Weekly Activity Report 2/16/09 - 2/22/09

This past week, Amherst Police Officers responded to 447 calls for service, and 22 individuals were either arrested or will be summonsed into court on criminal charges.

The primary offenses for which these persons are charged include:

Possession of Alcohol Under 21 - 2 persons
Assault and Battery (Domestic) - 2 persons
Shoplifting - 3 persons
Disorderly Conduct - 2 persons
Disturbing a School - 1 person
Operation Under the Influence of Alcohol (OUI) - 1 person
Operation of a MV with Suspended License - 1 person
Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle - 1 person
Possession of Class D - 2 persons
Town By-Law Unlawful Noise - 6 persons
Warrant - 1 person

Meet Officer Chandler

Chief Charles L. Scherpa announced the appointment of a new patrol officer to the Amherst Police Department. Nicholas J. Chandler was appointed after an extensive selection process. Chandler, 22, is a 2005 graduate of Ralph C. Mahar Regional High School, in Orange, MA, and a 2007 Graduate of Mount Wachusett Community College, in Gardner, MA, where he obtained his Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. He graduated on November 21, 2008, from the 2nd Municipal Police Training Academy in Boylston. Prior to becoming an officer in Amherst, Chandler was a patrol officer for the towns of Shutesbury and New Salem, Massachusetts.

Winterfest 2009!

On February 7th, Amherst Leisure Services hosted the 2009 Winterfest at the Cherry Hill Golf Course in North Amherst. Activities included a chili cook-off, cross-country ski races, cardboard sledding races, ice sculptures, golf long-drive contest, face painting, sleigh rides, sledding and tubing, wine tasting, and even fireworks! The Amherst Police Department assisted attendees with traffic and parking, and they also provided identification kits for children.

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"ID Kits for Kids" are essential, both for children and for parents, as they provide important and necessary information for authorities in the event of an emergency including contact information and other essential numbers. The kits provide parents the peace of mind in knowing that their child's caregiver or daycare provider has important emergency information on-hand when it is needed. The kits include information that could be used to help provide immediate care, and they also include a medical release signature line authorizing medical treatment for your child if you are not there. The Amherst Police Department was proud to provide this service to children in our town as well as to their parents.

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Photos courtesy of Aidan Acker.

Weekly Activity Report 2/9/09 - 2/15/09

This past week, Amherst Police Officers responded to 424 calls for service, and 29 individuals were either arrested or will be summonsed into court on criminal charges.

The primary offenses for which these persons are charged include:

Possession of Alcohol Under 21 - 9 persons
Assault and Battery (Domestic) - 1 person
Receiving Stolen Property - 3 persons
Violation of Restraining Order - 1 person
Operation of a Motor Vehicle After Revoked Registration - 1 person
Operation Under the Influence of Alcohol (OUI) - 3 persons
Operation of a Motor Vehicle with Suspended License - 1 person
Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle - 2 persons
Possession of Class D - 1 person
Town By-Law Unlawful Noise - 2 persons
Warrant - 2 persons
CHINS Warrant - 1 person
Open Container of Alcohol on a Public Way - 2 persons

Bittersweet Finale for LETR

On Friday, February 6, after three straight days of running more than eight miles per day, Lt. Robert J. O’Connor and his teammates in the Law Enforcement Torch Run were told that the final day would be the hardest. Together they would have to run another eight miles and attend six assemblies. Two of their team members would be speaking that day as well.

Mark Van Schie, an officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who is assigned to work in Manitoba, was the first to speak. Mark was Lt. O’Connor’s roommate for the duration of the LETR, and Lt. O’Connor said that he is a true professional. Mark is dedicated to the RCMP and to the Special Olympics as well. During his presentation at Timberline High School he spoke about the banners that adorned the walls of the school and about how the pride the students of Timberline had for their accomplishments was similar to the pride that the Special Olympics instill in the participating athletes.

After another stop, the LETR runners started their final run of 2.6 miles to The Idaho Center where the opening ceremony was to be held. Lt. O’Connor said that the final few miles were bittersweet as all of the team members reflected on the previous ten days’ events and on the impact that law enforcement had on the citizens of Idaho. More stunning, they noted, was the effect the Special Olympics athletes and the people of Idaho had on them!

