Winthrop Police

Winthrop Community and Law Enforcement Assisted Recovery (CLEAR) Selected to Be 1 of 8 National Mentor Programs

jgprrobert Police
Winthrop Community and Law Enforcement Assisted Recovery (CLEAR) Selected to Be 1 of 8 National Mentor Programs

Chief Terence M. Delehanty and Health Director Meredith Hurley are pleased to share that the Community and Law Enforcement Assisted Recovery (CLEAR) program was selected by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to serve as one of eight mentor programs for other peer-to-peer recovery programs across the nation.

The BJA’s Peer Recovery Support Services Mentoring Initiative (PRSSMI) selects top peer-to-peer recovery programs from across the country to serve as examples that can support newer programs and agencies that are interested in starting programs by supporting program-to-program learning among organizations.

CLEAR was born in 2014 as a collaboration between Winthrop public safety agencies and Winthrop Department of Public Health and Clinical Services. The organization has expanded and developed in the years since, and now includes a robust, multidisciplinary team of service providers and helpers who wrap around community members struggling with mental health challenges, substance use issues, domestic violence, housing insecurity, and food scarcity.

Police, firefighters and public health personnel use police data to identify and find those struggling with substance use disorder, mental health issues, and domestic violence challenges and works to provide assistance and wrap-around services to those individuals in an effort to get them into recovery and to support them in the recovery process.

CLEAR, along with programs in California, Montana, Nebraska, Texas, Oklahoma, North Carolina and Alabama were selected as mentor programs this year after a vetting process that included an application and interviews.

Mentor programs will now be singled out to provide examples of best practices to those interested in starting new programs and those with programs in the early stages of development.

“In 2014, 21st Century Policing began in Winthrop, when Public Safety and Public Health partnered to help respond to the overdose crisis. With input from outside the box thinkers and people with lived experience, we developed a recovery-oriented community policing methodology, known as CLEAR,  that utilizes police data for targeted interventions into the community to prevent people from ending up in cages and coffins,” said Lt. Sarko Gergerian, a founding member of CLEAR. “The multidisciplinary team of helpers that formed around this core mission work together to circle around any community member who accepts the help. It is an honor to be able to help others from across the United States to begin their own public safety and health partnerships and develop multidisciplinary teams of helpers that value individuals with lived experience.”

“We are pleased that the Bureau of Justice Assistance recognized CLEAR for it’s groundbreaking and effective work to curb the toll drug overdoses and substance use disorder on our community,” said Chief Delehanty. “I hope the hard work of our local organization will help others across the country overcome obstacles, identify best practices, and save lives.”

“CLEAR is doing vital, life-saving work in our community and we could not be more proud that our local effort will now provide an example to others around the country who are working to save lives from the scourges of substance use disorder and the mental health crisis,” said Director Hurley. “Our evidence-based practices and results-focused work continues to save lives locally, and we hope this type of programming will spread across the country.”

For more information on CLEAR, visit: https://winthropclear.com/.

Winthrop Police and Fire Respond After Recycling Truck Crashes Into Utility Pole

jgprstaff Fire, Police
Winthrop Police and Fire Respond After Recycling Truck Crashes Into Utility Pole

WINTHROP 一 Police Chief Terence M. Delehanty and Fire Chief Scott Wiley report that the Winthrop Police and Fire Departments responded after a recycling truck struck a utility pole this afternoon. 

On Monday, Aug. 8, at approximately 1 p.m., Winthrop Police and Fire were dispatched to the area of Foam Street for a report of a single-vehicle crash. Upon arrival, first responders found that a recycling truck had backed into a utility pole, causing the power transformer to fall to the ground. 

Due to damage to the transformer, there are power outages on Foam Street and on Siren Street up to the Shirley Street intersection.

The Winthrop Fire Department has opened a cooling center for affected residents at the Robert DeLeo Senior Center, 35 Harvard St.

National Grid is at the scene working to restore power. Power is expected to be restored in three hours. 

Foam Street will remain closed while repairs remain ongoing.

No injuries were reported.

The incident remains under investigation by the Winthrop Police Department.

###

Winthrop Police Officer Receives Community Service Award from Massachusetts Association for Women in Law Enforcement

jgprstaff Police
Winthrop Police Officer Receives Community Service Award from Massachusetts Association for Women in Law Enforcement

WINTHROP — Chief Terence M. Delehanty is proud to share that Winthrop Police Officer Samantha Ferrino was honored recently with a Community Service Award from the Massachusetts Association for Women in Law Enforcement.

