U.S. Census Takers in Amherst

The U.S. Census Bureau has advised all law enforcement agencies that census questionnaires will be delivered beginning in late February of 2010. These questionnaires will either be delivered in hand or by mail throughout the spring and summer - ending in late August of 2010.

The U.S. Census Bureau and the Amherst Police Department are anticipating calls from citizens regarding strangers in their neighborhoods. The Amherst Police Department has been ensured by the U.S. Census Bureau that all census employees will have proper identification issued by the Census Bureau.

Below is a list of regulations that all census takers are to follow:

They will ALWAYS have an official U.S. Census ID badge with their name.
They may have a "U.S. Census Bureau" bag.
They will NEVER ask to enter your home.
They will ONLY ask the 10 questions that appear on the census form.
They will NEVER ask for your social security number or other financial information.
They will NEVER ask or suggest that you submit information to the census online. (There is no legitimate web site for entering census information.)

If you would like any further information, please visit the Official 2010 U.S. Census Website.

Amherst and UMass Police Respond to Vehicle Crashes

During the evening commute on Thursday, January 28th, Amherst Police received 37 calls for motor vehicle crashes and other traffic problems - most of which were a result of the roads icing up so quickly. The crashes, which began around 4 pm and continued until 11 pm, occurred throughout the town. Upon our request for mutual aid, the UMass Police Department responded to several of the crashes in town assisting Amherst officers who were tied up on other calls and crashes. Motorists are reminded to use caution when driving in inclement weather.

Several Amherst Officers Receive Awards

On January 27, 2010, at its annual Association Dinner, the Amherst Police Department recognized several officers for outstanding service to both the department and the community. The following officers were honored:

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Lt. Robert O’Connor received a Letter of Appreciation for his work in the creation and implementation of the Department’s Active Shooter Response Plan. Lt. O’Connor’s commitment and attention to detail has prepared officers, school staff, and administrators to effectively respond to this extremely dangerous and volatile situation.

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Officer John Chudzik and Officer Felipe Feliciano each received a Letter of Merit for their July 2009 response to a suicidal individual who was threatening to do harm to himself. Without hesitation and concern for their safety, the officers' quick thinking and calm demeanor in this life-threatening situation prevented the individual from harming himself.

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Officer Scott Gallagher and Officer Dominick Corsetti each received a Letter of Merit for their commitment and professionalism in the detection and apprehension of drunk drivers. Both Officers have in the past been recognized statewide by MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) for their excellence and leadership in drunk driving enforcement. Officer Gallagher is a three-time MADD award winner having made more than 100 arrests for drunk driving within the past four years. Officer Corsetti is a two-time MADD award winner who each year is one of the leading officers within the department in drunk driving arrests.

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Officer Todd Lang, Officer William Laramee, Officer Jesus Arocho, Officer Jamie Reardon, and Officer Marcus Humber all received Letters of Appreciation for the facilitation of the Amherst Police and University of Massachusetts Police Department’s Summer Youth Adventure Academy. The officers were charged with developing the program which included classroom lecture on the law enforcement profession along with team building and problem solving skills at the department’s Adventure Ropes Course.
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The Amherst Police Department is proud of all its officers. The Department makes a point to recognize individual officers who perform their work in an extraordinary way or in a way that goes beyond what is expected and brings credit to themselves and the entire Amherst Police Department. Congratulations!

2009 Community Partnership Award

On January 25, 2010, at the Amherst Select Board meeting, Chief of Police Scott P. Livingstone presented Scott Merzbach, a reporter for the Hampshire Gazette, with our 2009 Community Partnership award. Below is the text of the award.

“The Amherst Police Department wishes to formally and publicly commend Scott Merzbach who has made significant contributions to the Amherst Police Department through his professional and responsible journalism.