Later, at The Idaho Center, preparations were being made for the opening ceremony, and it was going to be spectacular! Olympic skater Michelle Kwan was set to speak, and musician Kenny G would be there to perform as well.

The next day, all of the LETR team members participated in the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games Opening Ceremonies. Officers wore their town’s dress uniforms, and Lt. O’Connor said that he was impressed by the spectacular show of colors and distinctive designs that he saw. The officer from the Netherlands had a uniform with a golden braid, the officers from Northern and Southern Ireland had distinctive green and blue dress blouse coats, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police dressed in their recognizable red serge coats. It was there at the opening ceremonies that Lt. O’Connor said he understood that law enforcement from all around the world truly had been included in the torch run.

During the ceremonies, LETR team members would assist and escort each country’s teams into the arena. Lt. O’Connor was assigned to Team Chile, and while there was a strong language barrier, he was able to communicate with some of the team members who told him they would be playing floor hockey at the games. After escorting the athletes into the arena, Lt. O’Connor returned to his seat in the filled-to-capacity arena, and the crowd was entertained and motivated by a number of speakers, musicians, and athletes.

The LETR teams were then instructed to march to the staging area and to surround a twenty-five-foot cauldron. The torch that they had so proudly carried across the state of Idaho, and that had been lit in Greece months earlier, was brought into the arena. The torch bearer handed the torch off to athletes from around the world who circled the arena, passing it from one country’s athlete to the next, similar to a relay race. Finally, the torch was turned to light the cauldron. Officers sharply saluted the flame and the famous words, “Let the games begin!” were spoken. The athletes and the spectators erupted in applause as the moment they had all trained for had finally arrived.

Moving Speeches and Funny Moments

Thursday, February 5th, was a “short day” for Team 8, which was scheduled to address crowds in “only” four cities and to run “only” 5 miles. The first stop that day was to the town of Emmet where Special Olympian Van Pexa, from New Mexico, was the featured speaker. Van's parents traveled to Idaho and were there in the audience to cheer him on. Van, who is a member of Team 4, had “adopted” all of the LETR team members as part of his family. His enthusiasm and energy was contagious, and it kept all of the team members motivated during some of the long bus trips. Van is an inspiration and has participated in many sports – including running a marathon!

At Emmet High School, where Van was set to speak, all of the members of Team 4 gathered around him as he read his speech. Van’s disability prevents him from reading a text script, so his speech was written with caricatures. His teammates assisted him by turning the pages, and during the presentation he chastised them for turning the pages too quickly! It was all done in good humor though, and the crowd in the auditorium, Van, and his teammates all enjoyed the funny moment together.

Next, the group traveled to Weiser High School where Dan Meadows from Indiana Corrections was nearly brought to tears as he discussed the importance of the Special Olympics and how it had impacted his whole family when his Aunt Cindy was a participant. Although he did not recall how she placed in her events, he did remember the exuberance she showed whenever she displayed her medal.

Then, in Payette, Idaho, Grant Holle, a former school resource officer from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in Montana, was the next speaker. Grant talked about the heroes he met while participating with the LETR, and he noted that valuable lessons can be learned while spending time with a Special Olympics athlete.

After the final stop, the teams headed back to Boise, and although the day was shorter than the previous days, it was no less rewarding.

Crowds & Cadence Motivates LETR

Although members of the 2009 Law Enforcement Torch Run had the opportunity to travel throughout Idaho, taking in the sights and meeting many wonderful new friends along the way, they were there to run – and run they did!
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Tuesday, February 3, was another 8-mile day for the LETR, and Lt. Robert J. O’Connor said that even though the mileage was relatively high, he found that the runs were not difficult due in part to the support they received from the crowds that gathered along the routes. Lt. O’Connor said that it was not unusual for the streets to literally be lined with supporters cheering on the LETR and supporting the Special Olympics. In addition to all of the people on the sidelines, Lt. O’Connor said that the LETR team leaders called out cadences as they ran. A favorite cadence of the team leaders went, “We are the torch run, the mighty, mighty torch run!” The team leaders called out the cadence and the runners would respond. It provided motivation and helped to pump up the crowd as well.

