Enhanced 911 Equipment Includes Map to Help Verify Callers’ Locations

Dispatchers for the Amherst Public Safety Communications Center have begun using the state’s enhanced 911 equipment. The new system provides much of the same information as the older version, including the address and telephone number of the caller, but it also includes a mapping program that automatically plots the location of the caller as well. The map has the capability to plot calls that come from both wireline and wireless, or cellular, telephones. Newer cell phones, equipped with GPS technology, are tracked according to the latitude and longitude of the caller’s physical location. Older phones are less accurate and can only provide the location of the cellular tower that received and transmitted the call. Track phones, or those cell phones that do not have a contract, do not provide this location information.

The map system is essential for Dispatchers, who take calls and dispatch for both the police and fire departments, as it helps to pinpoint callers’ locations right away and to verify where they are calling from.

The mapping system has already been used by Dispatchers to help locate lost hikers in the area. In one situation, a hiker who had set out from the main gate at Skinner State Park, in Hadley, ended up on Bare Mountain near The Notch Visitor's Center, in Amherst, and he did not know where he was going. Using the map, Dispatchers were able to determine that he was very close to West Street. A cruiser was sent to assist in getting him back to his vehicle before dark.

In another instance, a woman became disoriented while on the trails at the Amethyst Brook Conservation Area, off of Pelham Road. Her location was readily seen on the map as well. Police units were dispatched, and the Sergeant was able to place a call to 911, using his own cell phone, so as to determine his location in comparison to the caller's. From the map, Dispatchers were able to see that the woman was very close to where the Sergeant was calling from, and he was able to find her and help escort her safely out of the woods.

The new 911 system, as well as training that all Dispatchers received, was funded by the Massachusetts Statewide Emergency Telecommunications Board (SETB) from surcharges collected on wireline and wireless phone bills. The system is part of an upgrade of the Communications Center’s dispatch equipment which also includes a new radio system and console that now can accommodate up to four Dispatchers on-duty at a time.

Area Celebrates Red Sox Win!

The Amherst and University communities were spared the riotous behavior of years past during the 2007 MLB American League and World Series play-off games. This year, a crowd of 1,500 congregated on the UMass campus after the game four win, and it has been described as "boisterous, but peaceful." According to Captain Michael Kent of the Amherst Police Department, Amherst had an extra 10 officers on-duty during the clinching game to assist the UMass Police Department in the event that mutual aid was needed for riotous behavior. In addition, UMPD was available to offer mutual aid to the Amherst Police in the event that celebrations within the town became unmanageable. Fortunately, the off-campus locations were celebratory, but controlled.

Throughout the weekend of October 26th to October 29th, 2007, the Amherst Police Department responded to 284 calls for service. Twenty-six people were taken into custody over the weekend, and an additional 10 are being summonsed for various criminal offenses.

Level 3 Sex Offender

William Parsons has recently registered with the Amherst Police Department as a Level 3 Sex Offender residing in the town of Amherst. As a Level 3 Offender, the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board has determined that Parsons is at a high risk to re-offend. The Level 3 classification is the highest that can be placed on an individual. Parsons was convicted in 1998 of two counts of Rape, two counts of Indecent Assault & Battery on a child over 14, and one count of Indecent Assault & Battery on a child under 14. Parsons lists his current residential address as 85 Amity St., Amherst, and his work address as 28 Amity St., Amherst. Parsons is a 40-year-old white male, 5’08”, 170lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes. Parsons is not wanted by the police at this time. Questions regarding the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry can be forwarded to Detective Lieutenant Ronald Young, youngr@amherstma.gov, or Detective Brian Johnson, johnsonb@amherstma.gov.

M.G.L. C 6 Section 178N- Information contained in the Sex Offender Registry shall not be used to commit a crime against a sex offender or to engage in illegal discrimination or harassment of an offender. Any person who uses information disclosed pursuant to the provisions of sections M.G.L. C 6 Section 178C to 178P, inclusive, for such purpose shall be punished by not more than two and one-half years in a house of correction or by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Suspect Arrested for Olympia Drive Breaking and Entering

In the early morning hours of October 25th, several Amherst Police Officers responded to Olympia Drive after receiving report of a breaking and entering in progress. According to Officer Rich MacLean, the residents of the home, Sigma Phi Epsilon, reported that several unwelcome guests entered their house and proceeded to steal valuable electronic equipment. When this was discovered, the residents chased the fleeing suspects, catching one behind their home. After an investigation, the Amherst Police arrested Akeem Lavalley of 105 Burke Way, Hadley, MA. Mr. Lavalley is being charged with Felony Breaking and Entering as well as Larceny From a Building. This investigation is on-going.

Vehicle Break-Ins

Amherst Police Officers are investigating five motor vehicle break-ins that occurred during the evening hours of October 24th in the area of Meadow Street. Of the five incidents that were reported, all but one vehicle was locked. Many of these vehicles had valuable electronic equipment in view. Residents are again reminded to remove valuable equipment from their vehicles and to secure all doors.

UMASS Amherst Closed Until 11:00 AM: 10/25/07

The University has cancelled classes until 11:00 AM today, Thursday 10/25/2007. Contact the University of Massachusetts or view their website for more information: http://umass.edu/umhome/index.php

Nine Breaking and Enterings in Last Week

Since October 14th, the Police Department has taken nine reports of breaking and entering. There have been five reports of breaking and entering to motor vehicles and four reports of breaking and entering into homes. The vehicle incidents occurred at the following locations: Main Street, State Street (Puffers Pond), and three on Meadow Street (Brandywine Apartments). The four homes are on Bay Road, Fearing Street, Belchertown Road (Rolling Green Apartments), and North Pleasant Street. Residents are reminded to keep their vehicles locked and valuables out of sight. Residents should also be vigilant about securing the doors to their homes.

