Please Wear Your Seatbelt!

Chief Charles L. Scherpa is pleased to announce the Amherst Police Department has received a $12,000 Traffic Enforcement and Equipment Grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

A mobilization, titled “Click It or Ticket,” will be conducted November 22nd through November 30th, and Officers will be out on selected dates and times actively enforcing all Massachusetts motor vehicle laws. The goals of the mobilization are to increase effective enforcement of traffic-related laws, to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes, and to increase statewide safety belt use from 67% in 2008 to 70% in 2009. Massachusetts law requires all drivers and passengers to be properly restrained in a safety belt, booster seat or child safety seat. A driver may be stopped by police solely for having a child 12 years of age or younger improperly restrained ($25 fine per unbuckled occupant). Children under 5 and weighing 40 pounds or less must be properly secured in a child safety seat.

The Amherst Police Department conducts a Child Passenger Safety Checkpoint for Amherst residents on the third Thursday of each month by appointment only. Amherst residents should email the Amherst Police at police@amherstma.gov or call the Amherst Police Department Community Services Bureau at 413-259-3355 and leave a voice mail to schedule a 30-minute appointment to have their child car seats inspected and installed properly.

In total, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety is providing $3.2 million in grant funding to local police departments and to the State Police in order to fund mobilizations such as this one.

The Jimmy Fund Recognizes the Amherst Police Relief Association

The Jimmy Fund has recently awarded The Amherst Police Relief Association a plaque in recognition of their yearly contributions. The contributions are generated from the annual Rafters Road Race. Chief Scherpa was presented with the plaque, shown here, which he proudly accepted on behalf of the Association. It will be displayed at the Amherst Police station.

Child Safety Seat Inspections 11/20/08

The Amherst Police Department is committed to the safety of our children. Motor vehicle crashes pose a tremendous risk for children, but, when properly installed, child safety seats reduce the risk of death in a motor vehicle crash by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers. Safety belts reduce the risk of death or serious injury in a motor vehicle crash by up to 50%. This is where we can help.

The Amherst Police Department will be conducting child safety seat inspections on the 3rd Thursday of each month. The next scheduled inspection day is Thursday, November 20th, 2008. The program is open to Amherst residents and by appointment only. Our certified technicians will thoroughly inspect child passenger car seats for wear and effectiveness, and they will install them properly to assure the safest ride for our children.

To schedule a 30-minute appointment, either e-mail the Amherst Police Department at police@amherstma.gov or call 413-259-3355. This program is open to Amherst residents only. For information on the program, please contact Officer Michael Johnson at johnsonm@amherstma.gov.

This event is possible due to grant funding from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Highway Safety Division and Community Policing Grant Program.

Halloween Weekend Activity Report

Weekend activity report for Friday, October 31, 2008 through Sunday, November 2, 2008.

The Amherst Police Department responded to, or initiated, 193 calls for service where 31 individuals were either arrested or issued a criminal summons. Some of these individuals face more than one criminal charge.

A breakdown of these charges follows:
Assault and Battery: 7
Disorderly Conduct: 5
Failure to Disperse: 1
False/Misuse Liquor ID Card/License: 1
TBL Open Container of Alcohol: 9
TBL Unlawful Noise: 2
Threat to Commit a Crime: 1
Operating Under the Influence/Liquor: 1
Person Under 21 Possess Liquor: 11
Person Under 21 Procure Liquor: 1
Possession of a Class D Substance: 1
Resisting Arrest: 3
See/Deliver Liquor to Person Under 21: 1
Violate an Abuse Prevention Order: 1

What is Amherst SALT?

SALT, Seniors and Law Enforcement Together, is a community-based partnership that addresses the needs of the elders in Amherst. The Amherst SALT Council is composed of elders, the Amherst Police Department, the Amherst Fire Department, the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office, the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office and the Amherst Senior Center director. The local SALT council determines the needs of the community’s senior population as they relate to crime prevention and safety awareness, and it coordinates activities to meet those needs. We endeavor to find ways to minimize the difficulties seniors face in our changing world. Working together, we try to find ways to provide information and self-defense strategies for Amherst's aging population.

Our most recent project was the "Special Wishes Binder." Created in 2008 by the Amherst SALT Council, the SPECIAL WISHES BINDER is a document that you can print out or view on your computer that will assist in guiding you to make decisions about your affairs before you’re unable to do so. Included in the document are tips on power of attorney, comfort care/DNR documents, wills and financial statements. To receive a printed copy of the SPECIAL WISHES BINDER, please contact the Town of Amherst Senior Center at 413-259-3060, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.

Visit the Amherst Police Department website to see all of our programs for elders.