Community policing plays a significant role in the successes of the Amherst Police Department. In embracing community policing, we strive to develop partnerships that will help us improve the services that we provide to the Town. The media plays a vital role assisting us by enabling the police department to communicate our efforts to the vast majority of our community members. Scott Merzbach provides us with a dependable and articulate voice. By providing us with exceptional media coverage he has been instrumental in the success of many community programs and outreach efforts. Scott has assisted the department with numerous criminal investigations by writing accurate and unbiased articles which have resulted in the department obtaining valuable leads. In addition, he provides to the public a glimpse into some of the obstacles and dangers that the members of the department face policing the Town. Scott is a remarkable journalist who is able to observe and gather information regarding current events, report them clearly and explain their significance to the members of our community.

The Amherst Police Department values Scott as a member of our community and for the special contributions he has made to this department. In honor of his outstanding coverage of this department, and to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation, the Amherst Police Department is pleased to present Scott Merzbach with our 2009 Community Partnership Award.”

Community Bulletin

The Amherst Police Department would like to make community members aware that a new Level 3 Sex Offender has moved to Amherst. Robert Martinez, a 31-year-old Hispanic male, is 5' 3" tall and weighs 225 pounds. Robert is homeless and he is required to re-register with the Amherst Police Department every 45 days. Robert is NOT wanted by the police at this time. A Level 3 Sex Offender is a person that the Sex Offender Registry Board determines may be a high risk of re-offending and the degree of dangerousness posed to the public is such that a substantial public safety interest is served by active dissemination.

Emergency Preparedness Guide

The Amherst SALT Council (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together) is pleased to announce the establishment of an Emergency Preparedness Guide for citizens of the town of Amherst. The Amherst SALT Council created this important publication after learning of the hardships faced by so many Hampshire and Franklin County citizens after the severe ice storms last winter. Countless residents, many of them seniors, were unprepared when they lost utilities and needed to evacuate their homes to seek shelter elsewhere.

This Emergency Preparedness Guide was designed to assist residents during times of emergencies and disasters by providing important contact information including the personnel and resources that the town utilizes to manage these crisis situations. In addition, the guide will contain vital information including the emergency broadcasting radio and television stations that will be providing continuous information to residents on the status of the emergency or disaster. It will address steps to take when you have to evacuate from your residence or if you have to shelter at your residence during an emergency or disaster. Most importantly, this publication lists supplies that are recommended for sheltering at a residence or necessary when you evacuate your residence with limited notice.

The Emergency Preparedness Guide is available at the Amherst Senior Center and the Amherst Police Department, and it can be downloaded from the Amherst Police Department website at http://www.amherstpd.org/. There is no cost for the Emergency Preparedness Guide. For more information on the Amherst SALT Council contact Officer Jamie Reardon at either 413-259-3000 or reardonj@amherstma.gov.

January is National Stalking Awareness Month

The Amherst Police Department would like to take this opportunity to inform you that January is National Stalking Awareness Month.

Stalking is a very dangerous crime that the Amherst Police Department takes seriously. Stalking can affect anyone and victims may be seriously hurt or even killed.

With technology, such as Myspace and Facebook, it is becoming easier and easier for stalkers to track potential victims. According to the Stalking Resource Center of the National Center for Victims of Crimes, 3.4 million Americans were victims of stalking in a period of just one year!

If you or anyone you know may be victims of stalking, please contact the Amherst Police Department at 413-259-3000. In cases of emergency, always remember to dial 911.

For more information on stalking, please visit the Stalking Resource Center website.

APD Blog Receives Nationwide Recognition!

Members of the Amherst Police “Blogging Team” are very happy and humbled to hear that on December 27th, 2009, the Amherst Police Department's blog was selected as the number one police department blog in the country! Including Amherst, Massachusetts had three of the top ten police blogs in the country. At number two was the Boston Police Department and at number six was our neighbor to the south, Granby Police Department. Thank you to all our readers and to our fellow bloggers. To see the rest of the top 50 blogs, click here.

Citizens Police Academy Begins

The Amherst Police Department would like to remind you that the Citizens Police Academy begins today, January 12, 2010. Those enrolled in the academy should plan to meet in the Amherst Police Department community room at 6:00 p.m. The community room can be accessed from the department's main lobby. Members of the Amherst Police Department are looking forward to a safe, fun and educational learning experience for all!

Questions regarding the Citizens Police Academy may be forwarded to Sgt. David Knightly at 413-259-3274.