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Stoneham Police to Charge Malden Man for Discharging Firearm Near School on Wednesday

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Stoneham Police Department
Chief James McIntyre
47 Central Street
Stoneham, MA 02180-2044

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003

Stoneham Police to Charge Malden Man for Discharging Firearm Near School 

STONEHAM — Chief James McIntyre reports that the Stoneham Police Department will charge a man after gunshots rang out near two schools in town.

A 52-YEAR-OLD MALE FROM MALDEN is charged with:

  • Discharging a Firearm within 500 Feet of a Dwelling
  • Improper Storage of a Firearm
  • Violation of a Town Bylaw Relating to the Discharge of a Firearm
  • Disorderly Conduct
  • Disturbing the Peace

On Wednesday, Nov. 7, the Stoneham Police Department received multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots in the area of Karen Drive. Police units were immediately dispatched to the area.

As police units were responding to the scene, two nearby schools, Stoneham High School and Colonial Park School, were contacted and requested to shelter in place out of an abundance of caution. During a shelter in place, access to the buildings are restricted, but normal educational activities continue.

As police arrived in the area, they encountered several people in the yard of 4 Karen Drive. Officers spoke with the parties who provided conflicting stories as to what they were doing and denied shooting any firearms. The parties further stated that the sounds of the gunshots were likely from a pneumatic nail gun being used by nearby roofers. While on scene, officers located multiple freshly spent shell casings in the backyard at the residence.

Melrose Police and Massachusetts State Police K-9 units, along with the State Police Air Wing, responded for mutual aid to search the nearby woods as part of the investigation.

The investigation determined that the Malden man had allegedly been shooting at a target on a tree in the yard of the Karen Drive property. A 9 mm handgun was recovered.

The suspect had a valid license to carry firearms, but it is illegal to discharge a firearm near a dwelling.

The shelter in place advisories were quickly lifted at both schools, and students were dismissed as regularly scheduled.

“The individual involved in this incident clearly exercised poor judgement in unlawfully discharging a firearm in a residential neighborhood, in close proximity to multiple schools and homes,” Chief McIntyre said. “We are thankful that neighborhood residents and nearby school personnel reacted as quickly as they did to alert us to a potentially dangerous situation. I would like to thank our law enforcement partners – the Massachusetts State Police, Melrose Police and Woburn Police Departments for their assistance in bringing this incident to a successful resolution.”

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

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Stoneham Police to Host Coffee with a Cop Event

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Stoneham Police Department
Chief James McIntyre
47 Central Street
Stoneham, MA 02180-2044

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003

*MEDIA ADVISORY*

Stoneham Police to Host Coffee with a Cop Event

Residents Reminded of Community Survey Available Ongoing at Stonehampdsurvey.com

STONEHAM — Chief James McIntyre announces that the Stoneham Police Department will conduct a “Coffee with a Cop” event later this month, offering community members and Stoneham police officers the opportunity to get to know each other over coffee and snacks and discuss the issues that are most important in town.

“Coffee with a Cop is a wonderful opportunity for community members to interact with police officers in a comfortable, routine setting,” Chief McIntyre said. “I encourage everyone to come out on the 28th and get to know their police department.”

The event is being coordinated by Officer Ken Bowdidge of the Stoneham Community Policing Unit.

WHEN:

Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018 from 4-6 p.m.

WHERE:

Dunkin Donuts, 128 Franklin St., Stoneham

As a reminder to all residents, the Stoneham Police Department is also conducting a community survey that will help members of the police department gauge its strengths and understand areas of improvement as it seeks to provide modern, professional public safety services to its citizens.

The survey is completely anonymous. No personal or identifiable information is being collected, and staff will be on-hand with tablets. Visit stonehampdsurvey.com to complete the survey any time.

ABOUT COFFEE WITH A COP:

Coffee with A Cop was launched in Hawthorne, California in 2011 when Officers from the Hawthorne Police Department were looking for ways to interact more successfully with the citizens they served each day. Community policing has long been considered a framework for establishing trust between the community and the police. However, over time the character and composition of our nation’s communities have changed due to shifting demographics, more commuters, and the introduction of different communication methods such as websites and social media.