Officer Ferrino was presented the award on Thursday, June 16, at an annual training event in Canton.

Lt. Mary Crisafi nominated Officer Ferrino for her commitment to the Town of Winthrop and community members.

Officer Ferrino regularly interacts with the community through the Citizens Police Academy, Youth Police Academy, the Christmas Toy Drive, the Shannon Grant Open Gym Program, and as a court-appointed special advocate.

“Officer Ferrino’s positive impact on the Town of Winthrop cannot be measured. She is a shining example of going above and beyond in service to the community, and is a role model to fellow officers,” Chief Delehanty said. “Congratulations to her on this well-deserved recognition.”

###

From left: Officer Jennifer Adamson, Lt. Steve Rogers, Officer Samantha Ferrino, and Lt. Mary Crisafi. (Photo Courtesy Winthrop Police Department)

(UPDATE #8: 6/30/21 5:20 p.m.) Town of Winthrop Issues Security Reminder for Thursday’s Vigil

Leah Comins Police
(UPDATE #8: 6/30/21 5:20 p.m.) Town of Winthrop Issues Security Reminder for Thursday’s Vigil

WINTHROP – Terence Delehanty, Winthrop Police Chief who also serves as the community’s interim Town Manager wishes to provide an update regarding security precautions at Thursday’s candlelight vigil, which follows the shocking and hateful murders that occurred in the community last weekend.

“The Winthrop Police Department is treating the security of this vigil and the safety of mourners and attendees with upmost care and consideration. We have brought in the vast and exceptional mutual aid resources at our disposal and are in constant communication with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the Massachusetts State Police,” Chief Delehanty said. “As we are expecting relatives of both murder victims to attend and speak, it is our aim to provide a proper, safe and solemn platform on which to grieve and remember the lives lost.”

There will be a significant police presence, and security will be a top priority to ensure a safe and secure vigil. Absolutely no backpacks, handbags, coolers or bags of any kind will be permitted. While there have not been specific threats received against the vigil, the Winthrop Police Department and its public safety partners are taking all precautions.

Mutual aid resources including NEMLEC member agencies, State Police and Boston Police will be assisting Winthrop Police. The department has also been in communication with federal law enforcement agencies.

The vigil will have a limited speaking program at the request of the victims’ families. The Town of Winthrop wishes to provide a proper forum for these families to remember and mourn their loved ones, and the vigil has been planned with significant input from the families.

Members of the area’s inter-faith religious community will lead and introduce the vigil program.

Town offices and the Winthrop Public Library will close at 4 p.m. on Thursday to prepare for the service.

Representatives from a multitude of support services, including the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, religious organizations, the Winthrop Public Health Crisis Intervention Team, the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center and the Boston Public Health Commission, will be present to assist residents who may be experiencing emotional responses, as well as provide support and resources for dealing with trauma.

School adjustment counselors and other school representatives also will be present at the vigil. The Winthrop Public Health Department will be on-site and available in the Harvey Hearing Room on the ground floor of Town Hall to connect with residents in need of support or counseling services.

###

Winthrop Police Thank Community Members, Partner Agencies for Support During Saturday’s Critical Incident

Leah Comins Police
Winthrop Police Thank Community Members, Partner Agencies for Support During Saturday’s Critical Incident

WINTHROP — Chief Terence Delehanty offers the following statement thanking the many community members and mutual aid agencies who provided support during Saturday’s critical incident:

“We are very appreciative of the Winthrop community for their support during yesterday’s incident. Many residents and business owners brought food and water for the officers and investigators who were at the scene well into the night, as well as brought refreshments to the station. I would also like to thank the community members in the area of the scene who were cooperative and patient while we investigated for many hours Saturday and Sunday.

“I would like to thank and recognize the Massachusetts State Police, Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Winthrop Fire Department, Boston Police Department, Revere Police Department, Chelsea Police Department, Transit Police, the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) and all of the other agencies who were on standby and had offered to assist throughout the day. We are fortunate to have a sound mutual aid network with many partners we can call on during large-scale, fluid incidents.

“Saturday’s incident demonstrates the fluidity and dynamic nature of the calls officers can respond to on any given day, and I would like to recognize the Winthrop Police sergeant and the other officers who were involved in yesterday’s incident. The sergeant’s heroic actions ended a threat to our community and I am proud to have him as a part of this department.

