February 16, 2018

Bridgewater Police Arrest Juvenile after Threatening Social Media Post

Jessica Sacco ⋅ Client News, Police News ⋅ acts of violence, Birdgewater police department, school, social media, threats ⋅ 0 Comments

Bridgewater Police Department
Christopher Delmonte, Chief of Police
220 Pleasant St.
Bridgewater, MA 02324

For Immediate Release

Friday, Feb. 16, 2018

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Bridgewater Police Arrest Juvenile after Threatening Social Media Post

BRIDGEWATER — Chief Christopher D. Delmonte reports that the Bridgewater Police Department arrested a juvenile who allegedly made threats on social media to commit acts of violence.

As a result of an investigation by Bridgewater Police, a JUVENILE MALE, AGE 17, OF BRIDGEWATER was arrested and charged with:

Making Terroristic Threats
Disturbing a School or other Assembly
Larceny of a Motor Vehicle

Earlier today, several people reported to Bridgewater Police that they observed a message on Snapchat allegedly posted by the juvenile suspect. The message read “Florida part 2,” referencing to the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida that occurred on Wednesday. The post also showed a photo of a person holding what appeared to be a semi-automatic pistol.

During the course of the investigation, Bridgewater Police also recovered a stolen motor vehicle that is believed to be connected to the suspect.

The investigation led police to the suspect, who was arrested without incident this afternoon.

The suspect is being held without bail and is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday at Brockton Juvenile Court.

The incident remains under investigation by Bridgewater Police Department Detectives along with Bridgewater and Raynham School Resource Officers.

If anyone has any information about this incident, they are asked to call Bridgewater Police at 508-697-6118.

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

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February 7, 2018

North Reading Authorities Respond after Concerning Social Media Posts and Comments by High School Student

John Guilfoil ⋅ Client News, Police News ⋅ North Reading, police, schools, social media, threats ⋅ 0 Comments

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

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

North Reading Authorities Respond after Concerning Social Media Posts and Comments by High School Student

No Danger to Schools or Community

NORTH READING — Police Chief Michael P. Murphy and Superintendent of Schools Jon Bernard report to the residents of North Reading that actions have been taken after the North Reading High School administration learned that a student allegedly made a statement deemed to be one of concern for compromising school safety and similar messages of concern were posted on social media.

There is no danger to the North Reading Public School District or the greater community.

The student in question was identified, and appropriate actions have been taken, consistent with the code of conduct as outlined in the handbook that governs North Reading High School. The North Reading Police Department has conducted an investigation, led by Detective Sean O’Leary, and working with school administrators. A determination was made that the statement and social media postings, while troubling, do not rise to the level of criminal charges; however, the school district is addressing the matter in accordance with district policy.

The student’s name cannot be released for legal reasons.

Background:

On Tuesday, February 6, 2018, North Reading High School administrators were made aware of statements allegedly made by a high school student that indicated a desire to harm others at the school. Through the course of the investigation similarly concerning postings were found on social media. School administrators, consistent with the policies and procedures that have been adopted to ensure a safe school environment and response to threats, took prompt action including identifying the student involved and meeting with the student and the student’s family.

“The safety and security of students is one of our utmost priorities, and we are grateful for the strong working relationship that exists between the North Reading Police Department and our public schools,” Chief Murphy said.

Added Superintendent Bernard: “I am pleased to know that our school safety and security policies and procedures work and that they were followed by faculty, staff, and administrators. I am thankful to the North Reading Police department, the students and staff of our middle school and high school, and the community at large for their patience and support as we work to resolve this matter of concern and maintain a safe and secure learning environment for all.”

The North Reading Public Schools and North Reading Police Department wish to thank everyone for their patience and support.

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January 7, 2018

Methuen Police Determine No Threat Exists Against High School After Social Media Post Causes Concerns

Benjamin Paulin ⋅ Client News, Police News, School News ⋅ Investigation, Methuen, Methuen High School, methuen police department, Methuen Public Schools, social media, threat ⋅ 0 Comments

Methuen Police Department
Joseph Solomon, Chief of Police
Quinn Public Safety Building
90 Hampshire St.
Methuen, MA 01844

For Immediate Release

Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Methuen Police Determine No Threat Exists Against High School After Social Media Post Causes Concerns

METHUEN — Mayor James P. Jajuga and Chief Joseph Solomon report that the police department has determined there is no credible threat against Methuen High School, after investigating a social media post that was being circulated Sunday night.

Police have determined that the social media post originated elsewhere and was not connected to Methuen High School in any way.

School will be opened as scheduled on Monday.

At approximately 7:40 p.m. Sunday, police and school officials were made aware of an allegedly threatening social media post being circulated among students. Some of the students notified their parents, who then called Methuen Police.

Methuen Police detectives and school resource officers made a full and thorough investigation and determined that the post was referring to a school in another state. That matter is being investigated by law enforcement agencies where the post originated from and Methuen Police are in communication with those agencies.

“We are extremely happy and proud that the students notified their parents of this post, who then immediately notified the Methuen Police,” Chief Solomon said. “We always take situations like this very seriously and our detectives worked quickly to determine that the threat did not have anything to do with our schools.”

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May 1, 2017

Bedford Police Locate Woman Sought after Concerning Social Media Post

John Guilfoil ⋅ Client News, Police News ⋅ Bedford, Burlington, Facebook, manchester-by-the-sea, Merrimack, New Hampshire, peabody, police, social media ⋅ 0 Comments

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

For Immediate Release

Monday, May 1, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Bedford Police Locate Woman Sought after Concerning Social Media Post

BEDFORD — Chief Robert Bongiorno reports that a Bedford Police Department patrolman this afternoon located a woman sought by law enforcement agencies in two states after a concerning social media post led police to believe she may have been intending to harm someone with a firearm.

Officer Jared Weisenborn was on patrol along Rt. 62 (Burlington Road) when he noticed a gray Jeep Cherokee that matched the description of a vehicle given to area police departments. He pulled the vehicle over and confirmed that the driver, a 32-year-old North Reading woman was the same person being sought by police after a post she allegedly made on Facebook.

Sgt. Paul Saunders also responded to the scene as the supervisor, and the woman was transported without incident to an area hospital for an evaluation.

Timeline of Events
Earlier today, a person connected through Facebook with the woman in question contacted the Merrimack, N.H. Police Department and notified them of a post appearing on this woman’s account, which made references to firearms and contained the words “lone wolf.” It was believed, from this message, that the writer may be intending to harm others. A trace of the account holder’s cell phone was conducted by Merrimack Police.

At approximately 1:20 p.m. Monday, the Burlington Police Department received a report from the Merrimack Police Department that woman may be in Burlington. That report was later corrected, but the initial report was enough to place Burlington Public Schools in “lockout mode” for a short period of time, out of an abundance of caution.

A subsequent trace placed the woman in Manchester-by-the-Sea and the Peabody area.

By mid-afternoon, law enforcement agencies throughout northeastern Massachusetts and southeastern New Hampshire were notified and told to be on the lookout for this individual.

At 5:40 p.m., Officer Weisenborn located the woman. No weapons were found in her vehicle.

“Officer Weisenborn is to be commended for his sharp-eyed attention to his surroundings, which resulted in the location of the individual, assistance rendered, and a peaceful end to a challenging situation today,” Chief Bongiorno said. “What matters most is that no one was harmed.”

This incident is now under investigation by Bedford Police detectives.

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