Todd S. Lang promoted to Sergeant

Effective August 31, 2011, Todd S. Lang will be promoted to Sergeant.

Todd S. Lang was appointed as a Patrol Officer with the Amherst Police Department on July 1, 1994, and he graduated from the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Academy, in Agawam, a member of the 20th Municipal Police Officers Class. Lang is deeply involved in Community Policing programs including the Bicycle Patrol, Youth Adventure Academy and the Adventure-Based Ropes Course. He is a Motorcycle Patrol Officer and a Ropes Course Instructor, and he is a crash investigator for the department.

Lang is a graduate of Mt. Wachusett Community College, where he obtained his Associate Degree in Criminal Justice, Westfield State College, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, and Western New England College where he received a Master's Degree of Science in Criminal Justice Administration.

Todd Lang is the son of Reginald C. and Patricia Lang, of Hardwick. He resides in Belchertown with his wife, Abigail, and two children, Parker and Tessa.

Jerry Millar promoted to Lieutenant

Effective August 31, 2011, Sergeant Jerry Millar will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Jerry Millar, a native of Amherst, joined the Amherst Police Department as a Special Police Officer in 1983. He was appointed as a Patrol Officer on October 1, 1987, and he graduated on January 8, 1988, from the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Academy, in Agawam, a member of the 10th Municipal Police Officers Class. Millar was assigned to the department’s Detective Bureau in 1991 and again in 1995. He advanced to the rank of Sergeant on January 22, 1997, and he was assigned as a patrol supervisor. He is a member of the department’s Crime Scene Search Team and Crime Prevention Team.

Millar is a graduate of Amherst Regional High School and Hamline University where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Physical Education.

Jerry Millar is the son of the late James and Jean Millar, of Amherst. He resides in Belchertown with his wife, Lisa, and two children, Lucas and Julie.

Community Concerns Gatherings

Officer John Chudzik is pleased to announce that he has arranged with the Jones Library for space to meet with residents of the west/central neighborhoods. The west/central district is roughly defined by Northampton Road to the South, Massachusetts Ave. to the North, and North and South Pleasant Streets to the East.

Officer Chudzik will be available at the Jones Library during the afternoon from 2 pm to 3 pm on the following dates in September and October:

• September 3 in the Amherst Room, 2nd floor of the library



• September 10 in the large meeting room on the ground floor of the library



• September 14, 21, 28 in the Amherst Room, 2nd floor of the library



• October 8, 15, 22, 26 in the Amherst Room, 2nd floor of the library

Future dates will be chosen and publicized at a later time.

Officer Chudzik will be available to answer questions about the Police Department and provide information on future department initiatives.

Residents are welcome to come and speak with Officer Chudzik about their neighborhood questions on these dates. Remember that if there is an issue that requires our immediate attention, please dial 413-259-3000 and dial 911 for all emergencies - police/fire/medical.

Amherst Police Department Sector Map

2011 Senior and Public Safety Annual Picnic

This year's annual picnic with the Amherst Senior Center was a great success! Held at the Hadley Young Men’s club on August 25th, the event was attended by 75 senior citizens and members of the Amherst Police Department, Amherst Fire Department, the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office and the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office. Thank you to Senior Center Director Nancy Pagano for coordinating the festivities!

Working the grill: Dave Fenton, Hampshire County Sheriffs; Police Chief Scott Livingstone, Amherst Police Department; Captain Chris Pronovost, Amherst Police Department

Serving food: Patrolman Jamie Readon and Patrolman Rudis Rodriquez, Amherst Police Department

Fire Chief Tim Nelson, Amherst Fire Department; Police Chief Scott Livingstone, Amherst Police Department; Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan; Captain Chris Pronovost, Amherst Police Department

Serving food: Carol Hepburn, Amherst Animal Welfare Officer; Representative Ellen Story; member of the community

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over...

