Winthrop Public Safety

Turn Back Your Clocks, Check Your Smoke Alarms; Daylight Saving Time Ends Nov. 3

Camryn Langille October 31, 2024 Fire

Daylight Saving Time (DST) ends Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2 a.m. and clocks will move back one hour.

Properly installed and maintained smoke alarms are vital in reducing deaths and injuries caused by fire. They give everyone in the home an early warning and time to escape.

Be prepared, turn your clocks back one hour, and check your smoke and CO alarms.

For more information about smoke/CO alarm safety, visit the National Fire Protection Agency’s website

Winthrop Police Department Shares Halloween Safety Tips

Camryn Langille October 28, 2024 Police

Police Chief John Goodwin and the Winthrop Police Department would like to share safety tips so residents can stay safe while trick-or-treating.

Winthrop will be celebrating Halloween on Thursday, Oct. 31. From sunset to approximately 9 p.m., the Maze area will be closed to public traffic, allowing for resident vehicles only. There is public parking along Ingleside Park on Walden Street.

“We hope that everyone has a safe and happy Halloween,” said Chief Goodwin. “To accomplish this, it is imperative that parents and children review and adhere to safety practices. Everyone plays a role on this holiday to ensure a safe and fun evening of trick-or-treating.”

The Department would like the share the following safety tips to help keep community members safe this Halloween:

Costume Safety:

Below are some tips from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help you and your loved ones enjoy a safe and happy Halloween.

All costumes, wigs and accessories should be fire-resistant. If you make your costume, use flame-resistant fabrics such as polyester or nylon.
If children are allowed out after dark, they should fasten reflective tape to their costumes and bags or be given flashlights or glow sticks.
When buying Halloween makeup, ensure it is nontoxic and always test it 24-48 hours in advance in a small area first. If a rash, redness, swelling or other signs of irritation develop where the makeup was applied, that’s a sign of a possible allergy.
Remove all makeup before children go to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation.
Don’t decorate your face with things not intended for your skin.
Don’t wear decorative or colored contact lenses that appear to change how your eyes look due to the risk of eye injury unless you have seen an eye care professional for a proper fitting and have been given instructions for how to use the lenses.
Ensure costumes properly fit and are not too long. Long costumes could result in accidental falls or tripping.
If wearing a mask, make sure you can see clearly out of it to avoid injuries such as falling or walking into things.

Trick-or-Treating Safety:

According to the National Safety Council, children are more than twice as likely to be struck by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. To help prevent such a tragedy, parents and trick-or-treaters are urged to consider these tips before heading out:

A responsible adult should accompany young children on the neighborhood rounds.
If your older children are going alone, plan and review a route acceptable for you.
Agree on a specific time children should return home.
Teach your children never to enter a stranger’s home or car.
Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends.
Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home.
Children and adults are reminded to put electronic devices down, keep their heads up, and walk, don’t run, across the street.

Driving Safety:

The following tips, courtesy of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, can help keep the roads safe on Halloween:

On Halloween, there will likely be more pedestrians on the roads and in places where they are not expected. Slower speeds save lives. Continue to scan the road in areas where they are likely to be or where sight distances are limited.
Be alert for pedestrians who may emerge from between parked cars or behind shrubbery. Stop and wait for them to pass.
Don’t drive distracted. Keep your eyes on the road, your mind on driving and your hands on the wheel.
Don’t drive impaired. Designate a sober driver or use a taxi or rideshare service. Contact law enforcement if you see a potentially impaired driver on the road.
Remember that social host liability laws may hold you responsible for parties where underage people drink, regardless of who furnishes the alcohol. You could be held legally accountable for your guests’ behavior after they leave.
Discourage new, inexperienced drivers from driving on Halloween.

Winthrop Police wishes all a happy, fun and safe evening of trick-or-treating on Halloween!

