Public safety - Marblehead Current

Marblehead, Swampscott sharing building commissioner

22Nov

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Municipal Matters, Public safety, Top Stories

Marblehead, Swampscott sharing building commissioner

Marblehead and Swampscott have entered into an inter-municipal agreement to share a building commissioner, buying Marblehead some time to figure out a permanent solution. Stephen Cummings was appointed as the new part-time building commissioner for Marblehead under an inter-municipal agreement with Swampscott, where he also serves as building commissioner. COURTESY PHOTO / THE TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT "The current agreement runs through the end of the fiscal year to plug the vacancy and to act as a pilot program," Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer told the Marblehead Current on Nov. 17. "I am confident that this agreement can also work in the long term." The Marblehead Select Board appointed Swampscott Building Commissioner Stephen Cummings as building commissioner unanimously this mon...

17Nov

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Police Log, Public safety, Uncategorized

POLICE LOG: Overnight spree of vehicle breaks reported

Excerpts from the Marblehead police log Nov. 9 - 14. Consistent with state law, Marblehead Police have adopted a policy of not providing media outlets reports related to incidents involving domestic violence, juveniles and matters that remain under investigation. Nov. 11 8:30 a.m. – Officers Adam Mastrangelo and Zachary Mills responded to the area of Bubier Road to investigate a string of overnight vehicle breaks that occurred in the neighborhood. Several residents reported their unlocked cars had been rifled through during the night, but nothing appeared to be taken. A resident showed officers surveillance video from a neighbor's camera that captured unidentifiable movement in a driveway at 3:31 a.m. Officers canvassed the area looking for additional security footage that may have ...

15Nov

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Local News, Municipal Matters, Public safety, Top Stories, Uncategorized

PUBLIC SAFETY: Revisiting Pleasant Street’s safety after recent fatality

The recent death of 80-year-old Karl Johnson after being hit on Pleasant Street has renewed attention on pedestrian and bicyclist safety on the busy road. A blue ribbon is tied to a tree near the site where 15-year-old Allie Castner was fatally struck by a vehicle while crossing Pleasant Street in 2009. CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD Johnson was hit while crossing Pleasant between Smith Street and Mohawk Road. Police Chief Dennis King said the cause remains under active investigation. Johnson's death comes 14 years after Allie Castner, a 15-year-old Marblehead High School student, was killed a stone's throw away from where a vehicle struck Johnson. Pleasant Street is a two-lane road that intersects with several major cross streets leading to schools, residential neighborhood...

11Nov

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Local News, Municipal Matters, Public safety

POLICE LOG: Driver confronts pedestrian after near collision

Excerpts from the Marblehead police log Nov. 1-9. Consistent with state law, Marblehead Police have adopted a policy of not providing media outlets reports related to incidents involving domestic violence, juveniles and matters that remain under investigation. Nov. 1 2:45 p.m. — Officer Andrew Clark conducted over 30 minutes of targeted traffic enforcement at the intersection of Pleasant and Smith streets during school pickup hours, issuing two citations for motorists allegedly turning right on red and running a red light. 3:50 p.m. — Officer Robert Picariello took a report from a Ralph Road woman that her parked, unlocked vehicle was allegedly entered overnight and her purse (containing her wallet, three credit cards, driver's license and work ID badge) was stolen. The wom...

7Nov

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Local News, Public safety, Top Stories, Uncategorized

Former Marblehead elected official struck on Pleasant Street dies

A former Marblehead elected official who was struck by a vehicle last month has died, police said Tuesday. Karl Johnson, 80, died Sunday after being hospitalized since the Oct. 27 crash, according to police. Karl A. Johnson The collision occurred around 6 p.m. on Pleasant Street between two crosswalks near Smith Street and Mohawk Road. Johnson was taken to Beth Israel Hospital following the crash. Police said the driver involved remained at the scene and has cooperated with the investigation. The cause remains under investigation by Marblehead Police, the Essex County District Attorney's Office and the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section. "Our focus is twofold at this time: first, to ensure privacy and supportive services to the Johnson ...

