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October 6, 2016

North Reading Police, Schools Address Nationwide Clown Scare

John Guilfoil ⋅ City/Town News, Client News, Police News, School News ⋅ clown, nation, North Reading, police, scare, schools, social media, twitter ⋅ 0 Comments

North Reading Police Department
Chief Michael P. Murphy
150 Park St.
North Reading, MA 01864
North Reading Public School District
Jon Bernard, Superintendent
189 Park S.
North Reading, MA 01864

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016

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

North Reading Police, Schools Address Nationwide Clown Scare

NORTH READING – Police Chief Michael P. Murphy and Superintendent Jon Bernard report that the North Reading Police Department and North Reading Public Schools are addressing the nationwide scare tactic involving people dressed as clowns threatening to harm others.

In August, parents in South Carolina were alarmed after a group of people dressed as clowns were reported as trying to lure children into the woods. Since then, numerous sightings of individuals in clown face paint and outfits, often times wielding weapons or acting suspicious, have been reported throughout the country.

Last week, a nationwide threat was made over Twitter targeting schools by a clown-related group. Although the threat has passed, the police department is actively monitoring any suspicious related activity in and around North Reading public schools. On Tuesday night, a Merrimack College dormitory in North Andover was evacuated after someone reported seeing an individual, dressed as a clown and carrying a weapon.

Similar incidents have been reported in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Nova Scotia, Canada.

While no specific threat to North Reading has emerged as a result of the social media activity, North Reading School Resource Officer Sean O’Leary will continue to maintain a presence at all schools throughout the district. In addition, North Reading police are coordinating with state and federal law enforcement partners.

“The North Reading Police Department is committed to the safety of our community above all else,” Chief Murphy said. “We encourage any student who sees or hears of anything alarming to report it immediately.”

“We remain vigilant in our schools to promote safety and security, and we work diligently with our local police department to ensure the safety of our students and staff,” Superintendent Bernard said. “To date, no information has surfaced in our schools, but we will continue to monitor this situation and remain in contact with the North Reading Police Department to address any concerns.”

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August 26, 2016

Methuen Police Department to Utilize Social Media During National Preparedness Month

John Guilfoil ⋅ City/Town News, Client News, Police News ⋅ campaign, community, emergency plan, Facebook, Methuen, methuen police, National Preparedness Month, social media, twitter ⋅ 7 Comments

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

For Immediate Release

Friday, Aug. 26, 2016

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

Methuen Police Department to Utilize Social Media During National Preparedness Month

METHUEN – Mayor Steve Zanni and Chief Joseph Solomon are pleased to announce the launch of the Methuen Police Department’s second annual social media campaign for the 2016 National Preparedness Month this September.

National Preparedness Month is meant to educate communities on planning, staying safe, and communicating during disasters and emergencies. This year’s theme is “Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”

The department is highlighting the idea of being proactive through daily posts on their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. Each week will feature a different theme including floods, wildfires, hurricanes, and power outages with helpful articles, public service announcements, checklists, and other resources to educate the public on how to stay safe during an emergency that affects their community. They are also in the process of developing boards on Pinterest, which will feature visual elements such as graphics, checklists, and flyers.

“The Methuen Police Department strives to use social media as both a way to relay information and also connect with our community,” Chief Solomon said. “Our social media following has grown considerably over the years, and we encourage residents to utilize the numerous resources we have available online.”

Methuen is no stranger emergency preparedness and the value of properly utilizing social media in the event of an emergency situation. During hurricane season and especially during the winter months, the city has experienced strong storms that have triggered numerous emergency situations.

In the event of an emergency, employees from the police station and the city set up and run an Emergency Operations Center (EOC), where they set up designated phone lines for calls coming in to report power lines or trees that are down, and other important safety messages. The team is also responsible for monitoring social media as a way to communicate with residents.

“The Methuen Police Department has utilized social media in a way that’s effective not only for the residents, but also for the town’s daily operations,” Mayor Zanni said. “I am proud to support the department in their efforts and encourage the community to follow their posts online.”

Along with Chief Solomon, Officers Licata and Scanlon are managing the department’s second annual formal social media campaign. Their daily posts are leading up to National PreparAthon! Day on Sept. 30, which culminates National Preparedness Month. The department plans to create a Facebook event for this day, which will contain all of the information they have posted throughout the month in one place

The Methuen Police Department’s Facebook page currently has 11,532 likes and they have 8,197 followers on Twitter. Chief Solomon and his team are heavily involved in social media, encouraging his police force to utilize social media as a means of communication with the Methuen community. Many of the officers even have their own Twitter handle.

