Public safety - Marblehead Current

PUBLIC SAFETY: King looks to future with promotions, new hire

17Apr

By Will DowdNo Comments

Local News, Municipal Matters, Public safety, Top Stories

PUBLIC SAFETY: King looks to future with promotions, new hire

In unanimous votes, the Select Board recently approved the promotion of two veteran police officers and extended a conditional job offer to a new recruit, acting on the recommendations of Police Chief Dennis King. Select Board members Jim Nye and Alexa Singer, police officer candidate Christian Hennigar, newly promoted Sgt. Tim Morley and Lt. Jason Conrad and Select Board member Moses. This moment followed the Select Board's approval of Hennigar’s conditional employment and the veteran officers' promotions. CURRENT PHOTO/WILL DOWD In a milestone for King, who started in Marblehead in 2021, these promotions mark the first made during his tenure. The candidates were evaluated using an assessment center for the first time in the department's history, in addition to written exams and o...

15Apr

By Will DowdNo Comments

Local News, Police Log, Public safety

POLICE LOG: Mulch madness, missing fraternity flag and wrong-way driver

Excerpts from the Marblehead police log March 28-April 8. Consistent with state law, police have adopted a policy of not providing media outlets reports related to incidents involving domestic violence, juveniles and matters that remain under investigation. POLICE LOG March 28 8:40 a.m. — Officer Douglas Mills responded to a report of past vandalism at the Marblehead Charter School on Lime Street. Upon arrival, a school employee informed the officer that a pane of glass on a side entry door had been damaged, likely due to an object being thrown at it. The incident occurred between 3 p.m. on March 27 and 5:10 a.m. on March 28. No entry to the building was gained, and the school discarded the small half of a brick found outside the door before the officer's arrival. The damag...

10Apr

By Will DowdNo Comments

Local News, Police Log, Public safety

POLICE LOG: Counterfeit cash, crashed cars and graffiti

Excerpts from the Marblehead police log March 12-26. Consistent with state law, police have adopted a policy of not providing media outlets reports related to incidents involving domestic violence, juveniles and matters that remain under investigation. March 18 2:29 p.m. — Officer Jason McDonald spoke with a resident who reported that her Bank of America Visa card was fraudulently used to purchase a $160 GrubHub gift card. The resident was in possession of her card at the time and does not know how her information was stolen. She has notified the bank and canceled the card. The incident is under investigation. 5:43 p.m. — Officer Tyler Bates responded to a report of a group of teenage males allegedly loitering on Johns Road. The complaina...

10Apr

By Will DowdNo Comments

Local News, Municipal Matters, Police Log, Public safety, Top Stories

Chiefs warn retirements, injuries may hinder ability to maintain levels

Marblehead's police and fire departments are facing a new reality as the town's $4.2 million budget deficit impacts public safety services and puts increasing pressure on strained resources. Fire Chief Jason Gilliland discusses his department's fiscal 2025 budget with the Finance Committee liaisons to the Select Board departments. CURRENT PHOTO / WILL DOWD That reality came through loud and clear during multiple budget meetings with Finance Committee members as they reviewed the budgets of departments under the Select Board's jurisdiction. Fire Chief Jason Gilliland highlighted his department's precarious position as it faced the loss of three positions last year, operating with a minimum of nine staff members per shift instead of the normal staffing of ten and one short of the s...

27Mar

By Will DowdNo Comments

Animals, Local News, Public safety, Top Stories

TAIL OF SURVIVAL: Land-loving dog rescued at sea

Miss Cleo, a 2-year-old Bernese mountain dog, is back home safe after a harrowing ordeal that saw her rescued from the frigid waters off Marblehead’s coast by quick-thinking first responders on March 19. Miss Cleo has been reunited with her sister, Bella, after her rescue on March 19. Miss Cleo shares her cozy home on Glendale Road with her canine sibling, a 10-year-old Bernese mountain dog named Bella, owner Julianne Sullivan said. Sullivan said the pair is inseparable, often found cuddling, always together on their favorite plush bed. But that’s where the similarities end. While Bella is a typical Bernese — friendly, outgoing — Miss Cleo is her more anxious counterpart, often barking at strangers before running the other way. “She is so cute and so affectionate, and h...