Preparing for the World Series

The Amherst Police Department is gearing up for the Red Sox vs. Rockies World Series. The Police Department will be adding extra staff on most World Series game nights to be prepared for any celebratory disturbances or large crowds. According to Captain Michael R. Kent, this past weekend 8-10 extra officers were on-hand for both Saturday and Sunday night's games, and it is expected that at least that many will be available for clinching games in the World Series. The Amherst Police and UMASS Police Departments have been working together during the Red Sox Championship Series to have their respective personnel available should any large disturbances occur in either department's jurisdiction.

This past weekend Amherst Officers responded to 224 calls for service and arrested 20 people for various offenses. Eight additional persons are being summonsed into court for offenses.

September Finishes as One of the Busiest...

We’ve been busy! According to Operations Captain Michael R. Kent, September was very busy for the Amherst Police Department. This September, 185 persons were taken into custody and an additional 46 are being summonsed into court for various offenses. This arrest activity is down slightly from the same period in 2006, where 229 persons were taken into custody and 36 were additionally summonsed into court. However, this is a substantial increase from years past. In 2004, for example, 99 persons were arrested and 33 summonsed, and in 2005, 130 were arrested and 33 summonsed. Captain Kent believes that this is going to be a trend that will continue, as students' activity is increasingly moving off-campus to residential neighborhoods. Below is a list of offenses that persons were charged with.

Arrests On View & Primary Arresting Offense (IBR) for the Month of September

SEPTEMBER 2007

FORCIBLE SODOMY 1
ROBBERY 1
SIMPLE ASSAULT 5
BURGLARY / BREAKING AND ENTERING 1
SHOPLIFTING 1
DESTRUCTION / DAMAGE / VANDALISM 1
DRUG / NARCOTIC VIOLATIONS 8
DISORDERLY CONDUCT 11
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE 6
DRUNKENNESS 5
LIQUOR LAW VIOLATIONS 119
ALL OTHER OFFENSES 9
TRAFFIC, TOWN BY-LAW OFFENSES 17

Summons Arrests - Primary Arresting Offense (IBR) By Month

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT 1
SIMPLE ASSAULT 2
BURGLARY / BREAKING AND ENTERING 2
ALL OTHER LARCENY 2
COUNTERFEITING / FORGERY 1
DRUG / NARCOTIC VIOLATIONS 8
BAD CHECKS 3
LIQUOR LAW VIOLATIONS 20
TRAFFIC, TOWN BY-LAW OFFENSES 7

RUOK Program

With the winter months upon us, Chief of Police Charles L. Scherpa would like to remind our citizens, especially the elderly and home-bound, of the "R U O K" Program, a valuable service offered by the Amherst Police Department and the Amherst SALT Counsel (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together).

The "R U O K" Program is a computerized telephone reassurance program for elders or disabled individuals who may be home-bound, live alone, or need the assurance of a daily phone call to feel safe and more secure.

A computer, housed in the Amherst Police Station, makes a daily call to subscribers at the same time each day (the time of call is directed by the subscriber). If the subscriber is "OK," he or she simply hangs up the telephone after hearing the pre-recorded message. If the subscriber does not answer, or if the telephone is busy, two or more attempts are made before the computer puts out an "ALERT REPORT." An Amherst Police Officer is then sent to the home to do a "well-being" check on the subscriber.

To subscribe to "R U O K" please contact SALT Representative Robert Joy at 413-253-7059. For additional information on this, or any other community policing programs, please contact Lt. Jennifer Gundersen at 413-259-3012 or gundersenj@amherstma.gov.

Amherst Police to Offer RAD Class, November 12-16th, 2007

The Amherst Police Department will be hosting a 5-week R.A.D self defense course for women this November 2007. Made possible by funding from the Executive Office of Public Safety Community Policing Grant, the Rape Aggression Defense System is a program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques for women. Our course is taught by Amherst Police Department Officers Jesus Arocho and Megan Attesi who are nationally certified R.A.D. Instructors. RAD is for women of all ages, and it is open to women from other communities. It is a great program for Mother/Daughter teams!! The class will be held in the Amherst Police Department Community Room, from 5:00PM to 7:00PM, November 12th through the 16th, 2007. Space is limited, so all participants must pre-register by either calling The Amherst Police Department Records Bureau at 413-259-3016 or emailing Officer Megan Attesi at attesim@amherstma.gov. by November 1st, 2007.

Amherst Officers Recognized by Chief Scherpa

Amherst Police Department Chief of Police Charles L. Scherpa is please to announce the recent recognition of Patrol Officers Sabino Epiceno, a 25-year veteran of the Amherst Police Department, and Richard MacLean, a 7-year veteran of the Amherst Police Department. The awards were presented to the officers by Michael R. Kent, Captain of Operations.

Officer Epiceno is the senior-most officer assigned to the patrol division of the Department and was recently presented BADGE #1 in recognition of his many years of dedicated and outstanding service to the community and Department. During his career, Officer Epiceno has served the Town of Amherst as the Residential Safety Officer, Elder Services Liaison, Center Foot Patrol Officer, Child Passenger Safety Seat Inspector, Property Officer and Jimmy Fund Representative. Being recognized as BADGE #1 is one small way we can thank Officer Epiceno for his many years of service.

Officer MacLean was presented with a Letter of Appreciation from his fellow police officers for his relentless dedication to keeping the streets of Amherst free of drunk drivers by his many arrests of impaired operators. For the past two years, Officer MacLean has received awards from Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his efforts, which is a distinguished honor. The Town of Amherst has seen several years without an alcohol-related fatality, and we believe that Officer MacLean’s hard work and commitment have made that possible.