Public safety - Marblehead Current

Marblehead prepares before arctic cold encroaches on region

1Feb

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Environment, Local News, Municipal Matters, Public safety, Top Stories, Travel

Marblehead prepares before arctic cold encroaches on region

An arctic cold will sweep through the Northeast with dangerously low wind chills possibly reaching minus 25 degrees over the weekend. "All of us are going to be spending a lot of time indoors this weekend," Marblehead Public Health Director Andrew Petty told the Marblehead Current. "Even when they go out to run errands, they should make sure they cover their skin." extreme_cold_guideDownload On Wednesday evening, Petty sent out the U.S. Department of Public Health's extreme cold guide. Marblehead Fire Chief Jason Gilliland said the fire and police departments are preparing for the weekend cold snap. "Capt. [Matt] Freeman and I met this afternoon, we decided to that we are putting extra personnel on," said Gilliland on Wednesdy afternoon. According to the National W...

1Feb

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Local News, Public safety, Top Stories

Marblehead Police issue new scam alert

Marblehead Police are issuing a new scam alert after a resident reported losing $60,000 in a computer hoax. “Literally everyone relies on Microsoft and Apple, so they (perpetrators) are creating a scam that makes you feel as if information from your computer has been compromised,” Police Chief Dennis King told the Marblehead Current.” The victim’s money “was withdrawn on multiple occasions and converted into bitcoin,” the Marblehead Police Department wrote on Facebook. “The scammers told the victim that their accounts were compromised by Russian and Chinese websites.” There’s been a significant uptick in scams like this in Marblehead and surrounding communities. The scammers are “making their presence known on the North Shore,” King said. And he warned that it’s not just ...

After more than 40 years away, Marblehead fire truck comes home

1Feb

By Chris StevensNo Comments

Local History, Municipal Matters, Public safety, Top Stories

After more than 40 years away, Marblehead fire truck comes home

Nearly everyone has a vehicle they dream about owning. Maybe it's a sports car, luxury vehicle, decked-out Harley or even a fire truck. "Every firefighter, I think, dreams of owning their own fire truck," said Marblehead Fire Chief Jason Gilliland. Jason Gilliland, Marblehead Fire Chief, poses with his newly acquired 1939 Mack model 80 Fire Truck. The former Marblehead Fire Truck came from Sunapee, New Hampshire Fire Department. Gilliland says he can’t wait to drive it in the town parades. Photo by Nicole Goodhue Boyd And for Gilliland, that dream has come true. Gilliland recently became the proud owner of a classic 1939 model 80 Mack combination pumper/ladder truck. If that weren't exciting enough, it is an original Marblehead fire truck. Gilliland said he'd looked off a...

Body discovered on beach at end of Edgemere Road

26Jan

By William J. Dowd, Leigh Blander and Kris OlsonNo Comments

Local News, Public safety, Top Stories

Body discovered on beach at end of Edgemere Road

Marblehead and Salem police are at the scene of a body discovered on a beach at the end of Edgemere Road on Salem Harbor. Ellie Tomlinson found the body around 4 p.m. while walking her golden retriever. Her waterfront house abuts the beach entrance where she discovered the body. Police officers investigate the scene where a decomposed body was found on Edgemere Beach on Thursday afternoon. CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD When Tomlinson came across the body, she thought it was a Halloween decoration. “I had to do a double take,” she told the Marblehead Current outside her home. “I then saw a scarf.” She didn’t want to use her cell phone because it was too loud with the water and wind. "I ran into the house and called 911," Tomlinson said. "My dog was still on the beach and w...

In Marblehead, dangerous dog investigation opened

25Jan

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Local News, Municipal Matters, Public safety

In Marblehead, dangerous dog investigation opened

The town is investigating incidents involving an alleged dangerous dog on Pickwick Road. CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD At its Jan. 18 meeting, the Marblehead Select Board opened an investigation into an alleged dangerous dog at 45 Pickwick Road. At Police Chief Dennis King's request, the board tasked Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer with investigating the situation. He will report his findings to the Select Board in a public hearing, before which there will be at least 10 days notice. Select Board Chair Moses Grader and Kezer were unable to provide resident Jodi Smith, who lives on Pickwick Road, with a specific date for the public hearing. "I was actually here because I was under the impression that we'd actually get the date for the dangerous dog hearing," Smith said. ...

