Department News

October Snow Storm Monday October, 31 Evening Update

The Latest Developments on Town Power Outages

UPDATED AS OF Monday, October 31, 2011 at 5:00 PM

Town officials have been in contact with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and National Grid today. National Grid has made substantial progress repairing transmission and supply lines in Chelmsford, Dracut, and Westford, all of which feed power to Tyngsborough. Within our borders, electric lines on the east side of the Merrimack River suffered extensive damage. National Grid has had multiple crews in Tyngsborough repairing these lines and replacing damaged poles. Based on the information available and the progress made today, some areas of town will begin to see the restoration of power this evening. It is likely that most residents will not have their power restored before tomorrow, Tuesday, November 1st. In an update provided at 3:00 pm today, MEMA indicated that statewide, National Grid expected to restore power to a substantial number of customers by the close of business on Wednesday, November 2nd. The Town continues to work with a direct contact at National Grid responsible for the allocation of resources to Tyngsborough.

The shelter at Tyngsborough Elementary School on Westford Road will be open overnight tonight. Residents may also visit the shelter to charge mobile devices and access potable water.

Tyngsborough Public Schools are closed tomorrow, Tuesday, November 1st.

The flu clinic scheduled for Tuesday, November 2nd at the Council on Aging has been postponed. A new date will be announced once it is determined.

Due to the amount of downed limbs and wires and blocked sidewalks, Halloween trick or treating has been postponed to next Sunday, November 6th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Thank you for your cooperation.

As a precaution, residents are asked to check the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Residents are asked to continue to use caution, avoid unnecessary travel, and consider all downed wires to be live. Residents are also reminded to secure their homes and alert neighbors if they will be leaving their homes. Tyngsborough Police are patrolling neighborhoods and will continue to do so until power is restored.

Highway Department crews have been working in conjunction with National Grid crews to address downed trees and limbs that are entangled with poles and wires. Numerous roads have debris on them but are open. Cleanup of debris from the sides of roads will continue this week. All roads are passable with the exception of areas where utility crews are working, including Lakeview Avenue at Coburn Road.

Tax bills due November 1st will be accepted through November 2nd with no interest. Check payments can be made online at www.tyngsboroughma.gov/pay for no charge.

Additional information will be provided when it is available.

Important phone numbers:

National Grid – to report power outages: 800-465-1212
Emergencies: 911
Tyngsborough Fire Department – business line: 978-649-7671

Comcast: 800-266-2278

Verizon: 800-837-4966

–
Michael P. Gilleberto
Town Administrator
Town of Tyngsborough

From The Police Chief: Report Suspicious Activity Immediately

The Tyngsborough Police Department is requesting citizens to report any suspicious activity they may see in their neighborhoods. Within the last three weeks we have had two homes broken into one on Coburn Road and one on Bridle Path Way on Thursday October 20th there was an attempted breaking and entering on Lakeview Ave.

These are occurring during the day time hours. If you should see or hear what you feel is suspicious activity please call the Tyngsborough Police Department at 1-978-649-7504. If you see or believe you see the crime being committed please call 9-1-1.

From The Police Chief: Register your out-of-state veichle

As a citizen of Tyngsborough, I have enjoyed living close to the State of New Hampshire. But I live in Massachusetts. I pay my taxes in Massachusetts. I also have my motor vehicle registered in Massachusetts, not out of state.

Massachusetts residents are required by law to register vehicles in the Bay State. The Tyngsborough Police Department will be cracking down on residents who live in Town, but drive vehicles with out-of-state license registration.

As I drive through our Community, I often observe out-of-state registered vehicles parked in driveways in the early morning hours, as well as late at night. Many of these vehicles are registered in the State of New Hampshire.

Why would a citizen of Tyngsborough register their vehicle in New Hampshire? They may be trying to avoid paying Tyngsborough excise tax, sales tax, or looking to save money on car insurance. Unlike Massachusetts, New Hampshire does not require a vehicle to be insured before it is registered.

There is no legal reason for any Massachusetts resident to register their automobile in any state but Massachusetts. This practice is illegal, and if you receive a citation for this offense, you could be fined $250- $500 on each violation.