Police have hit upon a simple plan to break through the barriers that have been built over the years–a cup of coffee.

Coffee with a Cop events are now held in all 50 states and all over the world. It is one of the most successful community oriented policing programs across the country.

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Officials Investigating after Anti-Semitic Graffiti Found at Melrose Middle School

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, Nov. 5 , 2018

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

Officials Investigating after Swastikas Found at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School

MELROSE — Chief Michael L. Lyle and Superintendent of Schools Cyndy S. Taymore report that Melrose Police and school officials are investigating after swastikas were found at the Veterans Memorial Middle School.

Officials are investigating two incidents of the hateful symbols in different bathrooms at the school.

Late Friday, Nov. 2, the Assistant Principal Michael L. McLaughlin reported finding swastika graffiti in the fourth floor boy’s bathroom sometime after dismissal. Then, at the start of school Monday, a second swastika was located on the back of the door to the second floor boy’s bathroom.

The Melrose Police Department was notified in both instances, and police are working with school administrators to review surveillance footage of the hallways.

Because of the timing — end of day Friday and start of the day Monday — it is unknown how many students or if any other students saw the graffiti. Superintendent Taymore strongly encourages families to discuss this issue with their children and to discuss the meaning of hateful words and symbols.

The Melrose Police Department photographed both scenes, and a Public Works crew removed the hateful graffiti from the bathrooms before they were re-opened to students.

“Erasing the graffiti does not erase the hate expressed and hurt caused to others,” Superintendent Taymore said. “This will not be tolerated in our community, and we are committed to a full and thorough investigation. Actions have consequences, and no member of our community should live in fear.”

Chief Lyle and Superintendent Taymore are deeply troubled by these acts of hate speech, and they have been moved by the recent tragic events in Pittsburgh. Chief Lyle last week attended a vigil with religious and civic leaders at Temple Beth Shalom.

“I am very troubled by the escalating pattern of Anti-Semitic messages and actions in our country right now, and there is no room for pleading ignorance,” Chief Lyle said. “Hateful symbols and words convey a universal message that certain groups of people should be afraid, and while that is not what Melrose is all about, we need to confront the reality in our community so that we can show our collective strength and solidarity.”

All Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School students will be participating in a learning activity and restorative circle about discrimination and harassment including a discussion of hateful language and symbols and of bias and discrimination. These activities are scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 13.

The incidents remain under investigation.

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Statements of Arlington Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine and Police Chief Frederick Ryan

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Town of Arlington
Adam Chapdelaine, Town Manager
112 Mystic Street
Arlington, MA 02474

Arlington Police Department
Frederick Ryan, Chief of Police
112 Mystic St.
Arlington, MA 02474

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018

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

Statements of Arlington Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine and Police Chief Frederick Ryan

ARLINGTON — Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine and Police Chief Frederick Ryan wish to address the statements written in a police advocacy organization’s newsletter by a member of the Arlington Police Department who is involved with that organization.

The statements were written by Richard Pedrini in his capacity as a leader in the independent, non-profit Massachusetts Police Association. Pedrini is also a lieutenant with the Arlington Police Department.

Pedrini has been relieved of duty and placed on paid administrative leave while the Town of Arlington and Arlington Police Department investigate this matter.

The town leaders release the following statements to the public:

Town Manager Chapdelaine

“I am deeply disturbed by the apparent disregard for human life and for the duty of a police officer shown by Richard Pedrini in the Massachusetts Police Association newsletter. These comments do not represent the mission and values of the Arlington Police Department or the Town of Arlington. The sentiment raised by these comments is disturbing. The Town is taking these comments very seriously, and we will thoroughly investigate this matter.”

Police Chief Ryan

“The columns written by Mr. Pedrini in the Sentinel newsletter directly contradict the values, morals and mission statement of the Arlington Police Department. Such remarks risk eroding the public trust that municipal police departments in Massachusetts have worked so hard to build in recent years. I disavow the remarks in the strongest possible terms, and this matter will be dealt with swiftly and certainly.”

Pedrini has been employed by the Arlington Police Department since 1996.

 

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