Public safety - Marblehead Current

17 Dec

Traffic Safety chair: Don’t buy your kids e-bikes ‘that can go that fast’

Luca TedescoPublic safety, Top Stories

The Marblehead Traffic Safety Advisory Committee continued its discussion of e-bike safety in its monthly meeting on Dec. 15. “Everyone sees this as an issue,” said TSAC Chair Rick Smyers. “Pretty consistently, people recognize that e-bikes, when used improperly, can be a risk.” Concerns around electric bicycles have mounted in recent weeks after a 13 year old died crashing his e-bike into a car in Stoneham and a Hamilton woman was hospitalized after the horse she was riding was spooked by an e-bike. The horse…

09 Dec

Town Clerk releases new info on 160 citations to minors for drinking at house parties

Leigh BlanderPublic safety, Top Stories

UPDATE: Tuesday, Dec. 9 Town Clerk Robin Michaud released new details Dec. 9 about citations written to parents of minors allegedly caught drinking at house parties in Marblehead. From 2009 to 2017, Michaud said there were 160 citations written to parents whose kids were drinking. Here is that list: 2009 – 232010- 252011 – 252012 – 42013 – 4 2014 – 02015 – 252016 – 262017 – 28 *** Police Chief Dennis King answered accusations that he is not enforcing local and state social host…

25 Nov

UPDATE: Power restored after gas leak

Leigh BlanderPublic safety, Top Stories

NEW: Police report that all power has been restored. Marblehead Police report that a residential gas leak on the Neck has prompted the Marblehead Municipal Light Department to shut off power to the Neck. Police are on the scene. This is a developing story. Stay with the Current.

24 Nov

MFD warning: Recall and fire warning

Leigh BlanderLocal News, Public safety

Marblehead Fire Department is alerting residents about the recall of the Tesla Powerwall 2 AC Battery Power system that can catch fire. "The lithium-ion battery cells in certain Powerwall 2 systems can cause the unit to stop functioning during normal use, which can result in overheating and, in some cases, smoke or flame and can cause death or serious injury due to fire and burn hazards," according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The recall impacts about 10,500 lithium battery systems. "The firm has received…

24 Nov

News in brief: Nov. 24

Saoirse StallingsEnvironment, Local News, Politics, Public safety

The Current welcomes 150–200-word submissions to News in Brief. Send yours to info@marbleheadnews.org. Moulton unveils legislation to prevent war with Venezuela On Nov. 21, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., joined by Reps. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass.; Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa.; Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif.; and Eugene Vindman, D-Va., announced new legislation called the No Unauthorized Force in Venezuela Act during a press conference on the House steps in Washington, D.C. The bill prohibits the executive branch from spending federal funds on any military action inside Venezuela or against…

24 Nov

Marblehead Fire Dept. issues chimney safety reminder after Sunday night blaze

Leigh BlanderPublic safety, Top Stories

Last night, Marblehead Fire Department crews responded to a chimney fire on Lincoln Avenue Sunday night, according to a post on the MFD Facebook page. "Thankfully, the fire was contained to the chimney and did not spread further," reads the post. "As we move into the colder months and fireplaces see more use, we’d like to remind residents of the importance of proper chimney maintenance to prevent dangerous chimney fires." MFD released the following tips: Firefighter A. Gillis battles a chimney fire on Lincoln Avenue…

19 Nov

District attorney issues crypto scam warning

Leigh BlanderPublic safety, Top Stories

For Fraud Awareness Week, Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker is sharing warning signs and tips with residents related to an alarming rise in scams involving cryptocurrency ATM kiosks. Fraud Awareness Week began in 2000 and is an international effort to minimize the impact of fraud by promoting anti-fraud education. Marblehead Police, along with a local teenager, helped foil at least one attempted Bitcoin scam recently. Read about that HERE. Tucker says fraudsters are increasingly turning to Bitcoin ATMs which are typically located in…

19 Nov

Marblehead Police share e-bike safety tips

Leigh BlanderPublic safety, Top Stories

Marblehead Police Wednesday shared safety tips for e-bike riders after seeing "an increase of crashes and near misses involving e-bikes over the last year," according to an MPD statement "E-bikes allow children and teens to build independence and be socially engaged. However, parents need to be aware of the dangers of these devices so they can inform their children on how to operate them safely," the statement read. Most e-bikes are equipped to travel no faster than 20 mph, which is the legal limit for…

19 Nov

POLICE LOG: Officer challenged to fisticuffs; denied request to wear hat leads to spat

Marblehead Current staffLocal News, Police Log, Public safety

Saturday, Nov. 1 Vehicle stops, citations: 1 Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 0 11:59 a.m. An officer responded to the scene of a vehicle crash on Atlantic Avenue. 4:50 p.m. An officer was dispatched to the parking lot of Crosby’s Market to investigate a hit-and-run crash. The owner of a parked vehicle had come out of the store to find damage to the passenger side front and rear doors, possibly by a white vehicle, given paint that was transferred. No one had left a note, and…

18 Nov

Traffic Safety chair to send letter to parents about e-bike dangers

Luca TedescoPublic safety, Top Stories

Traffic Safety Action Committee Chair Rick Smyers will write a letter to parents of Marblehead Public School students to help them teach safe e-cycling practices to their children. The letter will be sent by Superintendent John Robidoux, according to TSAC. “I took the meeting with the head of the PTO at [Veterans Middle School],” Committee Chair Rick Smyers said at a Nov. 17 meeting “She shared my concerns, the same concerns that we’ve been talking about, that this is going to be a problem and…