“Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.” Mobilization

In a continued effort to keep Massachusetts' roadways safe, the Amherst Police Department is joining law enforcement agencies across the state in the “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.” Mobilization. The statewide effort, combining extra high-visibility traffic enforcement and public information, will run through Labor Day weekend from August 20, 2010, through September 6, 2010.

Drunk driving is a serious crime. In Massachusetts, a first offense for Operating Under the Influence (OUI) is punishable with a fine of up to $5,000 or by imprisonment for up to two and a half years - or both.

The Amherst Police Department recommends that if you host a party or barbecue over the holiday weekend where alcohol will be served, offer non-alcoholic beverages and food to prevent drinking from becoming the focus of your gathering. If you are heading out to an event and plan to consume alcohol, be sure to designate a sober driver or plan to utilize a taxi or mass transit.

According to Chief of Police Scott P. Livingstone, “The safety of our community is our number one priority, and to accomplish this we are aggressively enforcing the drunk driving laws. We realize that Labor Day, the unofficial end of the summer, provides opportunities for the consumption of alcohol at barbecues and parties. We want people to enjoy themselves, but we want them to be smart and safe, and if they are driving to be absolutely sober.”

The advice is basic, don’t drink and drive. Yet, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 120 people died in substance-related vehicle crashes in Massachusetts in 2008. This statewide effort, funded by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security with $890,000 in federal grant funding, aims to reduce that number.

Questions regarding this informational and enforcement initiative can be forwarded to Lieutenant William Menard or Patrolman Todd Lang. For more information visit the Highway Safety Division of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security website.

New APD Sergeants Announced

Chief Scott P. Livingstone is pleased to announce the promotion of two Officers after an extensive selection process which included a written examination and interviews with Chief Scott P. Livingstone, Town Manager Laurence Shaffer and Human Resources Director Eunice Torres. On August 23, 2010, Detective Gabriel Ting and Officer Jesus E. Arocho were promoted to the rank of Sergeant. The promotions will fill the positions that were vacated with the promotion of Sergeant William N. Menard and the retirement of Sergeant Michael D. Sullivan.

Detective Ting was appointed as a Patrol Officer with the Amherst Police Department in April of 1997. He was assigned patrol duties until his reassignment to the Detective Bureau in September of 2004. As a Detective, Ting obtained extensive specialized training in criminal investigation, sexual assault and child abuse. He has served as a Field Training Officer, Crime Scene Officer and Bicycle Patrol Officer, and he is a member of the Warrant Entry Team. In addition, Detective Ting is an academy instructor for the Massachusetts Police Training Committee in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Ting received his diploma from Amherst Regional High School in 1991. He graduated in 1997 from the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Academy, in Agawam, a member of the 28th Municipal Police Officer Class. Ting received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Massachusetts and a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Western New England College.

Ting is the son of Agnes Ting and James Ting of Amherst, Massachusetts. He currently resides in Belchertown with his wife Chelsea and their two children.

Officer Arocho was appointed as a Patrol Officer with the Amherst Police Department in January of 1999. Officer Arocho is deeply involved in Community Policing Programs including the RAD Program, Bicycle Patrol and the Adventure Based Ropes Course. He is a Field Training Officer, Bicycle Patrol Officer, Firearms Instructor, and Defensive Tactics Instructor for the department. In addition, Officer Arocho is a member of the Warrant Entry Team and the Search and Rescue Team.

Officer Arocho graduated in 1999 from the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Academy in Agawam, a member of the 31st Municipal Police Officer Class. He is a 1997 graduate of Holyoke Community College where he obtained his Associates Degree in Criminal Justice. He received a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from Westfield State College.

Prior to becoming an Officer in Amherst, he was a Correctional Officer at the Hampden County House of Corrections. In 1997, Arocho joined the Massachusetts Army National Guard, based out of Chicopee, MA, and advanced to the rank of Platoon Sergeant prior to the conclusion of his service in 2006.

Officer Arocho is the son of Maria Del C. Barreto, of Chicopee, Massachusetts, and Jesus Arocho, of Telford, Pennsylvania. He currently resides in Springfield with his wife Patricia and children.