Police Chief Scott P. Livingstone is pleased to announce that the Amherst Police Department will be participating in the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's Highway Safety Division's statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. Officers from the Amherst Police Department are joining more than 250 other local police departments and the Massachusetts State Police to crack down on drunk drivers across the Commonwealth. This mobilization will run from August 19, 2011, to September 5, 2011.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, there were 347 motor vehicle-related fatalities in Massachusetts in 2009. Thirty-nine percent of these deaths involved the use of alcohol or other drugs - just above the national rate of thirty-eight percent. Additionally, 108 of the vehicle operators who died in these crashes were at or above the legal limit. The 21 to 24-year-old age group had the highest percentage of fatalities involving alcohol-impaired crashes.

In 2010, the Amherst Police Department criminally charged 109 persons with operating under the influence.

“The Amherst Police Department is committed to this enforcement effort. If you are operating impaired, we will arrest you. No exceptions,” said Chief Livingstone.

Questions regarding this informational and enforcement initiative can be forwarded to Sergeant Gabriel Ting at (413) 259-3000, or via e-mail, or to Patrolman Todd Lang via email . For additional information concerning the Highway Safety Division of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, go to their website.

Safe Seats for Schools

The Amherst Police partners with the Amherst Pelham Regional School District to distribute free child passenger safety seats. See Sergeant Jesus Arocho in our public service announcement - now showing on ACTV.

http://blip.tv/amherst-media/safe-seats-for-kids-safety-initiative-5475564

Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Grant Received

The Amherst Police Department was selected as a recipient of the 2011 Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Grant for $7,500, which was awarded by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), Highway Safety Division. This funding will be used to provide a multi-pronged enforcement and educational program to promote pedestrian and bicycle safety.
This grant will provide funding for high visibility crosswalk markings within the downtown region. It will additionally fund overtime for Amherst Police Officers, who will work in partnership with Amherst College Police Officers, to conduct a series of crosswalk educational and enforcement campaigns at the crosswalks around the Amherst College campus. Amherst Officers have received training on new bicycle laws, and specific grant-funded enforcement initiatives will target cyclists who do not have proper lighting after dark as well as motorists who fail to heed the right of way to cyclists.

The Amherst Police Department has worked in conjunction with different organizations in Amherst, including the Amherst-Pelham Public School Department and the UMass Transit Services, to promote pedestrian and bicyclist safety. Amherst Officers will be participating in several school department events, the First Day celebration on the Town Common, and they will provide UMass Transit Services with literature and signage promoting pedestrian and cyclist safety. Officers will also be conducting selective enforcement at those crosswalks primarily used by elementary school students.

“From 2007 to 2009 we had twenty-eight pedestrians involved in crashes and thirty-nine bicyclists involved in crashes. One pedestrian-involved crash resulted in a fatality, and two bicycle-involved crashes resulted in fatalities. Pedestrian and cyclist safety is a focal point in our overall goal of promoting safety for our motoring public,” said Chief of Police Scott P. Livingstone. “We are very fortunate that EOPSS has given us this grant which will fund our Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program.”

If you have any questions or need additional information concerning the Amherst Police Department's Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program please contact Officer Matthew Frydryk at (413) 259-3000 or via e-mail. For more information about the EOPSS Highway Safety Division, please go to their website at www.mass.gov/highwaysafety.

New APD Officers Graduate Academy

Chief Scott P. Livingstone is pleased to announce that Patrol Officers Jessica L. Damon, Johanlet Medrano and Rudis R. Rodriguez graduated from the Western Massachusetts Regional Police Academy, in Springfield, Massachusetts, on July 27, 2011. Patrol Officers Damon, Medrano and Rodriguez have begun their twelve-week field officer training program.

Jessica L. Damon, 26, is the daughter of Mark Drozdowski and Linda Drozdowski of Salisbury and Easthampton, Massachusetts. She is a 2003 graduate of Easthampton High School. She obtained her Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Holyoke Community College in 2006 and is a 2009 graduate of Westfield State College where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Ms. Damon served as a Military Police Specialist in the Army National Guard from July 2002 through July 2010. She was deployed with her unit to Iraq from 2007 to 2008 and was the recipient of the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal and the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal during her years of service. Ms. Damon was previously employed as a reserve police officer for the Greenfield Police Department.