20Mar

By Will DowdNo Comments

Local News, Police Log, Public safety

POLICE LOG: Officers investigate a missing $23,000 ring, punch in the face and neighbor disputes

Excerpts from the Marblehead police log Feb. 27 - March 12. Consistent with state law, police have adopted a policy of not providing media outlets reports related to incidents involving domestic violence, juveniles and matters that remain under investigation. Feb. 27 1:45 p.m. — Officers Luke Peters and Jonathan Lunt responded to a report of a lost sapphire and diamond ring valued at $23,000 at a Peach Highlands residence. The owner, an 83-year-old woman, noticed the ring missing after taking a walk in her condo building. A search of the premises yielded no results. The incident remains under investigation. 2:51 p.m. — Officer Luke Peters received a phone call at the station from a man reporting a suspicious call from someone claiming to be a sergeant from the Middlesex Sheri...

13Mar

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Local News, Public safety

Richdale break-in latest in string of lottery ticket thefts

**This article was updated March 14 with new information. Marblehead Police are looking for the person(s) responsible for breaking into the Richdale Convenient Store at 29 Smith St. just before 4 a.m. on March 13. The store's owner told WCVB-TV that lottery tickets valued at $2-$30 were stolen. It's the latest in a string of smash-and-grab robberies of lottery tickets across the North Shore. Anyone with information about the break-in is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Sean Brady at sbrady@marblehead.org.

13Mar

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Business, Community resources, Education, Health, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Municipal Matters, Nonprofit corner, Public safety, Religion, Science, Top Stories

Four years later, leaders reflect on COVID’s impact

Four years ago today, on March 13, 2020, Marblehead students left school as a deadlypandemic began to shut down the world and change lives forever. They didn’t return toclassrooms for months. On this anniversary, the Current spoke with education, service, business and faith leadersaround town, asking them to reflect on how COVID affected Marblehead and whether thoseeffects are still being felt today. Town leaders are reflecting on COVID's impact, four years after its outbreak. COURTESY PHOTO / CDC “The impact on our town was huge, first adjusting to the lockdown and the closing of schools,”said Board of Health Chair Helaine Hazlett. “The businesses which were determined non-essential were closed for several months. The markets and pharmacies were essential and hadto conduct thei...

6Mar

By Leigh BlanderNo Comments

Local News, Public safety, Top Stories

Update: West Shore Drive house fire sends firefighter to hospital

A two-alarm house fire at 138 West Shore Drive on Wednesday sent a Marblehead firefighter to the hospital with minor injuries, filled the neighborhood with smoke and shut down part of the busy road to traffic. A fire broke out at this home on West Shore Drive on Wednesday. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER Chief Jason Gilliland tells the Current that the fire was started accidentally in the basement by a heat gun being used to remove varnish from a railing. "The crews did an excellent job," Gilliland said. "They held the fire to the basement." The man who lives at 138 West Shore Drive, Kenny Rodgers, runs KSRodgers Marine Services. He said flames broke out first and then the house filled with smoke. According to the MFD Facebook page, "Crews were met with challenging conditi...

4Mar

By Will DowdNo Comments

Local News, Police Log, Public safety

POLICE LOG: Wrong ways, romance scams and stolen strollers

Excerpts from the Marblehead police log Feb. 14-22. Consistent with state law, police have adopted a policy of not providing media outlets reports related to incidents involving domestic violence, juveniles and matters that remain under investigation. Feb. 15 11:08 a.m. — Officer Douglas Mills and Capt. Matthew Freeman responded to the access road of the Village School for a report of a motorist driving erratically in the wrong direction, nearly causing an accident. The operator had previously received warnings from Officer Andrew Farewell for the same issue of improperly traveling the one-way access road. After conferring with school officials on scene, the motorist was issued another strong verbal warning for wrong-way operation. Follow-up is underway regarding potential drive...