In order to issue such a fine, your Police Department must observe an illegal vehicle at a residence for 30 days. We will be initiating this observance, primarily assigning the overnight patrol shift the majority of these duties, since this is the time when vehicles are generally parked at homes.

Once an out-of-state vehicle has been observed at a residence for 15 days, we will issue a warning advising the citizens to get the vehicle registered in Massachusetts. We understand that occasionally a vehicle with out-of-state plates may have a legitimate reason for being registered out of state. If this is the case, notify your Police Department of the reason now. We will investigate the reason and, if necessary, schedule a hearing with the Registry of Motor Vehicles for a ruling on the issue.

Please take this as an early warning from your Police Department. As your Police Chief, I believe it is better to ask you now than to tell you later. You may have done this for a day or for years, but the law will be enforced. If you are found in violation, you will be charged.

Have a great fall!

Chief W.F. Mulligan

From The Chief Mulligan: Accomplishments and Goals

The successful management of any Police Department requires the dedicated involvement of not only the Police Chief, but of all Officers and Police Staff, our Town Administrator and Elected Officials, and the Community. As your Police Chief, I find one of my greatest challenges to be balancing the expectations of these three segments; though at times frustrating, it is ultimately a highly rewarding and satisfying responsibility to hold.

As I start my fifth year in the position of Tyngsborough’s Chief of Police, I believe we have all worked together in a highly effective and collaborative manner to achieve and maintain this balance, moving the Police Department forward to reach the very important goals set when I first had the privilege to take my oath. I’d like to share these accomplishments with you now:

State of Massachusetts Police Accreditation

The Tyngsborough Police Department became the 38th Certified Police Departments in the State of Massachusetts. State Certification is the first step toward State Accreditation. At this time, there are only 27 Police Departments state-wide with accreditation. Achieving this goal in less than three years is a tremendous tribute to the hard work and determination of the Officers involved in this effort.

Improved Hiring Standards

Each Officer candidate must now pass a written exam, a physical fitness test, and an oral interview, as well as an extensive background investigation.

Reserve Officer Program

The Police Department has hired six full-time Officers from the Reserve Officer Program since 2007, saving thousands of dollars in training costs for the Community and the Police Department.

Patrol Lieutenant Positions

Working together with the Town Administrator and the Board of Selectmen we have promoted three veteran Sergeants to the rank of Lieutenant. This has improved the operation of the police department allowing us to better serve the community.

Partnership with Schools

Our School Resource Officer has initiated Lax and the Law, an indoor Lacrosse program for high schools students, including both male and female teams. This program is funded entirely through donations, at no cost to the tax payer. In addition, I maintain a close relationship with the Superintendent of Schools, and have offered advice and information on numerous school security issues.

DARE Program

DARE is an important program in which students learn about the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and bullying. No tax dollars are used for the DARE program; it is completely funded through donations. Starting in 2007, we have had over 300 students attend these classes.

Partnership with Council on Aging

We have worked together on a number of projects, including providing presentations on various elderly issues such as security and scams, as well as serving food at senior breakfasts and holiday lunches.

Tyngsborough Police Department Web Site

Developed in 2008, and revamped in 2010 the Police Department’s web site provides the community with information on the Police Department, our Officers, and the various programs and services we offer. In addition the site provides citizens with convenient online access to various forms (accident forms, specific permits, etc).

Police Station Headquarters

Since 2007, we have power-washed the exterior of the building, painted the interior walls, and replaced and updated office furniture within the police department, all at no cost to the tax payers.

Police Department Memorial

Working in partnership with the community, the police union, and the staff, we erected a Police memorial in front of the Police Department in 2008. The site was prepared by a member of the Police Department and the memorial was donated by a local company, at no cost to tax payers.

Motorcycle Unit

This program was started in 2007 and has been funded through Community Policing funds and donations. This has been a highly effective and well-received community policing tool, as well as a proactive motor vehicle enforcement tool.

Bicycle Patrols

This program has been supported through community policing funds which we have used to purchase bicycles and carrying racks. This program allows Officers to get out of their cruisers to engage in positive contact with the citizens of Tyngsborough. Again, this program has been very well-received and has proven highly effective.

