Patrolman Todd Lang, Thank You!

Chief of Police Scott P. Livingstone has recognized Patrolman Todd Lang for his traffic safety enforcement and education efforts. Patrolman Lang, who has been an Amherst Police Officer since 1993, is a member of the motorcycle patrol and the bicycle patrol, and he is a facilitator in the Ropes Adventure Course. Patrolman Lang is currently assigned to traffic enforcement on the 8:00 am to 4:00 pm shift. During 2010, Patrolman Lang had the most vehicle stops for speeding. Of those interactions, 84% of the stops resulted in written warnings to the operator. Patrolman Lang uses these opportunities to educate drivers on the speed limits within town. Amherst enjoys very few serious motor vehicle crashes due, in part, to the efforts of police officers like Todd Lang who educate the community on safe driving practices. Thank you, Patrolman Todd Lang, for keeping the Amherst community safe!

Did the actions of one of our police officers or civilian employees impress you? Please tell us about it! Use our website link to Commend an Amherst Police Department Employee.

Amherst Police Department Awarded State Accreditation

The Amherst Police Department was awarded state accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission. On June 9, 10, and 11, 2010, the department was subject to an extensive peer review by the Commission’s assessment team. While here, and as part of the verification process, assessors examined the department’s policies, procedures, operations, staffing, equipment and facility maintenance to demonstrate adherence to the Accreditation Commission’s strict, best practice standards. The Amherst Police Department successfully passed all 252 mandatory standards and exceeded the required optional standards by 20%.

In order to maintain state accreditation, which recognizes law enforcement professional excellence, the assessment team must verify, every three years, that the Amherst Police Department meets the Commission’s standards. In 2001, the Amherst Police Department became the second police department in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to be awarded accreditation status, and it was successfully reaccredited in 2004 and 2007.

Being recognized as an accredited agency requires commitment and continued professionalism from all members of the Amherst Police Department and further confirms a dedication on their part to provide the highest degree of police service to this community. Questions regarding the accreditation process can be forwarded to Captain Jennifer A. Gundersen at (413) 259-3012 or via email.

R U OK? Safety System

With the winter months upon us, Chief of Police Scott P. Livingstone would like to remind our citizens, especially the elderly and housebound, of an important service offered by the Amherst Police Department and the Amherst S.A.L.T. Council (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together) - the R U OK? Program.

The R U OK? Program is a computerized telephone reassurance program for at-risk seniors that assists elders or disabled individuals who may be housebound, live alone, or need the assurance of a daily phone call to feel safe and secure.

The program utilizes a computer housed in the Amherst Police Station to place a daily call, at a fixed time each day, to subscribers. The specific time of the automated telephone call is predetermined by the individual enrolled in the service. If the subscriber is "OK," he or she simply hangs up the telephone after hearing and acknowledging the pre-recorded message. If the call is unanswered, or if the telephone line is busy, two or more additional attempts at contact are made before the computer puts out an “alert report.” At this time, either a contact person or an Amherst Police Officer is dispatched to the home to check on the well-being of the subscriber.

To enroll in the R U OK? Program please contact Emergency Dispatcher Elizabeth Chudzik at (413) 259-3000 or via email. For additional information concerning this service or any elder program please contact Officer Jamie Reardon at 413-259-3000 or via email.

Crime Prevention and Fire Safety: A Community Event for Seniors of Amherst

Amherst Chief of Police Scott P. Livingstone and Amherst Fire Chief W. Tim Nelson are pleased to announce a community event designed to educate our seniors on crime prevention and fire safety.

The Amherst S.A.L.T. Council (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together), in partnership with the Amherst Senior Center, the Amherst Police Department, and the Amherst Fire Department, will be hosting this crime prevention and fire safety seminar at the Amherst Senior Center on Thursday, February 3, 2011, from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm.

Members of the Amherst Police Department will be discussing strategies and offering guidance to community members on how to avoid becoming victims of crimes. The Amherst Fire Department will provide information on fire safety and will help residents to identify proper methods of fire prevention and fire suppression. In addition, Amherst Police Officers and Amherst Firefighters will be discussing on-going initiatives to improve the quality of life for all residents of the Town of Amherst.

Please join us and learn how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of a crime or a fire hazard. This event is free and pre-registration is not required. If you need additional information please contact Amherst Police Officers Jamie Reardon or William Laramee via e-mail or at 413-259-3000 or Amherst Fire Department Captain John Ingram via e-mail or at 413-259-3082.

Child Passenger Car Seat Installations

The Amherst Police Department is committed to the safety of our children. Motor vehicle crashes pose a tremendous risk for children. When properly installed, child safety seats reduce the risk of death in a motor vehicle crash by 71% for infants and 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 the Amherst Police Department can help.

The Amherst Police Department conducts child passenger car seat inspections on the 3rd Saturday of each month. The next scheduled inspection day is Saturday, January 15, 2011, by appointment only. Our certified technicians will thoroughly inspect child passenger car seats for wear and effectiveness and install them properly to assure the safest ride for our children. To schedule a 30-minute appointment either e-mail the Amherst Police Department or call 413-259-3355. This program is open to Amherst residents only.

