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Winthrop Police Department Shares Package Theft Prevention Tips During Holiday Season

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Winthrop Police Department Shares Package Theft Prevention Tips During Holiday Season

WINTHROP — With the holiday season underway and more people shopping for gifts, Chief Terence M. Delehanty and the Winthrop Police Department would like to provide tips to prevent theft for residents expecting package deliveries in the coming weeks.

According to the National Neighborhood Watch, nearly one in four adults in the United States has reported having a package stolen at least once.

The Winthrop Police Department wishes to share the following tips from the National Neighborhood Watch to help prevent package theft:

  • Consider getting a P.O. box at your local post office or having packages delivered to your office
  • Set up notifications to track your packages
  • Install a security camera in the area(s) outside your home where packages may be delivered
  • Require a signature upon delivery to ensure packages are never left unattended
  • Reschedule delivery or ask for a package hold when on vacation
  • Research potential home security technology and locking device options to protect and monitor packages
  • Ask your neighbors to grab your packages for safekeeping until you return home
  • Sign up for the USPS “Informed Delivery” service, where you can get a daily email with a picture/scan of the mail you will receive that day. To sign up, click here.

If you believe you have fallen victim to package theft, you should do the following:

  • Confirm with your delivery company that your package was actually delivered
  • Identify which package was stolen and what the contents of that package were
  • Contact the police immediately and report your package as stolen
  • If you have a security camera on your home, give a copy of the video to police
  • Report the package theft to the applicable carrier:

Should you happen to witness package theft, do not approach the suspect. Instead, pay attention to what their vehicle looks like and its license plate number. If possible, get a physical description of the suspect to share with the police.

Residents should note that around the holidays mail carriers such as Amazon and FedEx contract independent carriers to help deliver items during the peak season. These independent carriers typically drive their own vehicles that have no affiliation markers. Residents should be mindful of these individuals who are oftentimes mistaken as thieves when dropping off packages on behalf of carriers or delivery companies. As always, though, if you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood report it to the police immediately.

Chief Delehanty would also like to offer tips to holiday shoppers on how to avoid any incidents or theft while shopping in stores and online:

  • As more people are on the road during the holiday season, be sure to drive carefully. Be patient when looking for a parking space. Do not speed up in a parking lot to catch an empty spot. Look for other cars or people when backing out of a parking space, and back out slowly.
  • Keep shopping bags out of plain sight in your vehicle, preferably in your trunk.
  • Keep your purse close to your body or your wallet in an inside coat pocket or front pants pocket.
  • Save your receipts and monitor your credit card activity.
  • When shopping online, stick to retailers you know or have shopped with before.
  • Do not use public Wi-Fi to make purchases in order to prevent hackers from intercepting your information.

 

The men and women of the Winthrop Police Department wish everyone a safe and healthy holiday season!

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Winthrop Public Health Department Issues Warning for Marijuana Laced with Fentanyl

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Winthrop Public Health Department Issues Warning for Marijuana Laced with Fentanyl

WINTHROP — Public Health Director Meredith Hurley would like to issue a warning for marijuana laced with fentanyl.

The Connecticut State Lab recently confirmed the presence of fentanyl in a marijuana sample after numerous people who reported only using marijuana overdosed. 

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid typically used to treat severe pain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, and has been linked to overdoses and death.

“Fentanyl is often disguised with other drugs, and people may not know that they are consuming it,” Director Hurley said. “With the recent discovery of marijuana laced with fentanyl in Connecticut, it is more important than ever to be vigilant and to know the signs of an overdose. Remember, always dial 911 in the event of an overdose.”

The Winthrop Public Health Department wishes to share the following symptoms, which may be signs of an overdose:

  • Small, constricted pupils
  • Falling asleep or loss of consciousness
  • Slow, shallow breathing
  • Choking or gurgling sounds
  • A limp body
  • Pale, blue or cold skin

If residents notice someone that they believe is experiencing an overdose, they should immediately dial 911 and administer Narcan if available. Narcan, otherwise known as Naloxone, is an opioid antagonist that can reverse the effects of a potentially fatal overdose by displacing the drug from the receptors in the brain. Narcan is available for purchase without a prescription at most pharmacies, and health insurance can be used to offset the cost.

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Town of Winthrop Provides Update on Nor’Easter Impacts

jgprstaff Emergency Management
Town of Winthrop Provides Update on Nor’Easter Impacts

The Town of Winthrop has been advised by National Grid that approximately 900 of the 1,000 customers who had been without power in town have had their service restored. Service was initially interrupted at approximately 5:15 a.m., and was restored around 9:30 a.m. National Grid has reported that it expect power to be restored to remaining homes by 1 p.m.

Schools, which had initially been delayed two hours, are closed today as a result of the overnight storm due to downed trees and wires.

Residents are advised to use caution when driving or walking along town roads, and motorists are strongly urged to avoid driving through any standing water.

As of noon, River Road from Bowdoin Street to Cross Street remains closed due to a damaged utility pole.

Scott Wiley Sworn in as Acting Chief of Winthrop Fire Department

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Scott Wiley Sworn in as Acting Chief of Winthrop Fire Department

WINTHROP — Interim Town Manager Terence Delehanty and the Winthrop Fire Department are pleased to announce that Capt. Scott Wiley has been selected to serve as acting Fire Chief. 

Acting Chief Wiley was sworn in on Thursday, Oct. 5. He is taking over for Chief Paul Flanagan, who retired on Sept. 30 following 43 years of dedicated service to the Winthrop community.