Stay Safe this Halloween

Camryn Langille October 28, 2024 Fire

The night of Oct. 31 is quickly approaching. Children will be out trick-or-treating, and everyone should take precautions to keep Halloween a safe event. From wearing appropriate attire to checking your children’s candy to driving safely, everyone plays a role on this holiday.

Young children should always be accompanied by responsible adults and parents and guardians should set clear rules and expectations for older children who are going out alone. If you’re out driving on Halloween night, please take extra precautions and give yourself extra time to get wherever you’re going.

For tips about costumes, candy and more from the Food and Drug Administration, visit: https://tinyurl.com/HalloweenFDA

For tips about Halloween driving safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, visit: https://tinyurl.com/HalloweenNHTSA

Winthrop Fire wishes everyone a safe and happy Halloween!

Thank You, First Responders!

Camryn Langille October 28, 2024October 23, 2024 Fire, Police

National First Responders Day honors all the men and women who respond to emergencies to ensure the public’s safety — paramedics, EMTs, firefighters, police officers, and 911 operators. These workers sacrifice their time and risk their personal safety to protect citizens, and National First Responders Day is an opportunity to recognize their bravery and heroism. On behalf of the entire department, we extend our appreciation and support to the first responders working to keep our community safe.

Winthrop PD Shares School Bus Safety Tips

Camryn Langille October 21, 2024October 17, 2024 Police

During the third full week of October each year, National School Bus Safety Week (Oct. 21-25 this year) is a public education program for students, teachers, motorists, school bus drivers, school administrators and others to address the importance of school bus safety. Whether it’s how and where children should stand waiting for a school bus or how kids should sit while on a bus, everyone plays a role in bus safety.

For more information on National School Bus Safety Week and important tips, visit: https://www.napt.org/nsbsw

Winthrop Police Department Receives $19,259 State Grant to Improve Road Safety

Payton Hebert October 2, 2024 Police

Police Chief John Goodwin is pleased to share that the Winthrop Police Department has been awarded $19,258.80 in state grant funding to improve road safety.

The Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded more than $12.4 million in funding through the Municipal Road Safety, State Agency Traffic Safety, and Underserved Communities Traffic Safety Grant Programs.

The programs utilize federal funding awarded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The funds are managed and administered in Massachusetts by the Office of Grants and Research (OGR).

The Winthrop Police Department received funding through the Municipal Road Grant Safety Program. The funding will allow departments to afford road safety initiatives such as traffic safety enforcement, bicyclist and pedestrian safety enforcement, non-enforcement activities such as training or community events, and the purchase of traffic safety equipment or other community safety items such as bike helmets.

The Winthrop Police Department will use its funding to heighten patrols and execute campaigns targeted toward road safety concerns such as distracted and impaired driving, speeding, and crosswalk violations.

“This funding creates opportunities for us to create safer roadways for pedestrians, drivers, cyclists and other community members,” said Chief Goodwin. “We are very grateful to receive this funding, and we are eager to put it to use in our community.”

Town of Winthrop Invites Community to Third Annual Recovery Event

jgprrobert September 10, 2024 Uncategorized

WINTHROP — Health Director Meredith Hurley reports that the Town of Winthrop is inviting the community to attend the town’s third-annual Recovery Event to honor those who have overcome substance use disorder and to remember those who have been lost to it.

WHEN:

Thursday, Sept. 26, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

WHERE:

Winthrop Town Hall lawn, 1 Metcalf Square, Winthrop, MA

WHAT:

The town’s third-annual Recovery Event will honor those who have overcome substance use disorder, and remember those who have been lost to it.

The event will begin at the lawn of Winthrop Town Hall at 5:30 p.m., with several speakers scheduled and resource tables providing information on substance use disorder and treatments. Light refreshments will be served.

Afterward, participants will be given candles for a candlelight walk from Town Hall to French Square.

The Town of Winthrop Health Department has also partnered with Recovery on the Harbor in East Boston to launch a Purple Ribbon Campaign throughout the month of September.