The Amherst Police Department has received funding from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Highway Safety Division for the equipment necessary to complete the inspections and installations. Questions regarding this program can be forwarded to Officer Felipe Feliciano or call (413) 259-3000.

False Alarm Fee Bylaw

The Amherst Police Department would like to remind community members of the False Alarm Bylaw. Passed in April 2008 by the Amherst Town Meeting, fees are assessed to owners of property with repeated responses by the Amherst Police to false burglar alarms. The bylaw appears to be effective in encouraging community members to address faulty systems or internal procedures that cause false alarms. In 2010, the Amherst Police Department responded to 585 false alarm calls - a 16% decrease in false alarms compared to 2008.

The False Alarm Fee Bylaw addresses burglar or intrusion alarms only and does not include fire alarms or medical alert systems. During each calendar year, a location is permitted three false burglar or intrusion alarms prior to a fine being assessed. Questions regarding the bylaw can be referred to the Amherst Police Records Office at 413-259-3016 or by email. Information can also be found on our website. The bylaw, in its entirety, is below:

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Amherst, Massachusetts General Bylaws

Any residence, school, municipal building or place of business which has an alarm system connected directly to the Police Department or connected indirectly to said Department through a private alarm company (each of which will be hereinafter referred to as a “monitored system”), shall be charged a fine for all responses by the Department to such buildings when the response is caused by: (1) the activation of the monitored system through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation, or negligence of the user of an alarm system or his employees or agents; or (2) the activation of the monitored system requesting, requiring or resulting in a response on the part of the Police Department when, in fact, there has been no unauthorized intrusion, robbery or burglary, or attempted threat. For the purposes of this bylaw, activation of a monitored system for the purposes of testing with prior approval by the Police Department, or by an act of God, including, but not limited to, power outages, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and similar weather or atmospheric disturbances shall not be deemed to be a false alarm. A fine for violation of this bylaw may be assessed against the owner or tenant of the residence or place of business. Penalties for violation of this bylaw shall be as follows, successive responses to be counted within any twelve month period:

First three responses - Warning; Fourth response - $50.00; Fifth response - $75.00; Sixth response - $100.00; Seventh response - $150.00; Eighth and subsequent responses - $200.00;

This section may be enforced pursuant to the noncriminal disposition method as contained in M.G.L. Chapter 40, Section 21D. Enforcing persons shall be police officers.

Amherst Police Department Citizens Police Academy

The Amherst Police Department will be hosting a Citizens Police Academy. The academy is a six-week program designed to introduce Amherst residents, seventeen years of age or older, to the internal workings of the Amherst Police Department in addition to the duties and responsibilities of individual officers. Classroom sessions will encompass a wide range of interesting topics including defensive tactics, less than lethal options, crime scene search, building search, field sobriety testing and the history of the Amherst Police Department.

Participants will be encouraged to actively participate in a variety of creative and hands-on classes conducted in a controlled environment that will foster a safe, fun and educational learning experience. There will also be demonstrations by several specialized units operating within the Amherst Police Department. The academy culminates with the participants having the opportunity to ride with the patrol officer assigned to the district in which they live.

Classes will be held weekly in the Amherst Police Department Community Room on Tuesdays, beginning March 8, 2011, and concluding April 12, 2011, from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Enrollment will be limited to the first 20 applicants, so please do not delay! The application deadline is Tuesday, March 1, 2011. Applications may be picked up in person at the Amherst Police Department or downloaded off our website.

Applications must be completed and returned to:
Amherst Police Department
Attn. Sgt. David Knightly
111 Main Street
Amherst, MA. 01002

Questions regarding the Citizens Police Academy may be forwarded to Sgt. David Knightly at 413-259-3274 or via email . Grant funding will be utilized to offset the cost of this program.

Thank You Patrolman Nicholas Chandler!

Chief of Police Scott P. Livingstone recognized Patrolman Nicholas Chandler for his enforcement of the operating under the influence of alcohol (OUI) laws. Patrolman Chandler had 23 OUI arrests in 2010, leading the department. Chandler, who has been a member of the Amherst Police Department since 2009, currently works the 12:00 am to 8:00 am shift. He started his law enforcement career at the New Salem Police Department. Chief Livingstone, who considers the enforcement of the OUI laws a top priority to ensure the safety of the community, cited the very few number of alcohol-involved crashes as a positive by-product of Chandler’s aggressive pursuit of intoxicated motorists. “Chandler continues to prove himself an important and valued member of the Amherst Police Department; we are fortunate to have him in Amherst,” said Chief Livingstone.
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Thank you Patrolman Nick Chandler, for keeping the Amherst Community safe!

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Is there an Amherst Police Officer you'd like to thank? Please use our Praise an Amherst Police Officer link on our website.