Equipment Upgrades

We have purchased new handguns and provided the most up-to-date patrol rifles, helmets, and heavy duty ballistic vests for our Officers as assigned to each patrol cruiser, all at no cost to the tax payer.

We have purchased the most up-to-date portable radios for our patrol officers at no cost to tax payers.

We have trained our Officers in the use of our newly acquired Tasers, also purchased with drug forfeiture money at no cost to the tax payer.

In addition, through community policing funds we have acquired a Speed Monitoring Radar Trailer which is assigned to various locations, as needed throughout Town.

Memberships

Villagevault.com: We have raised over $11,000 on the sale of firearms we have invested this money back into the police department for needed equipment and supplies.

Propertyroom.com: We have been able to add value to the property we remove from the station for the community.

Professional Affiliations

As your Chief, I believe it’s my responsibility to assume responsibility and presence in various professional organizations that help me provide both visibility to our Police Department and insight into state-of-the-art police practices and tools:

I am the Chairman of the Northeastern Law Enforcement Council Training Committee.
I am a member of the Regional Dispatch Committee for Northern Middlesex Council of Governments
I am a member of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association
I am a lifetime member of the International Chiefs of Police Association.
I am a member of the Middlesex Chiefs of Police Association.

As the beginning of my next year as your Chief begins, I look forward to the Police Department’s continuing accomplishments in partnership with the Community, the Board of Selectmen, and the Town Administrator.

Unwanted medication disposal box

The Tyngsborough Police Department, working in conjunction with the Tyngsborough Board of Health, now has an unwanted medication disposal box located in the lobby of the Police Department. All medication must be in a secured zip-locked baggie, no sharps (needles), liquids, thermometers, or other non-pharmaceutical wastes are allowed. Residents are encouraged to use this resource to rid their home of dangerous, unwanted medication.

Any questions please contact Lt. Richard Howe @ 978-649-7504 x 107

From Chief Mulligan: Be aware of scam artists

The other day Detective Sergeant Mark Bourque and I were discussing the extent to which Senior Citizens have become targets for fraud. Although anyone can fall victim to these scams, the predators who engage in these practices place particular focus on the elderly. Sergeant Bourque was explaining a specific such ongoing case we are investigating, and suggested I write about this problem.

Up to this time, I had not shared with Sergeant Bourque that a family member of mine had recently been the victim of one of these scams. I have firsthand experience with the pain and frustration caused when someone places their trust in individuals whose intention is only to take advantage of them, often at a very high cost.

Senior Citizens make common targets for these scams because they are most likely to have a “nest egg,” to own their homes, and to have excellent credit, all of which makes them attractive to con artists. People who grew up in the 1940s-50s were generally raised to be polite and trusting. Con artists exploit these traits, knowing that it is difficult or impossible for these individuals to say “no” by just hanging up the telephone or walking away. Older citizens are less likely to report a fraud because they don’t know where to report it, are too ashamed at having been scammed, or sometimes don’t even know they have been scammed. If you suspect you have been scrammed or suspect you have been a target of a scam, you can always report it to your local Police Department. If need be, we will further refer you to another law enforcement agency.

Locally, within the last month, the Tyngsborough Police have actually had a number of scams reported. Here is a sampling of the types of these activities currently occurring in your town, as well as in surrounding communities:

Individuals posing as National Grid/Keyspan employees arrive at a residence in a vehicle similar to the official company vehicles. They ask the victim to walk the perimeter of their property, pointing out fake issues with the roof, wires, or telephone poles; this takes the victim away from his home. During this time, another individual is rifling through the victim’s home, taking whatever they can get their hands on – money, jewelry, family treasures.

Telephone scams are also very common. An individual may receive a phone call from a person posing as a sweepstakes representative. The caller congratulates you on winning some contest, and then directs you to pay a fee in order to receive your winnings, pressuring the victim with threats that they will lose your winnings. You never have to pay for winning a sweepstakes or contest!

It’s also common for a Senior Citizen to receive a phone call from a grandchild stating they’ve been arrested out of the country and need to be bailed right away. They ask the grandparents to wire money immediately. Don’t believe it! We’ve had victims of this scam in Tyngsborough.

