Rockland Police Department

Rockland Fire and Police Departments Offer Safety Tips Ahead of National Poison Prevention Week

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Friday, March 15, 2019

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-742-3922
Email: [email protected]

Rockland Fire and Police Departments Offer Safety Tips Ahead of National Poison Prevention Week

National Poison Prevention Week is March 17–23

ROCKLAND – As National Poison Prevention Week begins March 17, Fire Chief Scott Duffey and Police Chief John Llewellyn wish to remind residents of the danger of unintentional poisonings for people of all ages.

According to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC), poison centers across the nation receive more than 2 million calls about potential poisonings every year. Young people are at a higher risk of unintentional poisoning, especially children under age six.

Over 90 percent of poison exposures occur in the home. The top five causes of poisoning are painkillers, household cleaning products, sedatives, hypnotics and antipsychotics medicine, cosmetics and personal care products and foreign objects.

“Parents should always be sure to keep harmful chemicals and cleaning products out of sight and out of reach from kids,” Chief Llewellyn said. “Consider keeping them on a high shelf or in a locked cabinet. This is one of the easiest ways to prevent accidental poisonings in the home.”

Poisonings can be prevented. To keep your family safe, Chief Duffey and Chief Llewellyn recommend following safety tips provided by HRSA and AAPCC:

To prevent an unintentional poisoning:

  • Teach your family to never touch nor consume something if they don’t know what it is.
  • Store common harmful substances out of sight and out of reach of children. These substances may include over-the-counter and pharmaceutical medications, tobacco products, alcohol, cleaning supplies and other disinfectant chemicals, insect repellent and oils.
  • Keep all substances in their original, labeled containers.
  • Never mix chemical substances as they can create dangerous gases when mixed.
  • Always follow the label directions on over-the-counter and pharmaceutical medications. Never share prescription medication.
  • Safely dispose of prescription medications that are no longer needed.

If you think someone has been poisoned:

  • Immediately call 1-800-222-1222 to reach your local poison center. Follow the first-aid advice you receive from the poison center.
  • Remain calm. Not all medicines or chemical and household substances are poisonous. Poisonings can often be treated.
  • Get fresh air if the poison was inhaled. Take off clothing and rinse skin for 15 to 20 minutes if poison is on the skin. Rinse eyes for 15 to 20 minutes if poison is in the eyes.
  • Always call 911 if the person is unconscious or not breathing.

National Poison Prevention Week was established by Congress in 1961. It takes place during the third week of March each year and raises awareness to reduce unintentional poisonings and encourage poison prevention through community involvement.

“The Rockland Police Department has a box in the lobby where residents can drop off and get rid of unused or unwanted prescription medications,” Chief Llewellyn said. “We welcome folks whose medicine cabinets have old pill bottles to come and drop them off.”

For more information on poison prevention, visit the HRSA website or the AAPCC website, or contact the Rockland Fire Department at 781-878-2123 or the Rockland Police Department at 781-871-3890.

 

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Rockland Police and Fire Departments Offer Guidance on CBD Products

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Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-742-3922
Email: [email protected]

Rockland Police and Fire Departments Offer Guidance on CBD Products

ROCKLAND — As CBD products become more readily available across Massachusetts, Police Chief John Llewellyn and Fire Chief Scott Duffey are urging Rockland residents to be cautious, research items before buying and remember that the drug’s legality at the federal level remains murky.

While many CBD products claim to cure physical pains, benefit mental health and even cure some illnesses, these benefits are largely unsubstantiated by science. Only one CBD drug has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug administration after it was studied closely. The drug treats seizures associated with severe epilepsy.

Because of a lack of regulation, some items that claim to be CBD can be dangerous to consumers. In December 2017 and January 2018, a group of approximately 50 people in Utah were sickened by a synthetic cannabinoid they were sold that was marketed as CBD. Some of their symptoms included an altered mental status, seizures, confusion, loss of consciousness, and hallucinations.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), CBD, also known as cannabidiol, does not cause a high because it affects a different part of the nervous system than THC, an active chemical compound in marijuana.

CBD can be derived from both marijuana and hemp. Hemp-derived CBD can contain as much as 0.3 percent THC, and marijuana-derived CBD can contain more, according to the FDA.

Marijuana-derived CBD remains illegal federally, as a cannabis byproduct. Hemp, however, was legalized nationally in December 2018.

