Police

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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Update: Shooting Incident

John Guilfoil Police

Police Chief Terence Delehanty reports that the Winthrop Police Department is investigating a serious incident that took place Saturday afternoon in which three people were shot.

Winthrop Police received reports that a large truck had crashed into a building at 2:41 p.m. near the intersection of Shirley and Cross street. Police also received reports of shots fired.

Upon arrival, police found two people found shot. A suspect was identified and located by Winthrop Police. Chief Delehanty confirms that police did fire at the suspect during the encounter. The suspect has sustained serious, life-threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital. At this time, there are no updates on the conditions of the two victims. One police officer was taken to an area hospital for an evaluation but was not seriously injured.

The incident remains under active investigation by Winthrop Police with the assistance of Revere and Boston Police as well as the Massachusetts State Police.

At this time, Chief Delehanty believes there is no further danger to the community, however motorists and members of the public area asked to avoid the area at this time to allow emergency crews and investigators to do their work.

Further updates will be provided as soon as information becomes available.

Winthrop Police Participate in Fair and Impartial Policing Training

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Winthrop Police Participate in Fair and Impartial Policing Training

WINTHROP — Chief Terence Delehanty is pleased to share that the Winthrop Police Department participated in a training hosted by the Fair and Impartial Policing organization this week.

Fair and Impartial Policing (FIP) provides implicit-bias-awareness training to agencies of all types and sizes, including local, state, county and university agencies. Members of the department, including Chief Delehanty and the command staff, as well as members of the community, took part during in-person sessions at the Winthrop Yacht Club. 

Unlike traditional “racial profiling” training, FIP applies decades of research on human bias to the critical decisions police officers make every day. The course delves into how the human mind works, and explores how implicit bias can impact otherwise well-intentioned people beyond what even they can perceive. 

Retired Chief Noble Wray facilitated the program. Wray worked for the Madison Police Department in Madison, Wisconsin for nearly 30 years and retired in 2013 after nine years as Chief.

“It’s extremely encouraging to see a police department the size of Winthrop’s seeking out and dedicating resources to Fair and Impartial Policing,” Wray said. “Many smaller departments feel like they can’t budget for this sort of training, but Chief Delehanty and his team know that the skills and expertise that come from this program are absolutely essential to have as well-rounded law enforcement officers, regardless of the size of the department or community.” 

The program provides participants with the skills they need to reduce or manage implicit biases, in a way that makes them more effective at performing their jobs of enforcing the law and engaging with the community they serve. 

“This educational model is an important part of our department’s commitment to serving our community equitably, fairly and with the highest level of respect,” Chief Delehanty said. “Chief Wray’s expertise in this area is invaluable, and we’re grateful to have the opportunity to learn from him.” 

The training was originally scheduled for March but was postponed until May due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

More information about Fair and Impartial Policing and its training programs can be found here.

 

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Registration Open for 2021 Winthrop Youth Police Academy

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Registration Open for 2021 Winthrop Youth Police Academy

WINTHROP —  Registration is now open for the Winthrop Police Department’s 2021 Youth Police Academy and students are encouraged to sign up.

The program will run from Monday, August 2 to Friday, August 6 and will be held at the Winthrop Police Station. The academy will run daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Students are expected to be dropped off no earlier than 8:15 a.m. and are expected to be picked up promptly at 3 p.m. unless otherwise specified. Students are also expected to bring their own lunch for the week.

This one-week class is free of charge and a t-shirt and hat will be provided to student participants. The program is open to Winthrop residents who are students going into grades seven through nine in the Fall of 2021. 

Space is limited to 20 students, so those interested should sign up early. Participants must be able to attend all days that the program runs. 

At the youth academy, students will attend classroom sessions, including lectures, role-plays, and interactive demonstrations by Winthrop police officers. Classroom activities will include learning about motor vehicle laws, CPR and first aid, defensive tactics, applied patrol procedures, K9 demonstrations, drug recognition, courtroom procedures and more. 