For more information about National Preparedness Month, visit ready.gov and the Methuen Police Department’s Facebook page. Follow them on Twitter @MethuenPolice.

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September 10, 2015

Methuen Police Department Kicks Off National Preparedness Month with Social Media Campaign

John Guilfoil ⋅ Client News, Police News ⋅ Facebook, Methuen, National Preparedness Month, police, ready.gov, September, social media, twitter ⋅ 4 Comments

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

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015

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

Methuen Police Department Kicks Off National Preparedness Month with Social Media Campaign

METHUEN – Chief Joseph Solomon is pleased to announce the launch of the Methuen Police Department’s first social media campaign for the 2015 National Preparedness Month this September.

The department is highlighting the idea of being proactive through daily posts on their Facebook and Twitter. Each week will feature a different theme including floods, wildfires, hurricanes, and power outages with helpful articles, PSA’s, checklists, and other resources to educate the public on how to stay safe during an emergency that affects their community. They are also in the process of developing boards on Pinterest, which will feature visual elements such as graphics, checklists, and flyers.

“Social media is a great way to share information with the public and get our message out quickly across multiple platforms”, Chief Solomon said. “In Methuen, we have experienced severe weather in the past. I feel strongly about participating in this event to keep our community as safe as we can by educating the public on the importance of emergency preparedness.”

In the event of an emergency, employees from the police station and the city set up and run an emergency operations center (EOC) where they set up designated phone lines for calls coming in to report power lines or trees that are down, and other important safety messages. The team is also responsible for monitoring social media as a way to communicate with residents. The Department utilized the EOC frequently last winter due to record-breaking amounts of snow.

“The most important thing is giving our community and our followers the best information we can, so they are armed with the resources they need in the event of an emergency,” Officer Gina Scanlon said. “Whether that information is a contact number or a checklist, anything we can give them that will keep them safe matters. If we have done that, than we’ve done our job.”

“As an active member on social media, utilizing that platform to educate our community is an invaluable resource,” Officer Derek Licata said. “Getting our community prepared now will help keep us all safer in the event of an emergency, and ultimately, the safety of our residents is our primary goal.”

Along with Chief Solomon, Officers Licata and Scanlon are managing the department’s first formal social media campaign. Their daily posts are leading up to National PreparAthon! Day on September 30, which culminates National Preparedness Month. The department plans to create a Facebook event for this day, which will contain all of the information they have posted throughout the month in one place.

Although it is still early in the month, the Department is optimistic the response to their campaign will be very positive.

The Methuen Police Department’s Facebook page currently has 8, 586 likes and they have 6, 740 followers on Twitter. Chief Solomon is heavily involved in social media, and even sent Officers Licata and Scanlon to the Social Media the Internet and Law Enforcement (SMILE) Conference in Phoenix, AZ last spring. He encourages his police force to utilize social media as a means of communication with the Methuen community. Many of the officers even have their own Twitter handle.

For more information about National Preparedness Month, visit ready.gov and the Methuen Police Department’s Facebook page. Follow them on Twitter @MethuenPolice.

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October 13, 2014

Arlington Police Department Investigating Threats Made Over Social Media Against Family

John Guilfoil ⋅ Client News, Police News ⋅ Arlington, social media, thteats, twitter ⋅ 2 Comments

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

For Immediate Release
Monday, Oct. 1., 2014

Contact: Captain Richard Flynn, PIO
Office: 781-316-3907
Cell: 781-844-1224
Email: rflynn@town.arlington.ma.us

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

Arlington Police Department Investigating Threats Made Over Social Media Against Family

ARLINGTON — Police Chief Frederick Ryan reports that the Arlington Police Department is investigating a series of threats made over social media against an Arlington family.

“We actively pursue those who threaten the safety or security of our residents,” Chief Ryan said. “We will use all tools and assets at our disposal to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.”

The Arlington Police Department opened an investigation on Friday night of graphic, violent threats made against the residents over Twitter. The identities of those threatened will not be released by the department.

The Department has advanced computer forensics software and equipment and investigators trained to use them effectively. The Arlington Police Department has jurisdiction to enforce violations of state law, and will also communicate with federal authorities and share information pertinent to the investigation. The department is also working directly with Twitter, Inc.

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