Author: Kayla Rochon

2024 Municipal Police Officer, MBTA Transit Police Officer and State Trooper Exam Announced!

Kayla Rochon Police
2024 Municipal Police Officer, MBTA Transit Police Officer and State Trooper Exam Announced!

2024 Municipal Police Officer, MBTA Transit Police Officer and State Trooper Examination has been announced and applications are now being accepted!

The written examination is scheduled to being March 16, 2024 and run through March 30, 2024. A late fee will be applied to applications filed after January 16, 2024. Candidates are encouraged to apply early.

CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION

For more information about recruitment and the exam click here.

Winthrop Fire and Police Respond to Four-Alarm Apartment Complex Fire

Kayla Rochon Fire, Police
Winthrop Fire and Police Respond to Four-Alarm Apartment Complex Fire

WINTHROP – Deputy Fire Chief Stephen Calandra and Police Chief Terence Delehanty report that the Winthrop Fire and Police Departments responded to and extinguished a four-alarm fire this afternoon. 

On Friday, April 21 at 12:18 p.m., Winthrop Police and Fire received reports of a fire at a multi-unit apartment building at 91 Veterans Road.  

Upon arrival, crews observed heavy smoke and fire coming from the building, and multiple residents actively trying to escape. Crews quickly struck a second alarm to request mutual aid.

Crews worked aggressively to extinguish the fire and struck a fourth alarm calling additional mutual aid to the scene. Multiple residents were entrapped and have since been safely rescued from the building. 

Three residents were transported to local hospitals for injuries that are not believed to be life threatening. Approximately 110 people are displaced and are being assisted by Red Cross.

Lynn Fire, Chelsea Fire, Malden Fire, Saugus Fire, Revere Police and Fire, Massachusetts State Police and the Massachusetts Port Authority provided mutual aid at the scene. 

Veterans Road remains closed to Shirley Street and Hadassah Way. Coral Road has been reopened.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by Winthrop Fire Department and the State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit attached to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. 

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Winthrop Police Department Warns Community About Grandparent and Bail Scams

Kayla Rochon Police
Winthrop Police Department Warns Community About Grandparent and Bail Scams

WINTHROP – Chief Terence Delehanty and the Winthrop Police Department would like to warn the community about scams that target senior citizens, and would like to offer tips for community members to help protect themselves and their loved ones.

Grandparent scams and bail scams, as they are commonly called, target grandparents and family members with stories of a grandchild or relative being in urgent trouble, often that they are under arrest. The scams request urgent bail money be provided, and scammers often encourage would-be victims not to contact police or other family members.

The scammer requests bail payment in cash or gift cards, to be given to a person posing as a courier or bail bondsman who arrives at the victim’s home. Or, the scammer requests money be transferred via a wire service.

Government agencies, including law enforcement, never contact the public demanding payment by wire transfer or by prepaid cards when individuals are being held on bail. 

Two Winthrop residents recently were victims of this type of scam and both incidents are being actively investigated by Winthrop Police, with assistance from multiple law enforcement partners.

Winthrop Police remind residents that any arrest or detainment of relatives can be confirmed with the arresting police department or through the local district court clerk’s office.

The Winthrop Police Department would like to share the following tips from the Federal Trade Commission regarding these types of scams:

  • Resist the urge to act immediately, no matter how dramatic the story is.
  • Verify the person’s identity by asking questions that a stranger couldn’t answer.
  • Call a phone number for your family member or friend that you know to be genuine.
  • Check the story out with someone else in your family or circle of friends, even if you’ve been told to keep it a secret.
  • Don’t wire money – or send a check or money order by overnight delivery or courier.
  • Report possible fraud at ftc.gov/complaint or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP.

For more information on grandparent and bail scams, click here.

Residents who believe they may have fallen victim to such a scam are encouraged to contact Winthrop Police at 617-846-1212.

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Winthrop Police Department Arrest and Charge Revere Man with Trafficking Cocaine

Kayla Rochon Police
Winthrop Police Department Arrest and Charge Revere Man with Trafficking Cocaine

WINTHROP — Chief Terence M. Delehanty reports that the Winthrop Police Department has arrested and charged a Revere man with trafficking cocaine.

HERMES QUINTERO-DURANGO, AGE 49, of REVERE, was arrested and charged with:

  • Trafficking Over 200 Grams of Cocaine
  • Possession With Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug

On Wednesday, Oct. 12, at about 11 a.m., Winthrop Police in collaboration with the Boston Police Department prepared to execute a search warrant of QUINTERO-DURANGO’s Revere apartment and property.

QUINTERO-DURANGO was observed driving in the East Boston area, and was stopped by Boston Police.

Boston Police discovered QUINTERO-DURANGO in possession of three bags of a rocky white substance later determined to be cocaine, and $1,708.

QUINTERO-DURANGO was arrested without incident and transported to Winthrop Police Headquarters.

Winthrop Police then executed the search warrant of QUINTERO-DURANGO’s apartment, locating 427.6 grams of what is believed to be cocaine. Upon further investigation officers found drug paraphernalia, scales, scissors, and plastic baggies.

Additionally, officers found a Colombian passport issued to QUINTERO-DURANGO, a figurine of movie drug lord “Scarface Tony Montana,” an autobiography of drug lord Pablo Escobar, and approximately $2,078.