Additionally, student participants will engage in a range of physical activities, including morning physical training. 

“This year will mark the department’s third annual youth police academy,” said Chief Delehanty. “We are excited to be able to host our young cadets once again this summer and show them what Winthrop officers do every day to keep our community safe.” 

All participants will be expected to follow public health guidance relating to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic as appropriate during the program.

The Youth Police Academy is an innovative and effective program for the young people in the community. It’s designed to establish a positive relationship between the Winthrop Police and the youth in the community. The Youth Police Academy is funded by the Senator Charles E. Shannon Grant. The Shannon Community Safety Initiative (CSI) is a multi-pronged approach to prevent and reduce gang and youth violence.

The Academy is intended to: 

  • Expose participating youth through hands-on experience to the various duties associated with the Law Enforcement profession
  • Enhance responsible citizenship
  • Provide positive interaction with police officers including application of 21st century policing model
  • Educate young people about the challenges and responsibilities of police work
  • Participate in team-building activities to build confidence

To apply, please download, print and complete an application here or pick up an application in the Winthrop police station lobby. Completed applications can be dropped off at the station or emailed to srogers@town.winthrop.ma.us.

Applications are currently being accepted and those who wish to participate are encouraged to apply soon while seats remain available. The deadline for applications is July 1, unless the class fills up. 

 

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Winthrop Police Participating in One2One Program to Support Fatal Overdose Prevention

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Winthrop Police Participating in One2One Program to Support Fatal Overdose Prevention

WINTHROP —  Chief Terence Delehanty is pleased to share that the Winthrop Police Department is participating in the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative’s (P.A.A.R.I.) One2One: Engagement to Recovery Initiative. 

Piloted in the spring and summer of 2020, the One2One: Engagement to Recovery initiative empowers police officers and community partners to distribute fentanyl test strip (FTS) kits to those in need, as well as provide referrals to treatment and information about other resources available to those who use drugs and their loved ones. One2One is a pilot-tested, evidence-based, police-led intervention project across Massachusetts and Maine which seeks to increase engagement in substance use related services and supports among people using stimulants and opioids who are at risk of fatal overdose.

The initiative is the result of a partnership between P.A.A.R.I. and Brandeis University, and Winthrop Police joined departments from Maine and Massachusetts to begin the program on Friday, Feb. 26. 

“Our department is committed to doing everything we can to prevent overdoses and help those struggling with drug use, as well as their loved ones, to ensure those who need help are connected to the resources and supports available in our community,” Chief Delehanty said. “This program is a tremendous asset as we continue to work to combat the opioid epidemic, and we’re deeply appreciative of the guidance, education and materials P.A.A.R.I. is connecting us to through this effort.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2019 more than 36,000 people died from overdoses including synthetic opioids.

Nearly half of all drug overdose deaths in the U.S are associated with illicitly manufactured fentanyl, which is now used alone and found in heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and counterfeit opioid pills. New England is particularly hard-hit by illicit fentanyl, which is highly potent and thus prone to cause accidental overdose. Research has shown that FTS is a feasible, useful tool linked to increased self-efficacy and important safety and drug use behavior changes.

Through the One2One program, P.A.A.R.I. will provide training for officers and community partners on how to distribute the FTS kits as well as the kits themselves. P.A.A.R.I. will also provide training on how to offer referrals, share information about relevant services, and provide other selected tools to kit recipients.

The Winthrop Police Department is also directly involved in the Winthrop multidisciplinary C.L.E.A.R. Team formed in 2014 to reduce and prevent overdoses in the community. The team continues to evolve and is currently comprised of public safety and public health personnel who use police data to find and help people struggling with mental health, substance use and domestic violence challenges.

If you or a loved one is in need of assistance, or if you’d like to request a kit with three fentanyl test strips, which can be mailed, dropped off, or picked up at the station, please contact Lt. Sarko Gergerian at 617.846.1852 X 1062 and/ or sgergerian@town.winthrop.ma.us. 