“Any incident ending in the loss of life is tragic and I would like to express my condolences to the families who lost a loved one yesterday. Retired Trooper David Green, one of the bystanders killed, had a long and commendable career with the Massachusetts State Police and we honor his service. Our thoughts are also with the family of Ramona Cooper who was the other bystander killed. She was a U.S. Air Force veteran and we honor her service to our country.”

###

Winthrop Police Participating in One2One Program to Support Fatal Overdose Prevention

jgprstaff Police
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.

###

Winthrop Police Announce Retirement of Sgt. Judy Racow 

jgprstaff Police
Winthrop Police Announce Retirement of Sgt. Judy Racow 

Sgt. Racow Retires after Nearly 30 Years of Service, including Awards for Bravery and Actions Beyond the Call of Duty

Sgt. Judy Racow. (Courtesy Photo Winthrop Police Department)

WINTHROP — Chief Terence Delehanty announces the retirement of a longtime member of the Winthrop Police Department.

Sgt. Judy Racow joined the Winthrop Police Department in August 1993 and spent much of her career as a detective, having served as the department’s first female detective. 

Sgt. Racow has received numerous commendations and awards for bravery and actions beyond the call of duty during her long career in law enforcement. She received the Narcotics Enforcement Officers Award in 1996 from the New England Narcotic Officers Association. She also received the department community service award in 1996, having organized the Winthrop Police Department holiday toy drive for many years.

In 1996, while investigating drug case, then-Officer Racow was working undercover when a drug suspect tried to kidnap her. She struggled with the suspect and ultimate helped make the arrest. For her actions, she was honored with the George L. Hanna Memorial Award for Bravery by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

Sgt. Racow is also a military veteran and veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

“We are grateful for Sgt. Racow’s many years of service to her community, and on behalf of the entire Winthrop Police Department, I wish her all the best in her next chapter,” Chief Delehanty said.

###

Missing Winthrop Juvenile Found Safe

jgprstaff Police
Missing Winthrop Juvenile Found Safe

Chief Terence Delehanty reports that the Winthrop Police Department has safely located a juvenile resident who had been missing since Sept. 17.

The 13-year-old female went missing from Winthrop late Thursday night. She was found safe by the Winthrop Police Department.

The Winthrop Police Department would like to thank the community for their assistance and support in locating the missing female.

The Winthrop Police Department has no reason to believe that any foul play was involved.

 

###

Winthrop Police Department to Take Part in Multi-Agency Drills

jgprstaff Police
Winthrop Police Department to Take Part in Multi-Agency Drills

WINTHROP — Chief Terence Delehanty announces the Winthrop Police Department is participating in two multi-agency drills organized by the U.S. Army this week.

Both trainings will involve a military and police presence and are not open to the public. 

The first training takes place today at the Deer Island Treatment Plant from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The second training will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, at the old Winthrop Middle School from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Both of these exercises will provide critical incident training for members of the Winthrop Police Department as well as other area police departments and agencies.

Residents are asked to avoid those areas during these times and to not be concerned if they see military and police personnel in those areas on those days and times. Participants will be required to personal protective gear, such as face masks, during the trainings.

 

###

Winthrop Man Cited After Hosting Party in Violation of Pandemic Protocols

jgprstaff Police
Winthrop Man Cited After Hosting Party in Violation of Pandemic Protocols

WINTHROP — Chief Terence Delehanty reports that a resident was cited last weekend after hosting a party in violation of state gathering restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

On Saturday, Sept. 12, at approximately 10 p.m., Winthrop Police responded to Bellevue Avenue after receiving multiple reports about a loud party. Upon arrival, officers observed a gathering of approximately 30 people who were allegedly disregarding state mandated social distancing and face covering protocols.

A 51-YEAR-OLD WINTHROP MAN was issued a $300 fine for Failure to Comply With Mandatory Face Coverings under Gov. Charlie Baker’s standing order.

“Our community has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and willful disregard of the precautions we’re all responsible for maintaining has consequences,” Chief Delehanty said. “Winthrop residents have been doing their part to curb the spread in of the virus in town, and everyone has to remain committed to making these shared sacrifices for the greater good.”

Under state guidelines, indoor gatherings are limited to eight people per 1,000 square feet of indoor floor space and should never exceed more than 25 people in a single enclosed, indoor space.

Additionally, outdoor gatherings are limited to 25 percent of the maximum permitted occupancy of the space, and all gatherings — indoor and outdoor — must be conducted in a way that allows each participant to maintain at least six feet of physical distance from all other attendees who live outside their household.

Everyone attending a gathering with more than 10 people is required to wear a mask or face covering.

###