“I am proud to be serving the community in this new capacity. I have worked for the town for 30 years, alongside a team of highly trained professionals who are committed to protecting and serving Winthrop residents,” Acting Chief Wiley said. “I am confident that my experience and training have prepared me to lead the department going forward.”

Acting Chief Wiley began his career in the Winthrop Fire Department in 1991 as a firefighter. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2008 and captain in 2012. He was promoted to administrative officer in 2017.

“The town is so grateful for Acting Chief Wiley’s willingness to embrace this new role,” said Chief Delehanty. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and decades of experience to this position. Along with that, he is highly respected by his peers, and I know that he will continue to be an asset to the department.”

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Town of Winthrop Invites Community Members to Farewell Barbecue for Longtime Fire Chief Paul Flanagan

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Town of Winthrop Invites Community Members to Farewell Barbecue for Longtime Fire Chief Paul Flanagan

WINTHROP — The Town of Winthrop wishes to invite community members to bid farewell to longtime Fire Chief Paul Flanagan at a barbecue in honor of his retirement on Thursday.

WHEN:

Thursday, Sept. 30, noon to 2 p.m.

WHERE:

Town Hall Green, 1 Metcalf Square

WHAT:

Friends and residents are invited to a community barbecue to celebrate Chief Flanagan’s 43-year career in fire service. 

Chief Flanagan will officially conclude his tenure on Thursday, Sept. 30. He began his career with the Winthrop Fire Department in 1978 as a firefighter. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1986 and Captain in 1988. He has served as Chief since 2008.

Chief Flanagan’s grandfather, father and brother also served the Winthrop Fire Department. His grandfather served as a Lieutenant, his father as Chief and his brother as Captain. For 118 consecutive years, the family has collectively dedicated 162 years of service to the town.

“Serving as Winthrop’s Fire Chief has been the honor of my lifetime. I leave this office confident that I approached every shift and every day as Chief with the same values that defined my family’s service to both the town and the department,” said Chief Flanagan. “I would like to thank the hundreds of firefighters that I have had the honor of serving with. I have benefited from working for some of the finest officers to ever wear the uniform and have been given the privilege of leading some of the most dedicated, tough and compassionate firefighters in our business for at least some part of each of the past five decades.”

During his tenure as Chief, he spearheaded numerous advancements, including standardizing the department’s engines and helping raise more than $75,000 to install new windows in the stations.

“As Chief, Paul came in every day with the mission to serve and protect the residents of our town. He has truly made our town a better and safer place,” said Town Council President Philip Boncore. “Not only should he be proud of his accomplishments, but also of the accomplishments of his family, who dedicated their lives to service, too. I thank him for his many years of work to make our community safer and stronger. I hope that the community joins us in wishing him the very best in his retirement this Thursday.”

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Winthrop Police Department to Offer Youth Open Recreation Program

jgprstaff Police
Winthrop Police Department to Offer Youth Open Recreation Program

WINTHROP — Chief Terence M. Delehanty is pleased to announce that the Winthrop Police Department is offering a youth open recreation program in partnership with Community Action for Safe Alternatives, and students are encouraged to attend.

This free program is open any student in sixth, seventh or eighth grade who lives in Winthrop. Open recreation will be held every Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. through the fall and winter starting Sept. 17, at Old Winthrop Middle School, 151 Pauline St.

The program is designed to establish positive relationships between the Winthrop Police and the youth in a fun and friendly environment. Different activities are held each week. No sign-up is required.

“This program allows our officers to forge connections with young members of the community through activities that both groups enjoy,” said Chief Delehanty. “If students are interested, we encourage them to simply show up to join in on the fun.”

Funding for this program is provided by the Sen. Charles E. Shannon Grant. The Shannon Community Safety Initiative is a multi-pronged approach to prevent and reduce gang and youth violence.

For more information, please contact Lt. Stephen Rogers by emailing srogers@town.winthrop.ma.us or calling 617-846-1212, ext. 2940.

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Registration Open for Winthrop Police Department’s Civilian Police Academy

jgprstaff Police
Registration Open for Winthrop Police Department’s Civilian Police Academy

WINTHROP — Chief Terence M. Delehanty is pleased to announce that residents can now sign up for the Winthrop Police Department’s Civilian Police Academy this fall.

This free program is open to Winthrop residents age 18 and up. Classes will be held on Thursdays from Oct. 14 through Dec. 30, from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Winthrop Police Department. Classes will not be held the week of Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Various members of the Winthrop Police Department will lead classes in their fields of expertise during the 10 classes. Topics will include domestic violence, police exploring, motor vehicle law, patrol procedures, accidents, firearms, critical incidents, implicit bias, gangs, juveniles, as well as narcotics enforcement, prevention and treatment. Participants will have the opportunity to attend a ride-along with a Winthrop Police officer.

“The goal of this class is to bring community members into the station and give them a clear picture of what it’s like to be a police officer, and we encourage all those with an interest in law enforcement to apply,” said Chief Delehanty. “Participants will learn a great deal about all aspects of police work and leave with a true representation of life as an officer.”

Residents are asked to drop off or mail a completed application to the Winthrop Police Department, 3 Metcalf Square. Mailed applications should be addressed to the care of Lt. Stephen Rogers. For those who prefer to complete the application virtually, please click here.

Residents will be notified by email if they have been accepted into the class. The class is limited to 20 participants.

The Winthrop Police Department will conduct a background check on applicants to determine their acceptance into the academy.

For more information, please contact Lt. Rogers by emailing srogers@town.winthrop.ma.us or calling 617-846-1212 extension 2940.

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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.