The next few stops on the LETR’s tour included Wendell, Gooding, and the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls. In the city of Gooding, LETR team member Rikicia (Ricky) Robinson, a detective from Dallas, Texas, addressed the crowd and she related her own struggles with illness, and the efforts to overcome its effects, with the efforts the Special Olympians put into training for their events. Her speech ended on an enthusiastic note with all of the students assembled chanting, “Torch Run! Torch Run!”

The final ceremony was held at the College of Southern Idaho, in Twin Falls, and team member Arnold Morgano, who is also a police officer there in Twin Falls, spoke. The Twin Falls Police Department showed its respect for him and for the Special Olympics by escorting the team's buses into town as well as the torch run along its route. Despite the 20 degree temperature, the convoy was escorted by several Twin Falls officers riding on motorcycles!

Lt. O'Connor Presents Gifts From Amherst

For Lt. Robert J. O’Connor and members of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, participation in the events leading up to the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games not only meant ceremonies and celebrations, and a lot of running too - some days as far as 8.1 miles! - but it also meant speaking in front of the crowd and sharing what the LETR and Special Olympics means to them.

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In Inkom, Idaho, at the Inkom Elementary School, Lt. O’Connor took his turn to speak alongside Jason Reinhold, a Special Olympian from Michigan. The entire school community had gathered in the gymnasium where they were welcomed by the town's mayor and police chief and the school’s principal. Lt. O’Connor spoke about the many similarities between the Special Olympians and the police officers in the LETR, highlighting dedication, determination, and teamwork as shared values.

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It is tradition for LETR members to exchange gifts with the town officials to thank them for their hospitality, and Lt. O’Connor chose items from Amherst that displayed the town's rich heritage and values. Prior to his presentation of gifts, Lt. O’Connor proudly displayed the Amherst Police Department’s shoulder patch and asked the children if they could identify the objects in the town seal. He then explained that the seal features a book and a plow to symbolize the town’s roots in education and agriculture. He then presented the chief and mayor with a UMass shirt (thank you to Peter Brooks and UMass Athletics) explaining that Amherst is home to the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts. He also presented them with a bottle of maple syrup from Atkins Farms to symbolize the town’s agricultural roots.
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After the ceremony, as the team members began to run, they were followed by some of the students who chased them, playfully throwing snowballs. One of the LETR team members threw a snowball back, and, before they knew it, the entire school seemed to be embroiled in a good-natured snowball fight!

Scam Letter

One of our SALT members (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together) was kind enough to forward this scam letter to us. SALT helps to educate the senior community about many safety issues including scams, and, as a member of our SALT partnership, she recognized this bogus letter immediately! Please remember that if it's too good to be true, it probably isn't.

Photos From Idaho

Lt. Robert J. O'Connor (far left) and his LETR

teammates with the Flame of Hope torch.

One of many celebrations and presentations

at the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games.

Just a few of the very special Special Olympians.

Special Olympics Mantra Holds Many Meanings

After traveling to Boise, the next stop for Lt. Robert J. O’Connor and his teammates in the Law Enforcement Torch Run was Burley, Idaho. There, as part of the opening ceremonies for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, Officer George Huang, from Chinese Taipei, spoke to the audience which included LETR team members, Special Olympians, dignitaries, and local well-wishers. Officer Huang spoke about what participating in the LETR meant to him, and he acknowledged the concerns he had about addressing the crowd in English. Officer Huang compared his reservations to the Special Olympics mantra which states, "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” Officer Huang said that it was this mantra and its meaning, along with the Special Olympians he met, that convinced him to attend this year’s events and to travel so far away from home.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the LETR teams continued on to the city of Pocatello, Idaho. The day was short because of the Super Bowl, but Lt. O’Connor said that the team leaders assured them that the pace would pick up starting on Monday when they would be running a total of 8.1 miles!

Click here to view a map of the final leg of the 2009 LETR and to see where Lt. O'Connor and his team will be headed next.