1Nov

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Beacon Hill, Health, Local News, Public safety, Top Stories

Locals speak out on gun reform push after latest mass shooting

The mass shooting that left 18 people dead and 13 injured in Maine reignited calls for gun reforms across the nation — including in Massachusetts. The shooting in Lewiston was the deadliest in Maine's history. Police say an Army reservist opened fire inside a bowling alley and a bar last week and then took his own life. His body was found after a two-day manhunt. Ghost guns and ghost gun parts are displayed on a table in Attorney General Andrea Campbell's office at a press event. COURTESY PHOTO On Oct. 18, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed major gun control legislation. The final vote was 120-38. It now heads to the state Senate. Locally, gun control advocates strongly praised the House's action. "This comprehensive bill will close loopholes in our laws and hel...

31Oct

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Local History, Police Log, Public safety

POLICE LOG: Officers respond to a truck that crashed into a building

Excerpts from the Marblehead police log Oct. 18-23. Consistent with state law, Marblehead Police have adopted a policy of not providing media outlets reports related to incidents involving domestic violence, juveniles and matters that remain under investigation. Oct. 18 1:41 a.m. — Officer Nick Fratini met with a resident at the police station. The resident reported being harassed by her upstairs neighbor for several months and installed security cameras and noticed a bicycle placed in front of one camera under the porch. She suspects her neighbor put it there to block the camera. The officer advised the reporting neighbor to apply for a harassment protection order. Oct. 19 8:29 a.m. — Officer Doug Mills responded to a noise complaint at Abbot View Lane. The reporting parties ...

27Oct

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Local News, Public safety, Top Stories, Uncategorized

Elderly man seriously injured after being struck on Pleasant Street

An 80-year-old man was seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle in Marblehead on Friday evening, according to Marblehead Police Chief Dennis King. Folks watch as first responders help an elderly man struck by a vehicle on Pleasant Street Friday evening. CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD "It's a pedestrian vehicle accident. The person has serious injuries and has been transported from the scene," King told the Marblehead Current. "We have a very live scene that all resources are focused on.” The crash occurred around 6 p.m. on Pleasant Street near the Smith Street intersection. Police said the man, whose name has not been released, was transported to an area hospital by ambulance. His condition was not immediately known. At around 8:50 p.m., the Marblehead Police Departm...

26Oct

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Local News, Municipal Matters, Politics, Public safety, real estate, Top Stories

Tonight: Virtual public meeting set to discuss new housing mandates

The Marblehead Planning Board is inviting residents to a virtual public meeting on Thursday, Oct. 26 to learn about new state rules requiring denser housing in parts of town. Marblehead has until late 2024 to adopt zoning changes that allow denser housing near transit or risk penalties. CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD The requirements are part of a push by the state to encourage more housing around public transit. Under the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Community Law, municipalities served by commuter rail, subway and major bus routes must adopt zoning changes allowing multifamily housing by-right. Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer said the state is making compliance a “very high priority” by providing resources to help towns navigate the process while also increasin...

25Oct

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Local News, Public safety, Top Stories

Marblehead lands $40K grant for traffic safety programs

The Marblehead Police Department received a $40,000 grant this year for traffic safety programs from the state's Municipal Road Safety Grant Program, Police Chief Dennis King told the Current. The department plans to spend the money on new radar and speed-enforcement equipment, pole-mounted speed feedback signs, a traffic data recorder and a preliminary breath test machine for checking for impaired-driving enforcement. Last winter, Marblehead installed new lights and bump outs along Pleasant Street. CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD “It’s not only about enforcement, but also about educating and community engagement around topics such as bike safety,” said King. Funds will also go toward traffic safety education like a bike safety rodeo, along with additional patrols focused on s...