Award

From left: Sgt. Derek Howe, School Resource Officer/Detective Paul Lucci, Lt. Mark Zimmerman and Drug Grant Coordinator Amy Luckiewicz. (Courtesy Photo)

NORTH READING – Chief Michael P. Murphy is pleased to announce that School Resource Officer/Detective Paul Lucci has been recognized as a North Reading Community Impact Team (CIT) Trusted Adult.

North Reading Middle School students nominated Lucci to receive the award, which honors adults in the community that youths feel have made a positive impact on their lives. The award also reflects the students’ belief that Detective Lucci would be a trusted person they could turn to in times of need.

Detective Lucci was presented with the award on Friday, Aug. 3, at the CIT annual breakfast, held at the North Reading O’Leary Senior Center. Student Bryan Deuterio presented the award.

“As a School Resource Officer, Detective Lucci dedicates his workday to mentoring, teaching, creating partnerships, building relationships and ensuring school safety. One of the most important things for our School Resource Officer to know is what his role is and how to best engage with students, parents, administrators, teachers and staff while on campus,” Chief Murphy said. “Being nominated by students for the Community Impact Team’s Trusted Adult Award is a great indicator that he is succeeding in his role and having a positive affect on students’ lives.”

SRO Lucci has been with the North Reading Police Department since November of 2013 and has served as the department’s school resource officer for a year.

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North Reading Police Charge Tewksbury Man following Erratic Driving

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NRPD BADGE

North Reading Police Department
Chief Michael P. Murphy
150 Park St.
North Reading, MA 01864

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

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

North Reading Police Charge Tewksbury Man following Erratic Driving

NORTH READING – Chief Michael P. Murphy reports that the North Reading Police Department has obtained an arrest warrant for a Tewksbury man on several motor vehicle related charges following an incident today in which the driver refused to stop for police.

An arrest warrant has been issued for TROY NESTOR, AGE 35, OF TEWKSBURY, who is charged with:

  • Operating a Motor Vehicle With a Suspended License
  • Failure to Stop for a Police Officer
  • Operating to Endanger
  • Speeding
  • Assault With a Dangerous Weapon
  • Marked Lanes Violation.

In addition, NESTOR is wanted on pre-existing warrants out of Ayer District Court for Breaking and Entering, Larceny and Vandalism and a warrant out of Chelsea District Court for Larceny.

On Tuesday, July 24, at 10:15 a.m., an officer attempted to stop a white Chrysler Pacifica on Winter Street for defective equipment.

The driver of the vehicle, later identified as NESTOR, fled the scene and drove away erratically. The officer briefly pursued the vehicle before abandoning the pursuit at the Andover town line out of an abundance of caution due to the driver’s erratic operation presenting a danger to citizens, police, and the suspect.

Neighboring departments were notified of the incident, and NESTOR will be summonsed to court on the charges out of North Reading.

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North Reading Restaurant Ordered Closed by Health Department after Salmonella Outbreak

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North Reading Police Department
Michael P. Murphy, Chief of Police/Public Safety Director
150 Park St.
North Reading, MA 01864

Town of North Reading
Michael P. Gilleberto, Town Administrator
235 North Street
North Reading, MA 01864

North Reading Health Department
Robert F. Bracey, Health Agent/Director of Public Health

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

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

North Reading Restaurant Ordered Closed by Health Department after Salmonella Outbreak

NORTH READING – Director of Public Health Robert F. Bracey, along with North Reading Town Administrator Michael P. Gilleberto and Police Chief/Public Safety Director Michael P. Murphy report that a restaurant in town has been ordered closed by the Health Department in connection with a salmonella-related illness outbreak.

Kitty’s Restaurant & Lounge, located at 123 Main St., has been ordered not to re-open until further notice.

On July 3, the Health Department received complaints from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health about a salmonella outbreak that was believed to have occurred at Kitty’s Restaurant on June 23. The food suspected to be contaminated was narrowed down to the antipasto salad. The Health Department conducted an initial investigation that evening, working with the restaurant owners in an attempt to determine how the food was contaminated. The investigation included determining the source of the food, how the food was prepared, who prepared it, how it was served  and to whom it was served.

On July 5, after receiving additional information regarding potential illnesses associated with visits on June 25, the Board of Health recommended that Kitty’s management close the restaurant in order to conduct a full cleaning and sanitization of the building. The restaurant complied and reopened on July 6th.

The Health Department, working with the State Division of Epidemiology and Immunization, also provided information and guidance to Kitty’s management to test 46 employees who may have been working during the outbreak. All tested employees were to be cleared by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health before returning to work.

The town continued its investigation and reviewed additional complaints about the restaurant on July 9, at which time the North Reading Health Department also conducted an onsite inspection of Kitty’s.

The inspection revealed several food safety and sanitation concerns relating to unsanitary conditions, cross contamination and time and temperature abuse. It also indicated that the restaurant had not complied with the Health Department’s original orders of July 5, and several employees prohibited from working from the salmonella incident from June 23-25 were working on site and preparing food. Those employees had not been cleared to return to work by either the Massachusetts Department of Public Health or the North Reading Health Department. In addition to the antipasto salad, the restaurant’s house salad dressing was identified as a potential source of contamination and is being tested.

In the interest of protecting the public health due to the potential of a secondary outbreak, and in response to the establishment’s failure to comply with the orders of the North Reading Health Department, on July 9 the establishment was ordered closed until further notice. The restaurant was ordered to clean/sanitize its facilities and all remaining staff will be required to be tested and cleared prior to returning to work.

The North Reading Health Department will continue to work closely with the managers and owners of the establishment as well as with officials from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Massachusetts Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences on this matter.

For more information regarding food poisoning and Salmonella-related illness, please click here to download information from the Department of Public Health.

As a precautionary measure, the Health Department recommends anyone who took home leftover antipasto salad or house dressing, purchased takeout antipasto or salad or house dressing, or purchased packaged house salad dressing from this establishment after June 1 is advised not to consume the items. If you have an unopened bottle of house salad dressing in your home, you are asked to contact the Health Department so that it may potentially be tested. Again, this is a precautionary recommendation while the Health Department continues its investigation.

If anyone has any questions or concerns relating to this matter, please contact the North Reading Health Department at 978-357-5242.

The North Reading Health Department is administratively overseen by Michael P. Murphy, Chief of Police, who is also Director of Public Safety. The inclusion of the North Reading Police Department in this notice does not necessarily suggest a criminal investigation but rather the involvement of the Chief of Police/Director of Public Safety in an administrative capacity.

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