QUINTERO-DURANGO was arraigned on Wednesday, Oct. 12 in East Boston District Court, and is being held on $150,000 bail.

“I would like to thank the Boston Police Department for their assistance with this investigation and acknowledge the great collaboration of both Winthrop and Boston officers,” said Chief Delehanty.

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Winthrop Police, working with Boston Police, seized 430.6 grams of cocaine, approximately $3,786, drug paraphernalia, a copy of Pablo Escobar’s autobiography, and a “Scarface Tony Montana” figure. (Photo Courtesy Winthrop Police Department) 
On Wednesday, Oct. 12, Winthrop Police arrested and charged Hermes Quintero-Durango with trafficking cocaine. (Photo Courtesy Winthrop Police Department) 

Winthrop Fire Department Offers Fire Pit Safety Tips Ahead of Summer

Kayla Rochon Fire

WINTHROP – Chief Scott Wiley and the Winthrop Fire Department would like to provide safety tips for grilling and fire pit use as warmer weather approaches.

The Winthrop Fire Department would like to remind residents of fire pit and outdoor grill safety, as the start of summer and outdoor gatherings are expected to take place.

Chief Wiley would like to share the following safety tips provided by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services:

  • Make sure the fire and/or smoke does not pose a hazard to any property
  • Smoke from the fire should not create a nuisance or health hazard in the neighborhood
  • Only ordinary and dry firewood can be burned in an outdoor fireplace or fire pit
  • No construction debris, leaves, hazardous waste, or chemicals may be burned at any time
  • Ensure that your fire pit is on a non-combustible surface at grade level (i.e. not on a deck) and is not under any type of overhang, roof or canopy
  • A water supply or fire extinguisher capable of extinguishing the fire is within 75 feet of the fire pit or outdoor fireplace
  • Common sense must be used (i.e. a competent adult must be in attendance) The hot fire pit should always be considered a hazard to curious children, hot embers routinely are sent into the air from these fireplaces, a screen should be in place to prevent the embers from igniting nearby guests or combustibles
  • Make sure the fire is completely extinguished/put out before going inside
  • Never leave an open fire unattended

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Propane) Grills

According to Massachusetts Fire Prevention Regulations, 527 CMR Section 6.07: (5), States: “Storage or use of LP-Gas containers above the first floor of a building used for habitation is prohibited.”

  • Never leave a burning grill unattended.
  • Make sure that the lid of a gas grill is open when you light it. Propane can build up inside and when ignited, the lid may blow off.
  • If you smell gas while cooking, turn off and get away from the grill. Call 911 from a safe location. Do not move the grill.
  • Always turn off the burners and close the propane cylinder when you are done cooking.
  • Keep all propane outdoors, at least 10 feet away from building openings such as doors, windows and dryer vents, and 20 feet away from air intake vents and ignition sources.
  • Do not smoke while handling a propane cylinder.
  • Clean the grease trap every time you grill.
  • Replace propane cylinders that are old, rusty, or showing any other signs of disrepair.

Grills or Live Fire on Porches and Decks

  • Always grill outdoors.
  • Grills cannot be used on a porch, balcony or deck with a roof, overhang or wall (other than the exterior of the building).
  • Grills can only be used on open first floor porches, decks or patios if there is an outdoor stairway to the ground, or the porch is at ground level.
  • Grills must be 10 feet from the side of a building unless the manufacturer’s instructions say it can be closer. Make sure grills are not underneath overhanging branches.
  • Grills cannot be used on fire escapes.
  • Place grills away from the house and deck railings.
  • Keep children and pets at least three feet away from grills. Children should never play near grills or propane cylinders. Keep all matches, lighters and lighter fluid away from children.

The Winthrop Fire Department would like to emphasize that outside fires on public beaches are prohibited. Residents should also be mindful of wind currents when burning and only burn when air quality is acceptable.

Stay up-to-date on burning regulations by contacting the Winthrop Fire Department on their non-emergency line at 617-846-3474.

In case of emergency if the smoke/fire from your fire pit or grill is growing at a rapid rate, or you need assistance extinguishing the flames do not hesitate to call 911.

 

If the fire department responds to any house for any type of outside fire, they have the right to order any fire be extinguished at the fire officer’s discretion.

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Winthrop Fire Department Awarded State Grant for Safety Equipment

Kayla Rochon Fire
Winthrop Fire Department Awarded State Grant for Safety Equipment

WINTHROP – Chief Scott Wiley is pleased to announce that the Winthrop Fire Department is one of over 300 fire departments across the state to have been awarded a grant as part of the Department of Fire Services Fiscal Year 2022 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program. 

The $15,147.55 grant awarded to the Winthrop Fire Department will be used to purchase a 3-piece set of battery operated vehicle extrication tools.

This program enables fire departments to purchase a variety of equipment that will make firefighters’ jobs safer. This is the second year that funding has been awarded for this purpose as part of a $25 million bond bill filed by the Baker-Polito Administration to support firefighter safety and health in the coming years. 

Fire departments in Massachusetts were able to apply to this program for 118 different types of eligible equipment, including personal protective clothing, gear washers and dryers, thermal imaging cameras, assorted hand tools and extrication equipment, communications resources, hazardous gas meters, fitness equipment, and more. In many cases, the purchase of this equipment will help departments attain compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration or National Fire Protection Association safety standards.

A complete list of the awards by department can be found here.