Author: Tom Zuppa

Tom Zuppa is a JGPR Senior Account Executive based in North Andover. He can be reached at 978-769-5614 or tom@jgpr.net

Winthrop Police Department Welcomes Two New Officers

Tom Zuppa Uncategorized

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Chief Terence Delehanty is pleased to report that the Winthrop Police Department is welcoming two new officers who graduated from the police academy.

Officer Alexis Joyce and Officer Nicholas Disciscio graduated from the Lynnfield MPTC Police Academy on Tuesday, Jan. 17, after an intensive 26-week academy program.

Both officers are Winthrop natives and graduated from Winthrop High School. Joyce went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Salem State University and Disciscio went on to receive a Finance and an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Salem State University.

Both officers will now begin an intensive, 12-week Field Training course under the supervision of veteran officers.

“I’m pleased we were able to hire two well-qualified young adults who have strong backgrounds,” Chief Delehanty. “We are excited to see where their careers at Winthrop Police Department take them.”

Town of Winthrop Offers Safety Tips, Encourages Residents to Stay Alert as Tropical Storm Henri Tracks Toward New England

Tom Zuppa Emergency Management, Fire, Police
Town of Winthrop Offers Safety Tips, Encourages Residents to Stay Alert as Tropical Storm Henri Tracks Toward New England

The Town of Winthrop is recommending that residents stay alert and prepare to take the necessary safety precautions as Tropical Storm Henri is expected to track toward in New England in the coming days.

Town officials are receiving briefings as the situation is updated, and are staying current on storm tracks and forecasts to ensure staffing is in place to deal with any emergency that arises.

According to the National Hurricane Center, as of 11:30 a.m., Tropical Storm Henri is moving west-northwest over the western Atlantic and is about 770 miles south-southwest of Nantucket.

The center of Henri is expected to remain offshore of the East Coast during the next couple of days, but is forecast to track near Cape Cod and the Islands or just offshore Sunday into Monday.

Henri is forecast to intensify into a hurricane on Friday with additional strengthening predicted to occur this weekend. There is a potential for tropical storm or lower-end hurricane force winds along with rough seas. Swells from Henri are expected to reach the East Coast on Friday and continue through the weekend. These swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip currents.

There is a Hurricane Watch in effect for parts of Rhode Island, and a Storm Surge Watch for parts of the South Shore of Massachusetts. However, the exact path and strength of the storm when it gets closer to New England are still uncertain and residents are urged to stay alert and monitor the local forecast.

Stay informed by receiving alerts, warnings, and public safety information before, during and after emergencies.

Safety precautions residents should follow to prepare for a hurricane or tropical storm include:

  • Don’t go out during a hurricane or tropical storm, if possible.
  • Check flashlights and portable radios to confirm they’re working. Fully charge your cell phone, laptop and any other devices before the storm.
  • Check the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
  • If you own a car, making sure its gas tank is at least half full in the event you need to travel. Purchase a car phone charger so that you can charge your device if you lose power at your home.
  • Ensure that you have an emergency kit that has basic medicine and bandages. Include disinfectants, hand sanitizer and other cleaning supplies that you may need in an emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Have an emergency food supply in case of a power outage. People should have supplies to sustain their families for at least 72 hours.
  • Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings (remember to reset them back to normal once power is restored). During an outage, minimize the number of times you open the refrigerator or freezer door.
  • Prepare your home by securing or bringing in outdoor objects (patio furniture, children’s toys, trash cans, etc.) that could be swept away or damaged during strong winds or flooding. Also, elevate items in your basement in case of flooding, check your sump pump, unplug sensitive electronic equipment, park vehicles in areas that are unlikely to flood and remove boats from the water.
  • Bring in boats from moorings or add extra lines to secure them. The Harbormaster will not be responding to boats off of mooring until the storm weakens and it is safe for the crews to respond.
  • MEMA recommends purchasing a generator to maintain electricity in an outage. NEVER run a generator indoors, in a garage or with the exhaust facing the home or home air intakes.
  • Pack a bag with important items in case you need to evacuate. Don’t forget to include needed medications and any valuable personal belongings.
  • Be a good neighbor. Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone, those with medical conditions and those who may need additional assistance.
  • In the event of a hurricane, residents are also encouraged to know if they live or work in a hurricane evacuation zone, develop a family emergency plan and create an emergency kit.

Residents are also encouraged to follow tips provided by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) in the event of flooding:

  • Don’t attempt to drive through large puddles or on flooded roads, which could threaten your safety. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away.
  • If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground. Flash floods are the number one cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S.
  • If floodwaters rise around your car and the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water.
  • Avoid camping or parking along streams, rivers and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.

After a storm passes through the area, residents should remain cautious. Heavy rain and strong winds can cause a multitude of problems like power outages, fallen debris and floods that often block roads and emergency vehicles, prolonging damage.

  • Call 9-1-1 to report emergencies, including downed power lines and gas leaks.
  • Stay away from downed utility wires. Always assume a downed power line is live.
  • If your power is out, follow MEMA’s power outage safety tips. Report power outages to your utility company. Do not call 9-1-1 to report an outage or to ask about power restoration. 

Additional tropical storm and hurricane safety tips offered by MEMA can be found here.

June 1 marked the official start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, which runs through Nov. 30. Historically, most hurricanes and tropical storms that hit New England occur during August and September.

Winthrop Police Arrest East Boston Driver Following Fatal Crash

Tom Zuppa Police
Winthrop Police Arrest East Boston Driver Following Fatal Crash

Chief Terence M. Delehanty reports that the Winthrop Police Department has charged a driver from East Boston following a fatal accident that occurred on Friday afternoon.