Keep these simple rules in mind:

If it sounds too good to be true, it usually isn’t.
If someone arrives at your home uninvited, don’t let them in. Tell them you will schedule a visit. Many times they will threaten you that they need access right away. Tell the person you are calling the Police Department and you will wait until we arrive. Whatever you do, don’t let them into your home! Stay behind locked doors. No one should be allowed into your home unless you have invited them in and you know who they are.
Never hand over checks, money orders, or cash to strangers.
If you are concerned or feeling unsafe while waiting for the Police to arrive, call a neighbor or a family member and tell them what is going on.

Don’t be a victim!! You have worked hard all your life; don’t let these creeps take what is yours.

Remember the Tyngsborough Police Department is only a phone call away. Just dial 9-1-1 or 978-649-7504.

Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident on Sherburne Ave.

On Sunday September 4^th at 2:48 am the Tyngsborough Police Department responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident on Sherburne Ave just south of Coburn Road.

Upon arrival Officers found a vehicle, a 2002 Toyota Rav 4 had struck a tree, and a female passenger who was still in the vehicle. The 20 year old female had extensive injuries and was administered first aid at the scene by Tyngsborough Police, Tyngsborough Fire, Trinity EMT’s and Saint Memorial Paramedics. The driver as well as the passenger were transported to Lowell General by Trinity and Saints.

The female passenger, identified as Alda Phung, 20 years old of Lowell, was subsequently pronounced deceased at Lowell General, the driver of the vehicle identified as Louis Amaro, 20 years old, was admitted with non-life threatening injuries.

Mr. Amaro was cited by the Tyngsborough Police Department for operating with a suspended license. The Tyngsborough Police and the State Police Reconstruction team are continuing an investigation into the cause of the accident and to determine whether additional charges are appropriate.

Released by: Lt. Richard D. Howe

Street Closures in Wake of Tropical Storm Irene

Please avoid the following roads until they are clear of fallen trees and powerlines

Lakeview Ave @ #66

Lawndale

Indian Lane

Upton Drive

Westford Road at Tyngsboro/Westford Town Line

Update on Power Outage in Town

Town Leaders and Emergency Management Team met Monday morning to discuss the next steps after Tropical Storm Irene.

As of noon Monday, there are approximately 1,000 homes in Tyngsborough without power. In Massachusetts there are still 335,650 residents without power. Outages are isolated pockets around town this includes a large area in the northeast section of Tyngsborough around Frost Rd. and Lakeview Ave, including the Norris Road school complex.

We are continually updating National Grid with priorities for Tyngsborough. They are working to re-establish power and we will continue to update as more information becomes.

If you are a resident that does not have power at this time, please plan accordingly.

For those with medical needs that need access to power, call the Center Fire Station at 26 Kendall Road- 978-649-7671. If you have an emergency call 9-1-1.

The Tyngsborough Emergency Management Team

For the latest info on the Power Outage in Town visit The Town of Tyngsborough Town Emergency Page www.tyngsboroughma.gov/emergencyor [Click Here]

Advisory: Tyngsboro PD to conduct SWAT Training All Day Wednesday

Should you hear noises or notice heavy police activity on the corners of Indian Lane and Frost Road on Wednesday August 17, do not be alarmed.

The Tyngsborough Police Department along with a regional SWAT Team will be honing their police tactical skills in a full day training session on two vacant homes.

According to Det./Sargent Mark Bourque, training is expected to begin at around 8 a.m. at the Tyngsborough Sportsmen Club on Westford Road. At approximately 10 a.m. the training convoy will then move to Indian Lane. This will last all afternoon – signs indicating police training will be posted.

Tyngsboro PD is a member of the The North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) a law enforcement council, composed of a consortium of 53 police and sheriff departments in Middlesex and Essex Counties. Member agencies operate pursuant to an inter-agency mutual aid and assistance agreement. Members of the Police Department serve on the SWAT team and usually hold training every other Wednesdays at various sites around the region, according to Bourque.

For more info contact:

Chief W.F. Mulligan
Tyngsborough Police
978-649-7504
wmulligan@tyngsboroughma.gov