Johanlet Medrano, 29, is the son of Anselmo Medrano and Emiliana Fiallo of the Dominican Republic. He is a 1999 graduate of Haverhill High School and a 2010 graduate of Northern Essex Community College, in Haverhill, MA, where he obtained an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice. Mr. Medrano joined the Army National Guard in 2002 and currently holds the rank of Staff Sergeant. He has been deployed twice to Iraq. His first tour of duty in Iraq was from 2004 to 2005, and his second tour was from 2007 to 2008. Mr. Medrano was previously employed in the Transportation Security Administration Division at Logan Airport, Boston, MA.

Rudis R. Rodriguez, 24, is the son of Alejandrina Ramos and Rudis Rodriguez of Worcester, Massachusetts. He is a 2006 graduate of Dickinson High School in Jersey City, New Jersey. After graduating from high school Mr. Rodriguez enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and currently holds the rank of Lance Corporal, E3. He was deployed with his unit for Operation Enduring Freedom, in Afghanistan. During his military service Mr. Rodriguez has been awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, Selective Marine Corps Reserve Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and he received a Letter of Appreciation from his commanding officers.

(photo left to right Rudis R. Rodriguez, Jessica L. Damon, Johanlet Medrano)

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 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 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, August 20, 2011, by appointment only. Open to all community members, 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.

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 at (413) 259-3000.

Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run - Saturday, August 13th at 7:00 pm

Please come and support the Amherst Police, the UMass Police and the Hamden County Sheriff’s Office as they support the Special Olympians of Western Massachusetts in the 2011 Law Enforcement Torch Run. The host and other area police departments will carry the Special Olympics Flame of Hope to the opening ceremony at UMass. The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is an international partnership between law enforcement personnel and the Special Olympics. More than 85,000 officers participated in the program in 2010, raising over $38 million around the world. This partnership allows local police officers to help raise awareness and funds that directly support the local Special Olympics athletes in their communities.

“The athletes really appreciate our support and involvement in the torch run, and the police officers find it a rewarding experience,” said Amherst Police Lt. Robert J. O’Connor who has coordinated the Amherst Police Department's partnership with the Special Olympics for the past 15 years.

The 3-mile run starts at the Amherst Police Department, at 7:00 pm, on Saturday, August 13th, and it ends at the Southwest Quadrangle at UMass, off of Fearing Street.

In 2010 the Massachusetts LETR raised $144,000 to support the local athletes.

For more information on the 2011 Law Enforcement Torch Run, contact Lt. O’Connor at 413-259-3208 or email. You can also visit the Massachusetts Special Olympics Website.

Attached photo of Sergeant Chuck Nelson and Sergeant Brian Daly with Special Olympic athletes.

Patrolman Stephen E. Zahn

The Amherst Police Department lost a friend last week. Patrolman (Ret.) Stephen E. Zahn died after a year-long illness.

Patrolman Zahn joined the Amherst Police Department in 1975. He was a member of the 65th Municipal Police Training Class, at the Massachusetts State Police Academy, graduating February 6th, 1976. Prior to becoming an Amherst Police Officer, Patrolman Zahn was a Military Police Officer in the United States Army from 1971 to 1973, and he was honorably discharged after his service in Vietnam. During his Amherst career, Patrolman Zahn worked all uniform patrol shifts, he was the court liaison officer and a detective, and he did undercover narcotic work in the early 1980’s. Patrolman Zahn is remembered as a founding member of the Amherst Police Horse Patrol and he was assigned to "Kiwi" until his Vietnam-era injuries made it too difficult for him to ride the horse.

“Steve was always about community policing,” said Patrolman (Ret.) Sabino Epiceno. “even before community policing was the thing to do. He really cared about Amherst.” By glancing through his employment folder, Patrolman Zahn accumulated dozens of thank you letters from community members who, throughout the years, appreciated his service.

Patrolman Zahn retired in 2002 after a very successful 26-year career. The members of the Amherst Police Department were fortunate to call Steve a friend and brother in law enforcement.