Marblehead police log, Jan. 12-18, 2023: After bathroom dispute, unruly potty mouth storms out of Dunkin’

22Jan

By Kris OlsonNo Comments

Local News, Public safety

Marblehead police log, Jan. 12-18, 2023: After bathroom dispute, unruly potty mouth storms out of Dunkin’

Excerpts from the Marblehead police log of Thursday, Jan. 12 through Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023. Consistent with state law, Marblehead Police have adopted a policy of not providing to media outlets reports related to incidents related to domestic violence, juveniles and matters that remain under investigation. Thursday, Jan. 12 5 a.m. An officer filed a report after a two-vehicle crash on Humphrey Street and Rockaway Avenue. 8:25 a.m. A walk-in to the police station reported an issue with the traffic signal on Ocean and Atlantic avenues. Friday, Jan. 13 1:02 a.m. An officer investigated a report of suspicious activity on Nonantum Road and filed a report. 2 p.m. An attempted traffic stop led to a police chase involving four officers in the area of West Shore Drive and Water...

Marblehead officer’s ‘day in court’ finally nears

18Jan

By Kris OlsonNo Comments

Local News, Municipal Matters, Public safety, Top Stories

Marblehead officer’s ‘day in court’ finally nears

By the time Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer convenes a hearing to determine whether further disciplinary action is warranted against Christopher Gallo in late February or early March, the town will have paid the Marblehead police officer approximately $140,000 not to come to work. Gallo has been off the job since June 16, 2021. He was initially given a five-day suspension and placed on paid administrative leave after the Massachusetts Inspector General’s Office on June 9 delivered to the town the results of its investigation into photos purporting to document Gallo’s official police vehicle parked at his residence when he was supposed to be on duty, spanning months. The 11 Gerry St. headquarters of the Marblehead Police Department on Jan. 16. CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD ...

BREAKING NEWS: Former Marblehead resident charged in murder of his wife

18Jan

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Local News, Public safety, Top Stories

BREAKING NEWS: Former Marblehead resident charged in murder of his wife

Brian Walshe, who lived with his wife, Ana, and their children in Marblehead recently has been charged with her murder. Ana Walshe was last seen in her Cohasset home on New Year's Day. Her disappearance has gripped the state and the nation. "A continuing investigation has now allowed police to obtain an arrest warrant charging Brian Walshe with the murder of his wife," said Norfolk County District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey. You can watch Morrissey's full statement HERE. Ana Walshe was last seen on New Year's Day in her Cohasset home. COURTESY PHOTO / COHASSET POLICE Brian Walshe has been locked up since last week when he was charged with misleading police searching for his wife. He will now be transported to Quincy District Court for arraignment on murder charges. The Wa...

Marblehead police log, Jan. 3-11, 2023: Mystery keys show up in home as bracelet goes missing

13Jan

By Kris OlsonNo Comments

Local News, Public safety

Marblehead police log, Jan. 3-11, 2023: Mystery keys show up in home as bracelet goes missing

Excerpts from the Marblehead police log of Tuesday, Jan. 3 through Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. Consistent with state law, Marblehead Police have adopted a policy of not providing to media outlets reports related to incidents related to domestic violence, juveniles and matters that remain under investigation. Tuesday, Jan. 3 12:03 a.m. Suspicious activity reported on Bennett Road. 2:13 p.m. A walk-in to the police station brought in a pearl necklace that had been found at Fort Sewall. 2:23 p.m. A caller reported a large puddle in the street on West Shore Drive at Jersey Street. Wednesday, Jan. 4 8:04 a.m. A caller reported a car that was parked for a long period of time on Harbor Avenue. 10:51 a.m. Investigated report that Light Department crews were blocking the road on...

Missing Cohasset mother, family lived in Marblehead

11Jan

By Leigh Blander and William J. DowdNo Comments

Local News, Public safety, Top Stories

Missing Cohasset mother, family lived in Marblehead

The Cohasset mother whose New Year’s Day disappearance has gripped the state and the nation lived here in Marblehead with her husband and children a couple of years ago. “I’m beside myself. It’s a very scary situation,” said Judith Doane, who sold the home at 6 Edgewood Road to Ana Walshe in 2018 and lived nearby. Walshe and her family moved to Cohasset in 2020. Ana Walshe lived in Marblehead with her family COURTESY PHOTO / COHASSET POLICE “I hope to God she’s alive. I’m praying that she’s alive,” Doane told the Marblehead Current. Walshe's husband, Brian, was arrested Jan. 8 on charges that he “committed the crime of misleading police investigators,” according to Cohasset Police. The couple has three young sons. “She had those babies,” Doane said. “My husban...