Blue Turf at Boise

January 31st was a travel day for Lt. Robert J. O’Connor and his Law Enforcement Torch Run teammates. The group was headed to Boise, Idaho, and to the next stop of the opening ceremonies of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games. Lt. O’Connor marveled at the fact that they had to fly in order to traverse the state. Besides the sheer distance, he noted that the LETR coordinators also had to contend with the logistics of moving more than 120 people and all of their luggage and supplies as well. In order to accommodate all of the team members, half of the group traveled in the morning and the other half went later in the day. Lt. O’Connor was among the first group and had to board a bus at 5:30 am in order to make the 7:25 am flight.

In downtown Boise, Special Olympics banners were seemingly everywhere - welcoming the group and making it clear that the people of the city had embraced the Special Olympics and were in support of the games.

Something else that the city of Boise is passionate about is football! Lt. O’Connor said that it is a huge pastime in Idaho, and at Boise State University, college football is huge. The Boise State stadium is known for its blue turf, and the LETR team members had a chance to not only tour the stadium, but to also go out onto the blue field. Boise State’s stadium is much larger than the one at UMass and its capacity is more than 30,000. Nevertheless, Lt. O’Connor said that he liked the traditionally colored field turf at UMass much better.
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In the photo, Lt. O'Connor (top row, second from right) and his LETR teammates tour the blue-turfed stadium at Boise State University.

LETR Team Members Still on the Run

Amherst Police Lt. Robert J. O’Connor is still in Idaho running with members of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR). Not only is he representing law enforcement officers from Massachusetts and meeting others from around the United States and beyond, but he is also getting the chance to tour the state of Idaho and to visit a variety of cities and towns.

On January 30th, day two of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, more than 120 team members gathered together to run into the town of Rathdrum where they were met by the town’s mayor, both the police and fire chiefs, and members of the community. Officer Jerri James, representing South Carolina, spoke and was quick to point out the dramatic change in temperature she felt from South Carolina to Idaho. The snow and cold did not deter the teams though, and together they traveled by bus to Lewiston, Idaho for the next leg of their trip. Along the way Lt. O’Connor and the teams enjoyed some of the spectacular Idaho scenery including the Snake River which flows through the mountains there.

After arriving in Lewiston, the LETR ran about a mile-and-a-half through the town’s main streets. Lt. O’Connor said that a large crowd lined the sidewalks and were quite vocal in their support of the Special Olympics. Bagpipe players from the Lewiston and Clarkson Fire Departments were also on-hand to perform at the welcoming ceremony.

People on the sidelines clapped and cheered, and there was music along the way, but the LETR teams made some noise of their own as well. As they ran, LETR teams were guided by a team leader who led the entire contingent in a running cadence always referencing the Special Olympics. Pat Finan, a member of Lt. O’Connor’s team and a Correctional Program Administrator for the State of Florida, made it his personal duty to acknowledge all of the people who gathered to welcome the torch and to help encourage his team along.

After Lewiston, the LETR continued on to Moscow, Idaho, the home of the University of Idaho and the Idaho Vandals. The LETR passed through the University's campus including the fraternity and sorority houses. There the students lined the streets and exchanged high-fives with the officers as they ran.

At the end of the day, LETR team members traveled by bus back to Coeur d'Alene where they had started. They had left the hotel at 7:40 am and did not return until 6:45 pm. Lt. O’Connor said that it was a long but extremely rewarding day.

Weekly Activity Log 1/26/09 - 2/1/09

This past week, Amherst Police Officers responded to 489 calls for service, and 29 individuals were either arrested or will be summonsed into court on criminal charges.

The primary offenses for which these persons are charged include:

Possession of Alcohol Under 21 - 3 persons
Assault and Battery - 1 person
Assault and Battery (Domestic) - 1 person
Receiving Stolen Property - 1 person
Larceny Over $250 - 1 person
Operation of a Motor Vehicle After Revoked Registration - 1 person
Operation Under the Influence of Alcohol (OUI) - 6 persons
Disorderly Conduct - 2 persons
Possession of Class D - 4 persons
Town By-Law Unlawful Noise - 6 persons
Town By-Law Unlawful Possession of Keg - 2 persons
Leaving the Scene of Property Damage - 1 person