Lions, Tigers and BEARS! OH MY!!

Amherst Police took a number of phone calls yesterday morning, Tuesday, April 29, between 5:45 am and 8:00 am from residents in the area of Dana Street and Blue Hills Road concerning a large black bear that was walking around their backyards and fence lines. Officers responded to the area, and advised those out walking their dogs to stay out of the area for their own safety.
Officers observed a black bear, weighing more than 300 pounds, in the area of #48 Blue Hills Rd. that had knocked over a bird feeder and was simply snacking away. Sgt. Menard requested that the Environmental Police respond to the area due to the proximity of the bear to the homes and the downtown area. Environmental Police Officer Unaitis and Connecticut Valley Wildlife District Manager Ralph Taylor arrived in the area around 8:30 am. The large black bear was located at 10:40 am, and it was tranquilized so it could be moved to a safe location. The bear was soundly and safely sleeping approximately 15 minutes after being tranquilized. Officers were able to move the bear without incident.

Weekend Activity Log 4/25 - 4/27

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Over the past weekend, Amherst Officers responded to 198 calls for service, and 18 individuals were either arrested or will be summonsed into court on criminal charges.

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The primary offenses for which these persons are charged include:

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Liquor Law Violations (including Possession of Alcohol under 21, Open Container) - 9 Persons

Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol - 1 Person

Noise Complaint (Town By-Law) - 1 Person

Motor Vehicle Offenses – 1 Person

Disorderly Conduct – 1 Person

Possession of Class D (Marijuana) - 1 Person

Trespass Violation - 1 Person

Assault & Battery - 2 Persons

Assault & Battery on a Police Officer - 1 Person

Recent Increase in Vandalism

The Amherst Police are investigating a rash of vandalisms occurring in town. On the morning of April 21st, two Amherst businesses reported that several vehicles in their parking lots were vandalized overnight. On April 23rd, the overnight shift found eight downtown locations (businesses and town buildings) had graffiti spray-painted on them. Citizens with information are requested contact Detective David Foster at fosterd@amherstma.gov or 413-259-3015.

Weekend Activity Log 4/18 - 4/20

Over the past weekend, Amherst Officers responded to 253 calls for service, and 25 individuals were either arrested or will be summonsed into court on criminal charges.

The primary offenses for which these persons are charged include:
Liquor Law Violations (including Possession of Alcohol under 21, Open Container) - 9 Persons
Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol - 1 Person
Noise Complaint (Town By-Law) - 7 Persons
Motor Vehicle Offenses – 2 Persons
Larceny – 1 Person
Possession of Class D (Marijuana) - 3 Persons
Warrant - 2 Persons

Weekend Activity Log 4/11 - 4/14

Over the past weekend, Amherst Officers responded to 237 calls for service, and 30 individuals were either arrested or will be summonsed into court on criminal charges.

The primary offenses for which these persons are charged include:
Liquor Law Violations (including Possession of Alcohol under 21, Open Container) - 5 Persons
Disorderly Conduct - 2 Persons
Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol - 1 Person
Noise Complaint (Town By-law) - 16 Persons
Assault and Battery - 3 Persons
Motor Vehicle Offenses – 2 Persons
Domestic Assault – 1 Person

Another First - Amherst Goes High Tech

The Amherst Police Department is now accepting online criminal report filing. As a result of budget constraints, and the loss of funding for two police officers in July of 2007, the Amherst Police Department began investigating ways to be more efficient with less staff. Online incident filing, which is common in other areas of the country but has not yet been utilized in Massachusetts, was identified as a way citizens could report minor incidents and complaints without having a police officer respond. This allows officers to be available to investigate more serious incidents. Citizens are reminded to call 911 when there is an emergency.

When a citizen files a report online, he or she is immediately e-mailed a temporary copy of the report. Within 24-48 hours this temporary report is reviewed by a police officer and approved for download into our records management system. At that time, the citizen is then emailed, free of charge, the approved report for their records or insurance needs. The online reporting system is easy to use and can be accessed via our website - http://www.amherstpd.org/.

Reports currently being accepted online include: larcenies, hit and run motor vehicle crashes, vandalism, annoying/harassing phone calls, lost property, traffic complaints, anonymous crime tips, and homeland security tips. The types of reports that will be accepted online will be expanded in the near future. Any criminal incident that has a suspect or possible evidence cannot be reported online.

To purchase the online filing software, which was developed by Coplogic, Inc. of San Ramon, CA, the Police Department received funding from the Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council (WRHSAC). The WRHSAC provides funding and technical assistance to law enforcement agencies to further advance technologies and information sharing between local law enforcement agencies. Questions regarding this new system can be forwarded to Lt. Jennifer Gundersen at gundersenj@amherstma.gov or 413-259-3012.

Violence Erupts... Again!

The Amherst Police Department had yet another very busy weekend. One Police Officer was injured, and 35 arrests were made with several more charges pending once investigations are complete.