Members of the community are also reminded to always call 911 in an emergency. 

For information about the One2One program, visit paariusa.org/one2one.

About P.A.A.R.I.

The Police Assisted Addiction & Recovery Initiative (P.A.A.R.I.) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help law enforcement agencies nationwide create non-arrest pathways to treatment and recovery. Founded alongside the groundbreaking Gloucester, Mass. Police Department Angel Initiative in June 2015, P.A.A.R.I. has been a driving force behind this rapidly expanding community policing movement. P.A.A.R.I. provides technical assistance, coaching, grants, and other capacity-building resources to more than 600 police departments in 35 states. P.A.A.R.I. currently works with more than 130 law enforcement agencies in Massachusetts alone. P.A.A.R.I. and our law enforcement partners are working towards a collective vision where non-arrest diversion programs become a standard policing practice across the country, thereby reducing overdose deaths, expanding access to treatment, improving public safety, reducing crime, diverting people away from the criminal justice system, and increasing trust between law enforcement and their communities. P.A.A.R.I.’s programs and partners have saved thousands of lives, changed police culture, reshaped the national conversation about the opioid epidemic and have placed over 24,000 people into treatment since its founding in June 2015. Learn more at paariusa.org.

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Winthrop Police Arrest Boston Man Following Drug Investigation

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Winthrop Police Arrest Boston Man Following Drug Investigation

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Chief Terence Delehanty reports the Winthrop Police Department arrested a Boston man on drug and firearm charges following an extensive drug investigation.

JOSEPH PACI JR., AGE 45 OF BOSTON, was arrested and charged with:

  • Trafficking in 10 grams or more of Fentanyl 
  • Possession of a Class B Substance (Methadone) with Intent to Distribute (Subsequent Offense)
  • Possession of a Class D Substance (Marijuana) with Intent to Distribute (Subsequent Offense)
  • Possession of a Class C Substance (Steroids)
  • Carrying a Dangerous Weapon
  • Possession of a Sawed-Off Shotgun
  • Felon in Possession of a Firearm
  • Firearm Violation with Three Prior Violent/Drug Crimes
  • Improper Storage of a Firearm
  • Unlawful Possession of Ammunition
  • Possession of a Firearm Without a License

On Wednesday, Feb. 24 just before noon, members of the Winthrop Police Department assisted by the Boston Police Narcotics Unit arrested PACI while executing a search warrant at his apartment on Webster Avenue in East Boston. Winthrop Police began their investigation several months ago after they received information that PACI was allegedly selling fentanyl in the Town of Winthrop.

During a subsequent search of his residence, police found several clear plastic bags of suspected fentanyl, glass vials of suspected steroids, pills believed to be methadone, approximately half a pound of suspected marijuana, a 20-gauge sawed-off shotgun, ammunition, approximately $3,900 in cash and other items related to the sale of narcotics.

Police also obtained a search warrant to seize PACI’s gray 2010 Hyundai Sonata, where police found a double-edged knife and sheath. 

PACI is currently being held on $25,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in the East Boston District Court on March 23 for a probable cause hearing.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Winthrop Officials Investigating Cyber Attack on Town, School Servers

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Winthrop Officials Investigating Cyber Attack on Town, School Servers

No Confidential Data Accessed During Attack

Town Manager Austin Faison, Superintendent Lisa Howard and Police Chief Terence Delehanty report that Winthrop Public Schools and the Town of Winthrop were the victim of a cyber attack on Thursday, but that no confidential data was accessed in the attack.

On Thursday, Feb. 4, the district’s technology investigations team informed administrators that the Town and school district servers were the target of a malicious computer attack which prevented students and teachers from utilizing internet-based resources such as Google Classroom, email, video conferencing and other services while in school buildings. This attack also caused a disruption for town municipal offices.

