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 Bedford Police Expand “Quality of Life” Bicycle and Golf Cart Patrol Initiative

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Bedford Police Department
Robert Bongiorno, Chief of Police
2 Mudge Way
Bedford, MA 01730

For Immediate Release

Thursday, June 13, 2019

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

 Bedford Police Expand “Quality of Life” Bicycle and Golf Cart Patrol Initiative

Note: This version has been edited to reflect that the program is in its third year and is being expanded.

BEDFORD — Chief Robert Bongiorno is pleased to announce that the Bedford Police Department’s Quality of Life patrol program will return for the summer season this weekend.

The Quality of Life Patrol program is an extension of the department’s Pro-Active Community Enforcement (PACE) patrol program over the holiday season, which schedules officers to patrol shopping centers on foot.

Through the Quality of Life patrol program, officers are available by foot, bicycle and golf cart to enforce drug and alcohol laws, trespassing and other nuisance offenses. The program also allows officers to build their connections with the community through in-person interactions.

Areas to be patrolled this summer season through the Quality of Life patrol program include the bike path from South Road to the Lexington town line, the railroad bed from South Road to the Concord town line, the bike path from Loomis Street to the Billerica town line, Bedford Marketplace and the Great Road Shopping Center. Police will also patrol other areas accessible by bicycle, and also have a presence at community events.

This is the third summer the Bedford Police Department has operated the Quality of Life patrol program, and this season the program will grow to include additional patrols. The program is also being extended to run longer than in prior years, with the patrols scheduled to continue through Labor Day.

“Our goal with these patrols is to allow our officers to partake in face-to-face interactions with our residents and visitors, and to dissuade and end illegal and nuisance activity in these areas,” Chief Bongiorno said. “Everyone should be able to enjoy our bike paths, go shopping and partake in recreational opportunities in Bedford without these annoyances.”

The patrols will be scheduled for Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, when these areas are most highly trafficked.

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Registration Open for Melrose Junior Police Academy

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, May 10, 2018

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

Registration Open for Melrose Junior Police Academy

MELROSE — Chief Michael L. Lyle is pleased to announce that the Melrose Police Department will host its fifth annual Junior Police Academy this summer.

The program consists of three separate one-week sessions in June and July, which will be held at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School with outdoor activities on Fred Green Field.

Classes run Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

  • June 25-29 (Session One)
  • July 9-13 (Session Two)
  • July 16-20 (Session Three)

The one-week classes are free and are open to children ages 10-13.

“The Junior Police Academy is a great summer program that allows students to explore the law enforcement field in a fun and interactive environment,” Chief Lyle said.  “It is a memorable experience for both the police officers and children, and both groups get a lot out of it each year.”

At the junior academy, participants will engage in a range of physical activities designed to promote teamwork and test for speed, focus and physical abilities.

Classroom activities will include learning about investigations, patrol procedures, traffic, bullying, drugs and cyber safety to educate children on the dangers they can encounter when using technology.

Space is limited to 40 cadets each week, so those interested should sign up early. Participants must be able to attend all days that the program runs during the week they sign up for.

To register, visit the forms section on the police department’s website, melrosepolice.net, or pick up an application at the police station. The deadline for applications is due two weeks prior to the start of each session. Anyone with questions should contact Sgt. Chuck Byrne at 781-665-1212 or [email protected]

 

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Burlington Police Increase Patrols at Mill Pond Reservoir, Charge Multiple Violators

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Michael R. Kent
Chief of Police
45 Center Street
Burlington, MA 01803
www.bpd.org

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016

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

Burlington Police Increase Patrols at Mill Pond Reservoir, Charge Multiple Violators

BURLINGTON — Chief Michael Kent reports that the Burlington Police Department, in an effort to improve the quality of life around the Mill Pond Reservoir and Conservation Area, launched a new set of bicycle patrols to monitor the area from late June through Labor Day Weekend.

Burlington Police charged 14 people, issued 3 civil citations, and gave numerous warnings to violators in the area of Mill Pond Reservoir this summer, ranging in severity from Minors in Possession of Alcohol to unleashed dogs. The majority of charges and warnings were issued to those swimming in a public water supply, as the Mill Pond Reservoir supplies drinking water to the Town of Burlington.

“The town seeks to provide safe, clean, reliable drinking water to our residents, and those who swim or litter in our reservoir are creating a potential hazard,” said Department of Public Works Director John Sanchez. “I am grateful to Burlington police officers for making this concern a priority.”

Officers conducted 31 bicycle patrols on an overtime basis, each patrol lasting four hours. As patrols increased, officers saw a decrease in both the volume of trash and number of motorized vehicles on the trails which were the primary complaints of visitors to the conservation area.

Below is the full list of citations and warnings given out by the Burlington Police Department this summer:

  • Bathing / swimming in a public water supply – 8 criminal hearings, 9 warnings
  • Persons under 21 in possession of alcohol – 6 criminal hearings, 1 warning
  • Marijuana possession – 3 civil citations
  • Littering – 1 Town of Burlington bylaw violation
  • Motorized vehicles on town property – 3 warnings
  • Juveniles operating motorized vehicles – 2 warnings
  • Unleashed dogs – 5 warnings
  • Allowing dogs in a public water supply – 4 warnings
  • Canoeing in a public water supply – 1 warning

“I commend the officers who took on overtime shifts this summer to address the problems surrounding the Mill Pond Reservoir,” Chief Kent said. “Residents should familiarize themselves with the rules surrounding the conservation area and take into account the reservoir’s purpose before going for a swim.”

During their extended patrols, Burlington Police also noted that small campfires are a serious concern due to the extended drought and remind residents that these fires are prohibited from the conservation area.

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Burlington Police Department to Increase Patrols at Shopping Areas During Holiday Season

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Michael R. Kent
Chief of Police
45 Center Street
Burlington, MA 01803
www.bpd.org

For Immediate Release

Friday, Nov. 20, 2015

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

Burlington Police Department to Increase Patrols at Shopping Areas During Holiday Season

BURLINGTON — Chief Michael Kent and the Burlington Police Department announce that they will be increasing police patrols at popular shopping areas during the holiday season in an effort to target and reduce incidents of retail theft and property crime at the Burlington Mall and areas surrounding the Mall, including the new Third Avenue shopping area.

“The goal of increasing our visible presence is to deter criminal activity but also to give shoppers coming to Burlington comfort that this stepped up enforcement will make their visit more enjoyable,” Chief Kent said. “Those who chose to commit these crimes should know that arrests will be the preferred response by officers.”

Beginning Saturday, Nov. 28, Burlington Police will be adding at least three additional patrol officers to these areas during the holiday shopping season.

Through crime analysis, Burlington Police found that the highest percentage of retail theft during the holiday season occurred on Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. Prior to increased patrol in 2011, Burlington received 41 calls for retail theft during these hours.

Since starting these directed patrols in the retail business district in 2012, Burlington has seen a significant drop in calls of this nature:

  • 2012, 29 retail theft calls
  • 2013, 13 retail theft calls
  • 2014, 8 retail theft calls

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