The Rockland Police and Fire Departments are urging parents, guardians, and caregivers to be vigilant that children do not become exposed to CBD products that can often be sold in candy form. There are many gummy candy CBD products, which can be attractive to young children.

CBD products, ranging to edible treats to oils to lotions, can be bought online and in retail stores in Massachusetts.

“With these items becoming more readily available in our state, we would just like to notify parents that 99% of these CBD products have not been approved by the FDA,” Chief Llewellyn said. “Research is still being done to better understand the side effects of CBD, but the truth is, we simply don’t know what this substance is capable of yet and urge caution.”

Finding reliable information on CBD is also challenging, as much of the information available online is created by pro-CBD and marijuana companies. As a result, the Rockland Police and Fire Departments encourage residents to carefully assess the reliability and accuracy of the sources they use to gather information regarding CBD.

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Rockland Fourth Grader’s Heroic Actions Honored by Police and Fire Departments

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Rockland Public Schools
Superintendent Dr. Alan Cron
34 MacKinlay Way,
Rockland, MA 02370

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019

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

Rockland Fourth Grader’s Heroic Actions Honored by Police and Fire Departments

ROCKLAND — Principal Marilyn Smith is pleased to announce that a fourth grade student at the Stewart Esten Elementary School in Rockland was honored yesterday for his heroic efforts in calling 911 when his sister was having a medical emergency.

Joshua Joseph was recognized as a Rockland Hero by the Rockland Police Department and Rockland Fire Department and was awarded two plaques by the departments to commemorate his quick and life saving actions.

On Dec. 9, Joseph was being babysat along with his sister by their grandmother, when his 6-year-old sister began to suffer a medical episode. 

Joseph’s grandmother does not speak English, so the fourth grader took it upon himself to call 911 and speak to the dispatcher who was able to get emergency personnel to their home to assist his sister. Joseph stayed on the phone with the dispatcher until medical personnel arrived. She was taken to the hospital and has since been released and is now doing okay.

Joshua’s mother believes that her son’s actions may have saved his sister’s life. On Tuesday, Joseph was recognized at an assembly in front of the entire Esten School. His mother, father and grandmother were also in attendance.

Members of the police and fire departments, including Fire Chief Scott Duffey and Police Lieutenant Nicholas Zeoli, shook Joseph’s hand and commended him on a job well done.

“What an inspiring message to show to all of our students, that if someone is in need of help, you jump into action and try your best to help,” Principal Smith said. “We are all so proud of Joshua and it was really great to see him be recognized for his actions.”

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Rockland Police Chief Involved in Crash with Alleged OUI Driver

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Rockland Police Department
Chief John R. Llewellyn
490 Market St.,
Rockland, MA 02370

For Immediate Release

Monday, Nov. 26, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Rockland Police Chief Involved in Crash with Alleged OUI Driver

ROCKLAND – The Rockland Police Department reports that a man was arrested over the weekend after he allegedly struck Police Chief John Llewellyn’s cruiser while driving drunk and then fled the scene.

RICHARD CIRIGNANO, AGE 65, OF ROCKLAND is charged with:

  • OUI Liquor (Second Offense)
  • Operating a Motor Vehicle to Endanger
  • Leaving the Scene of a Crash
  • Failure to Stop for a Police Officer
  • Failure to Stop at a Red Light
  • Speeding
  • Failure to Wear a Seat Belt

At approximately 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24, Chief Llewellyn was travelling south down Spring Street in an unmarked Ford Explorer cruiser, leaving the annual Holiday Stroll event downtown.

As Chief Llewellyn went through the intersection of Spring Street and Summer Street a man, later identified as CIRIGNANO, driving a Ford F-150 pickup truck down Summer Street allegedly drove through a red light and struck the rear passenger’s side of Chief Llewellyn’s cruiser.

Chief Llewellyn attempted to avoid the collision but was unable to do so and his cruiser went off the road and onto the lawn of a nearby church.

The Chief and his passenger were uninjured.

CIRIGNANO sped away from the scene down Summer Street. Chief Llewellyn made sure he and his passenger were alright and then he initiated a pursuit of CIRIGNANO.

Chief Llewellyn used his flashing lights to pull CIRIGNANO over about a half-mile from the scene of the crash in front of the Rockland Ice Rink.

Additional officers responded to take command of the scene. Through the ensuing investigation, it was determined that CIRIGNANO had been driving under the influence of alcohol. He was placed under arrest and taken into custody without incident.

CIRIGNANO is expected to be arraigned today at Hingham District Court.

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

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