The Purple Ribbon Campaign seeks to raise awareness of substance use disorder, to end overdose stigma, and to honor those who have passed away as a result of substance use disorder.

Mosquitos in Winthrop Test Positive for West Nile Virus; Community Members Urged to Take Precautions

jgprrobert August 29, 2024 Uncategorized

WINTHROP — Health Director Meredith Hurley reports that a mosquito tested in Winthrop has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) and that the town’s risk level has now been increased to high risk for WNV infection.

As a result, the Town of Winthrop is sharing safety tips to help prevent mosquito bites and the transmission of WNV.

A mosquito from ongoing monitoring on Monday in the northeast area of Winthrop tested positive for WNV. The town was notified of the results on Thursday.

In Massachusetts, public health surveillance is done for two mosquito-borne viruses — West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The period of highest risk of getting either disease can be from late July through the fall, until the first frost.

Mosquitoes get WNV and EEE by biting infected birds. People and animals can get these diseases by being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Most people bitten by mosquitoes carrying WNV will experience no symptoms or very mild symptoms and will recover on their own. Persons over 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe WNV disease.

The Town of Winthrop and the Winthrop Health Department offer the following tips so that residents may protect themselves and their loved ones.

Avoid Mosquito Bites — Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening, after 6 p.m. or early morning. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing. Mosquitoes can be active during daylight hours when the temperatures are cool.

Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it is hot, wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Apply Insect Repellent When You Go Outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023) or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants younger than 2 months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children younger than 3 years of age.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home — Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.

Install or Repair Screens. Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly fitted screens on all windows and doors.

The state offers useful information about West Nile Virus here.

Information about WNV and EEE is also available by calling the DPH recorded information line at 1-866-MASS-WNV (1-866-627-7968), or the DPH Epidemiology Program at 617-983-6800. There is a helpful fact sheet located at https://www.mass.gov/doc/wnv-factsheet-english/download.

Winthrop Police Warn Residents about Bitcoin Scams, Offer Safety Tips for Avoiding Them

jgprrobert August 23, 2024 Police

WINTHROP — Police Chief John Goodwin and the Winthrop Police Department would like to warn the public about an increasing number of scams involving Bitcoin ATM machines, and offers the public safety tips to help avoid scams.

Bitcoin scams are particularly challenging because it is extremely difficult to retrieve any money that is deposited into Bitcoin ATM machines, which scammers often demand. The Winthrop Police Department advises residents to ignore any calls or emails that demand they deposit money into Bitcoin ATM machines.

“Bitcoin scams are particularly difficult for us to investigate and help with, because once money has been deposited into a Bitcoin ATM it is almost impossible to get the money back,” said Chief Goodwin. “These scams seem to target the elderly in particular. The Winthrop Police Department urges residents to call us immediately if anyone calls you asking for money, gift cards, or directs you to withdraw money or provide financial information. Please call the police before engaging in those types of transactions.”

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers the following four signs to help people recognize possible scams:

Scammers pretend to be from an organization you know. They might use a real name, like the Social Security Administration, the IRS, or Medicare, or make up a name that sounds official. Some pretend to be from a business you know, like a utility company, a tech company, or even a charity asking for donations.
Scammers say there’s a problem or prize. They might say you’re in trouble with the government, that you owe money, that someone in your family had an emergency, or that there’s a virus on your computer. Some scammers say there’s a problem with one of your accounts and that you need to verify some information. Others will lie and say you won money in a lottery or sweepstakes but have to pay a fee to get it.
Scammers pressure you to act immediately. They might tell you not to hang up so you can’t check out their story. They might threaten to arrest you, sue you, take away your driver’s or business license, or deport you. They might say your computer is about to be corrupted.
Scammers tell you to pay in a specific way. They often insist that you pay by sending money through Bitcoin, a money transfer company or by putting money on a gift card and then giving them the number on the back. Some will send you a check (that will later turn out to be fake), tell you to deposit it, and then send them money.