An Officer, who was dispersing an unruly crowd at Colonial Village apartments, was struck by a bottle that was thrown by one of the party goers there. The bottle struck the Officer's hand, shattering on impact, causing several lacerations. It took approximately 30 minutes, and the entire working shift, to clear the area. Off-duty Officers were forced to assist as the crowd was extremely hostile towards the Police.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, Officer Forcum observed a fight erupt on Triangle Street between UMass students and known gang members from Amherst. As a result of this melee, several arrests were made. The arrested individuals were charged with assault and battery (causing serious bodily injury), disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The victim of this fight was found to have a broken nose and serious facial trauma. When found by the Police, the victim was bleeding profusely from the head.

While Officers were investigating that incident, another fight erupted a few blocks from Triangle Street where a man was reported to be wielding a knife. As Officers were committed to the first incident, only a limited number could respond to look for this man. All available Officers responded, but they were unable to locate him or any other involved parties.

A short time after that, Officers were called to Phillips Street where there was a report of a man being beaten with a large, metal pipe. The combatants fled through the woods onto UMass property before police arrived, and they were located by the UMass Police near the Visitors Center on Massachusetts Avenue where they were once again actively fighting. Amherst Police and UMass Police broke up the fight and found one victim bleeding profusely from his head and nose. He was transported to Cooley Dickinson Hospital. The investigation into this incident is on-going and charges are pending.

Due to the increasing violence in Amherst, Officers worked well past the end of their normal shifts in order to provide police services to the Town.

Police Fundraising Scam

Over the last several weeks, there have been several reports of telephone solicitations and scams. The Amherst Police Department wants to remind citizens that we never solicit money, either over the telephone or through the mail. Please direct further questions to the Amherst Police Detective Bureau at 413-259-3015.

Police Investigating Possible Stabbing

On April 11, 2008, at 1:56 am, several Amherst Police Officers were dispatched to Alpine Commons, 133 Belchertown Rd., for a report of a fight in progress and possibly a stabbing. Upon arrival, Officers located two victims. Both men are UMass students and 21-years-old. Both were treated and released at Cooley Dickinson Hospital with various, non-life-threatening injuries that included abrasions and cuts. One of the men was found to have a puncture wound on his hand.

The investigation has revealed that the two victims were amongst a group returning to an apartment at Alpine Commons. An argument erupted in the parking lot, and a fight that involved 8-10 people ensued. When one of the men in the parking lot brandished a knife, the group ran and attempted to lock the door to their apartment. The door was damaged as the assailant group made entry into the apartment where the assault occurred. The assailant group fled as Officers arrived.

The matter remains under investigation, and anyone with any information about this incident is urged to contact the Amherst Police Department Detective Bureau at 413-259-3015.

Weekend Activity - April 4 to 7, 2008

Over the past weekend, Amherst Officers responded to 281 calls for service, and 41 individuals were either arrested or will be summonsed into court on criminal charges.

The primary offenses for which these persons are charged include:
Liquor Law Violations (including Possession of Alcohol under 21, Open Container) - 20 Persons
Disorderly Conduct - 2 Persons
Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol - 1 Person
Outstanding Warrant - 1 Person
Noise Complaint (Town By-law) - 8 Persons
Assault and Battery - 2 Persons
Motor Vehicle Offenses – 4 Persons
Breaking and Entering – 2 Persons
Shoplifting – 1 Person

Bicycle Patrol Kicks Off "Busy Season"

From Saturday night into Sunday morning, Amherst Police sent out five bicycle patrol Officers and a prisoner transport van to focus on alcohol-related offences. Officers focused their attention in the North area of town. This detail focused on North Pleasant Street including Hobart Lane, Crestview Apartments, Puffton Village, and Townehouse and Brandywine Apartments. Officers faced high volumes of foot traffic, and they responded to many noise complaints as well. Between 10 pm and 3 am, more than 20 arrests were made - many by the uniformed bike patrol. Officers will continue their patrol on bikes until the end of the school year since the Department's call volume tends to increase dramatically during the warmer weather. All Officers are preparing for a busy spring.

Weekend Activity Log 3/28 - 3/30

Over the past weekend, Amherst Officers responded to 250 calls for service, and 24 individuals were either arrested or will be summonsed into court on criminal charges. The primary offenses for which these persons are charged include:

Liquor Law Violations (including Possession of Alcohol under 21, Open Container) - 9 Persons
Disorderly Conduct - 1 Person
Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol - 2 persons
Outstanding Warrant - 2 Persons
Noise Complaint (Town by-law) - 9 Persons
Possession of Class D - 1 Person

Three Arrested for OUI

Three individuals were arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol last night, and it seems that Tuesdays, which used to be fairly quiet for the Amherst Police Department, are the new 'party' night. Patrick Coughlin, 21, from Newton, MA, was arrested by Officer Gallagher at 1:36 am. Emma Osbourne, 19, from Madison, CT, was arrested by Officer Feliciano at 1:53 am. Daniel Ahern, 22, from North Quincy, MA, was arrested by Officer Russell at 1:59 am.