KENNETH THOMPSON, AGE 84, of EAST BOSTON, has been charged with:

  • Motor Vehicle Homicide, Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol
  • Failure to Stop/Yield

Winthrop public safety dispatchers received multiple 9-1-1 calls on Friday, Aug. 13, at 3:26 p.m. regarding a two-car accident at the intersection of Hagman Road and Walden Street. First responders from the Winthrop Police Department, Winthrop Fire Department EMS, and Action Ambulance arriving at the scene discovered that the female operator of a Jeep involved in the accident had been critically injured.

First responders performed lifesaving measures on the driver. She was taken by ambulance to Massachusetts General Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.

A preliminary investigation by Winthrop Police suggests that a Hyundai Elantra traveling northbound on Hagman Road, learned to be operated by THOMPSON, collided with the Jeep, traveling on Pauline Street toward Woodside Avenue, at the intersection of Pauline Street, Hagman Road and Walden Street.

The accident continues to be under investigation by the Winthrop Police Department, the State Police Accident Reconstruction Team, and detectives assigned to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.

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

Winthrop Fire Department Responds to Explosion in Residential Building

Tom Zuppa Uncategorized
Winthrop Fire Department Responds to Explosion in Residential Building

WINTHROP – Chief Paul Flanagan reports that the Winthrop Fire Department responded to an explosion in a multi-unit dwelling.

At 10:56 p.m., on Thursday, Aug. 12, Winthrop Fire dispatchers received multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting an explosion at 5 Irwin St. Upon arrival first responders found exterior damage to a basement door. Once inside the building, they discovered there had been an explosion in the laundry in the basement.

Winthrop first responders treated a 57-year-old woman who had been burned severely in the explosion. The woman was later transported by ambulance to Massachusetts General Hospital.

The explosion caused damage on all floors. The Fire Department and Building Commissioner consider the building uninhabitable, due to both the damage and compromised safety devices such as smoke alarms.

Twenty-eight residents from the 14 units have been relocated to area hotels.

The Winthrop Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Suffolk County District Attorney Crime Prevention and Control (CPAC) Unit.

The American Red Cross was instrumental in assisting displaced residents with relocation. The Town also has received an offer of assistance from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency during the weekend, if needed.

The cause of the explosion is under investigation by the Winthrop Fire Department and the state Fire Marshal’s Office.

Winthrop Police, Suffolk District Attorney Investigating Serious Incident

Tom Zuppa Police
Winthrop Police, Suffolk District Attorney Investigating Serious Incident

Three Killed after Apparent Carjacking Incident

WINTHROP — Chief Terence M. Delehanty reports that Winthrop Police, the Massachusetts State Police, and the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office are investigating an incident involving multiple shootings that took place after an allegedly stolen truck crashed into a building in a residential neighborhood on Saturday afternoon.

Winthrop Police responded to a location near the intersection of Shirley and Cross streets at 2:41 p.m. Police also received reports of shots fired.

Upon arrival, police found two people shot. A suspect was identified and located by Winthrop Police a short distance from the scene of the crash. Chief Delehanty confirms that at least one Winthrop Police Officer fired his service weapon, striking the suspect.

The suspect was transported to the hospital where he died from his injuries. One adult female victim was shot and transported to the hospital where she also died from her injuries. One adult male victim was shot and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The officer who shot the suspect was taken to an area hospital for an evaluation but was not seriously injured. The officer will be placed on administrative leave, as is standard procedure, during the investigation of the police shooting by the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office.

A preliminary investigation indicates that the male suspect allegedly stole a box truck owned by a plumbing and drain company and then crashed into a residential building on Veterans Road. Following the crash the suspect emerged from the truck and fled on foot. At some point shortly thereafter, the suspect, who was armed with a firearm, is believed to have shot the two adult victims.

The investigation remains active and ongoing.

As is standard procedure, the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office will have primary jurisdiction over the death investigation.

Chief Delehanty further reports that there is no active threat or danger to the community.

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Town of Winthrop Announces Delivery of New Trash Bins

Tom Zuppa Uncategorized

Interim Town Manager Terence Delehanty and Department of Public Works Director Steven Calla announce that new trash barrels are being delivered to residences throughout town this week and next.

Each new bin will hold 64 gallons of trash. Bins will be distributed as follows:

  • A single-family house will receive one bin.
  • A two-family house will receive two bins.
  • A three-family house will receive three bins.
  • Condo complexes of three units or less will receive one bin per unit.

Each bin will have an individual serial number and tracking chip specific to that address. 

“We strongly urge residents to stencil their new bin with their address and unit,” Manager Delehanty said. “Each bin will be billed to the owner of record for each dwelling and stenciling will eliminate any confusion.”

The new bins are identical to residential recycling bins in use for many years but have blue lids rather than yellow. This will allow the town’s waste hauler to distinguish between trash and recycling.

The Town is drafting new trash regulations, and will update the public when those have been finalized. The Zero Waste Committee is preparing a guide of best practices for solid waste, recycling and composting that will be distributed to members of the community in the coming weeks.

“Our trash hauler will continue to pick up additional trash that is neatly placed beside the bin in an appropriate covered barrel,” Director Calla said. “However, eventually this excess trash will have an additional cost. We ask residents to be mindful about recycling and to make every attempt to put out only enough trash to fit their bin each week.”

All bins should be delivered by the middle of next week. Anyone who has received an additional bin in error or did not receive the correct number of bins per unit is asked to call the Winthrop Department of Public Works at 617-846-1341.