The FTC also recommends that if you get an email or text message from a company you do business with and you think it’s real, it’s still best not to click on any links. Instead, contact them using a website you know is trustworthy, or look up their phone number. Don’t call a number they gave you or the number from your caller ID.

Residents who believe they may have fallen victim to such a scam, or who believe they may be communicating with would-be scammers, are encouraged to contact the Winthrop Police Department at 617-846-1212.

Winthrop Police Remind Residents of Laws Regarding Scooters, Mopeds and Motorcycles

jgprrobert August 20, 2024 Police

WINTHROP — Police Chief John Goodwin and the Winthrop Police Department have noticed an increasing amount of scooters and mopeds on the roads of Winthrop and would like to remind residents of the following laws and safety guidelines for operating such vehicles.

The Winthrop Police Department plans to increase enforcement of laws regarding mopeds, scooters and motorcycles, but first would like to remind all residents of those laws, and the different definitions of scooter, moped and motorcycle.

“Scooters and mopeds are a lot of fun, but they can also be dangerous when used incorrectly and illegally,” said Chief Goodwin. “I urge all Winthrop residents who intend to ride a scooter, moped or motorcycle to familiarize themselves with the laws surrounding these vehicles.”

Motorized Scooters

A “motorized scooter” is defined as being any two-wheeled tandem or three-wheeled device that has handlebars, can be stood or sat upon by the operator and is powered by an electric or gas-powered motor. Motorized scooters do not include mopeds, motorcycles, or motorized wheelchairs.

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles does not register motorized scooters because they are not recognized as motor vehicles. In addition, motorized scooters have many operating restrictions:

They cannot be operated at speeds greater than 20 mph.
Cannot be ridden on state highways or limited access roadways.
Cannot be ridden after sunset or before sunrise.
Operators cannot carry passengers.
Operators must be 16 years of age and have a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit.
Operators must keep to the right side of public ways at all times, including when passing a motor vehicle.
Operators must use the proper electronic and hand signals before stopping or turning.
Operators must wear an approved safety helmet.
Operators are subject to all state traffic laws and regulations.

Motorized Bicycle, or Moped

A “motorized bicycle” is defined as being any pedal bicycle which has a helper motor or a non-pedal bicycle with a motor that does not exceed 50 cubic centimeters of cylinder capacity, has an automatic transmission and cannot attain a speed over 30 miles per hour.

Motorized Bicycles are regulated by a registration process with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Applications can be downloaded online at massrmv.com or are available at any registry branch. Operators must have a registration decal affixed to the rear of the vehicle and are subject to the following operating restrictions:

They cannot be operated at speeds greater than 25mph.
Cannot be ridden on state highways or limited access roadways where signs prohibiting bicycles are posted.
Cannot be ridden on off-street recreational paths but can use bicycle lanes along roadways.
Operators must use the proper electronic and hand signals before stopping or turning.
Operators must be 16 years of age and have a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit.
Operators and passengers must wear approved safety helmets.
Operators are subject to all state traffic laws and regulations.
Operators cannot carry a passenger while operating on a permit.

Motorcycles

A motorcycle is defined as any motor vehicle that has a seat or saddle for the rider that is designed to travel with no more than three wheels contacting the ground, except a golf cart, an industrial three-wheeled truck, a motor vehicle in which the operator and passenger ride within an enclosed cab, or a moped.

Motorcycles are considered motor vehicles and must be registered as a motorcycle under the following criteria:

The certificate of origin (C/O) identifies the body type as a “motorcycle.”
It meets the state law definition of a motorcycle.
The manufacturer certifies the vehicle meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for a motorcycle.

Motorcycles must be operated with the following restrictions:

Operator and passenger must wear an approved helmet.
Operator must wear appropriate eye protection unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield or screen.
Operator must have a proper Class M license or motorcycle endorsement.

For guidance from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles on whether your vehicle is a scooter, moped or motorcycle, click here.

###

« Previous