Bylaw Fine Increase

The Amherst Police Department has recently received notification from Town Clerk Sandra Burgess that the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office has authorized a bylaw fine increase. In the spring, Town Meeting members voted to approve increasing fines for several bylaw violations. Fines are currently $300 for violating the following bylaws: open container of alcohol, unlawful noise, and unlawful possession of kegs. Prior to Town Meeting passing the amendment raising these fines, violation of the unlawful noise bylaw was $100, violation of the unlawful possession of kegs was $200 and violation of the open container bylaw was $50. The fee incurred for violation of the nuisance house bylaw, approved in 2008 by Town Meeting, will remain at $300.

According to Chief of Police Scott P. Livingstone, “The Amherst Police Department completely supported the Campus and Community Coalition, which proposed the amendment, to increase monetary penalties for those violating alcohol and noise bylaws. We hope that the steeper fines will deter these behaviors as these bylaw violations for open container, noise and unlawful kegs adversely affect the quality of life of Amherst citizens and neighborhoods.”

For more information, please contact Captain Christopher Pronovost at 413-259-3216 or via email.

Police Officer Deployed to Afganistan Receives Assistance From Local Business

Chief of Police Scott P. Livingstone extends his sincere appreciation to Boyden and Perron, Inc., a local landscape equipment company located at 41 South Whitney St., Amherst, MA, for their kindness and generosity to the family of an Amherst Police Officer.

Officer Carlos M. Gutierrez, a member of the Amherst Police Department since October 27, 2008, was deployed to Afghanistan with his Massachusetts Army National Guard Unit earlier this month. This is his fourth deployment including two deployments while serving in the United States Marine Corps.

Officer Gutierrez was married in June of this year and shortly thereafter he and his wife Jessica purchased their first home in Granby. As new homeowners, the Gutierrez family had not yet purchased lawn equipment when they received word that Officer Gutierrez’s deployment had been moved forward. Since his deployment to Afghanistan, Amherst Police Officers have been transporting the necessary equipment and assisting Mrs. Gutierrez with yard maintenance. When Tom Perron, whose family has owned and operated Boyden and Perron, Inc. for many years, learned of the difficulties facing the Gutierrez family, he generously offered to loan Mrs. Gutierrez a lawn mower for the rest of the mowing season.

Chief of Police Scott P. Livingstone stated, “The Amherst Police Department recognizes the need to support departmental members and their family who are activated for military service. Having a long-standing community business like Boyden and Perron, Inc. come to the aid of the Gutierrez family is a show of outstanding support of the police department, our members, and all United States Service Members. I am very appreciative of the assistance and generosity of the Perron family.”

Police Chief Scott P. Livingstone and Mrs. Jessica Gutierrez will be meeting with Tom Perron on Thursday, August 12, 2010, at 8:30 a.m., at Boyden and Perron, Inc., to be presented the lawn mower. For questions regarding this event please contact Chief Scott P. Livingstone at 413-259-3014.

Sergeant William N. Menard Promoted to Lieutenant

Chief Scott P. Livingstone is pleased to announce the promotion of Amherst Police Sergeant William N. Menard to the rank of Lieutenant effective August 16, 2010. Sergeant Menard was promoted after an extensive selection process which included a written examination and interviews with Chief Scott P. Livingstone, Town Manager Laurence Shaffer and Human Resources Director Eunice Torres. This promotion will fill the position that was vacated with the promotion of Captain Christopher G. Pronovost.

William N. Menard was appointed as a Patrol Officer with the Amherst Police Department on December 5, 1994. He was assigned patrol duties until his reassignment to the Detective Bureau on September 6, 2000. Menard advanced to the rank of Sergeant on April 1, 2003, and he was assigned as a patrol supervisor. In 2008, Sergeant Menard was appointed as a supervisor in the Detective Bureau. Sergeant Menard will be assigned to the night shift as an Operations Lieutenant.

Sergeant Menard graduated in April of 1995 from the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Academy in Agawam. Prior to becoming an Officer in Amherst, Menard was a Reserve Police Officer for the Town of Granby, Massachusetts.

Sergeant Menard is currently pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice from Holyoke Community College.

William N. Menard is the son of William and Marilyn Menard of Granby, Massachusetts. He resides in Granby with his wife, Tara, and two children, Hollie and Matthew.