The attack, known as a Distributed Denial of Service attack (DDoS), is designed to overwhelm the bandwidth resources with large amounts of data, which is what prevented students and teachers from accessing the online learning resources. No student, employee or financial data was accessed as a result of the attack.

“I appreciate everyone’s patience as we meet these challenges head-on and continue to hold student learning and safety as our top priority,” Superintendent Howard said. “I will update you again as we move through the process of recovering from this unanticipated and unwarranted attack on our school district and town.”

“Thank you to all who worked swiftly to address this issue and protect the confidential data from this attack,” Town Manager Faison said. “We are following all mandatory reporting requirements regarding data privacy breaches, and will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates to the community as needed.”

School and Town officials are working with their internet service provider and technology experts to correct the issues and restore service as soon as possible. Additional safeguards will also be implemented to protect the servers from future attacks.

At this time, there will be no changes to the Winthrop Public Schools hybrid learning schedule, though students may encounter some interruptions until all alternate internet connections have been set up for teachers.

The Winthrop Police Department, in conjunction with state and federal agencies, are investigating the matter and are working to identify the source of the attack.

Winthrop Public Health Director and Police Sergeant Share Opioid Recovery Support Efforts With Colleagues Nationwide

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Winthrop Public Health Director and Police Sergeant Share Opioid Recovery Support Efforts With Colleagues Nationwide

WINTHROP — Town Manager Austin Faison and Police Chief Terence Delehanty are pleased to share that Winthrop’s Public Health Director and a Police Sergeant showcased the town’s efforts to support those recovering from substance use during a webinar with colleagues from across the country. 

On Wednesday, Jan. 27, Health Director Meredith Hurley and Sgt. Sarko Gergerian presented on the Winthrop Recovery Model, of which Sgt. Gergerian is a founding member, at the Peer Support in Law Enforcement Diversion Programs webinar. The model has been recognized nationally for its success in outreach, peer support and community-oriented recovery. 

“This was a tremendous opportunity to connect with peers in policing throughout the country and share the success we’ve had and challenges we’ve faced in implementing our recovery based diversion program,” Sgt. Gergerian said. “We’re extremely grateful for the opportunity, and are eager to continue working with those interested in bringing similar approaches to their communities.” 

Winthrop’s was one of two police department diversion programs — along with Tucson, Arizona’s — featured yesterday. The program was put together by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant and Substance Abuse Program (COSSAP). Sgt. Gergerian and Hurley presented to 278 participants from law enforcement agencies nationwide at the webinar.

In their presentation, Hurley and Sgt. Gergerian outlined their program model, including how it integrates peer specialists to support recovery and how those specialists are trained to provide peer services. They also identified the importance of stakeholder relationships, like Winthrop’s partnerships with Boston Medical Center, East Boston District Court, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative. 

Hurley and Sgt. Gergerian outlined the outcomes of the program, including connecting over 80 people to recovery resources since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Winthrop Police have also distributed more than 20 overdose survival kits since the beginning of the pandemic.

Winthrop has been identified as a federal mentor site for 2021, which empowers the department to provide training on its diversion model to communities throughout the U.S. As mentors, Gergerian and Hurley will serve as subject matter experts assisting with the development of public health and safety partnerships that want to use peer-based support services to support recovery.

“Recovery is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach, and we’re pleased to be able to share what’s worked in Winthrop and how we’ve developed our model over several years,” Hurley said. “It was very encouraging to see hundreds of people from across the country taking an interest in this topic and exploring how they can implement or expand their own recovery-based models and get those struggling with addiction and other challenges the help they need.”

The Winthrop Recovery Model also emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, with knowledge spanning nursing, mental health counseling, recovery coaching and policing to help people with housing difficulties, food scarcity, domestic violence, mental health and substance use disorders and more. Through that approach, the Winthrop team connects those in need to psychiatric resources, medical support and inpatient recovery placements.

 

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