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Updated LTC Guidance: Suspension of Operations During COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted By Winchester Police on March 17th, 2020

Below is information regarding the application and renewal of firearms license to carry (LTC) procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic. We appreciate your cooperation.

All applicants are instructed to mail in their new or renewal applications.

Include a check for the application fee along with the application. Processing will not be initiated without the appropriate fee included.
Applications are available on the FRB website here: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-firearms-license.
For new applicants, Winchester PD is temporarily delaying the in-person portion of the licensing process including interviews, fingerprinting and photographs in order to comply with the Governor’s social distancing guidelines.
If you apply for a renewal prior to the expiration of their license (and who get a receipt acknowledging so), your license will remain valid until the agency approves or denies it. As a result, delaying the in-person portion of the licensing process will not prejudice these licensees.
If you apply for renewal after the expiration of their LTC, c.140, sec.131(i) states that for the purposes of c.269. sec.10 an LTC shall be deemed valid for a period not to exceed 90 days beyond the expiration date unless the LTC is revoked. Note this provision applies only to LTC and not FID Cards.

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Safety Reminders Ahead of High School Prom and Town-Wide Events

Posted By Winchester Police on April 29th, 2019

Winchester Police and Winchester Coalition for a Safer Community Offer Safety Reminders Ahead of High School Prom and Town-Wide Events

WINCHESTER — As residents of all ages look forward to Winchester’s spring traditions of the En Ka Fair, senior prom and Town Day, Chief Peter MacDonnell and Winchester Police wish to offer information and tips for remaining safe during each event.

The En Ka Fair takes place on May 17 and 18, senior prom is scheduled for May 29 and Town Day will be held on June 1.

“Each of these events is well attended enjoyed by Winchester’s residents,” Chief MacDonnell said. “Our top priority is ensuring that everyone has a good time and gets home safely. We want high school seniors in particular to be conscious of their behavior and the importance of making good decisions on prom night.”

Residents should be aware that some roads will be closed during these events. Beginning on Tuesday, May 15 at 6 p.m. and continuing through the morning of Sunday, May 19, Skillings Road will be closed in both directions from the high school entrance to the Town Hall intersection in order to accommodate the EnKa fair. On Thursday, May 15, Mount Vernon Street will be closed in both directions from the rotary to the Town Hall intersection starting at 6 p.m. and also continuing through the morning of Sunday, May 19. For both the fair and Town Day, motorists should exercise extreme caution due to increased pedestrian traffic on town streets and sidewalks.

Winchester Police will have an increased presence at each event, but fair and Town Day attendees should remain vigilant and maintain awareness of their surroundings. Anyone who sees something that appears suspicious or out of place should immediately notify an event organizer or public safety officials. Parents please keep in mind that during this time of year, risky behaviors (such as underage alcohol use, vaping and/or juuling and marijuana use) among our middle and high school aged youth may increase.

Prom can be one of the most memorable and exciting events of their high school career, but for parents, it can be a stressful night. Students should remember the decisions made before, during and after prom can have long-term consequences.

Chief MacDonnell recommends parents reinforce the importance of good decision making with their children, and encourages families to remember the following guidelines as prom night approaches.

Think responsibly: Students are responsible for their own actions, and should not feel pressured to take part in inappropriate behavior — prior, during, or after the dance. It’s OK to say no, even if others are participating.

Travel safely: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teenagers. Always buckle up, no matter how short the trip. It’s the law.

Don’t drink and drive, and don’t get in a car with a driver who has been drinking.
Don’t text and drive. Texting and cell phone use while driving is illegal for Massachusetts teens under 18 years old.

Plan ahead and know the law: After prom parties should be supervised. Students should make plans to be with friends and notify parents or guardians where they’ll be and how to reach them.

The Good Samaritan Law (M.G.L. 94C §34A) states that a person experiencing a drug-related overdose (or someone with the overdosing party) who seeks medical assistance will not be charged or prosecuted for possession of a controlled substance.
The law now also provides immunity from prosecution for those under twenty-one who unlawfully possession alcohol (c. 138 § 34C) and those who unlawfully purchase alcohol (c. 138 § 34A) when seeking medical attention for alcohol incapacitation. The person who calls for medical attention and the person in need of medical attention are immune from prosecution from these alcohol related offenses.
Under the Social Host law, parents are criminally and civilly liable if they allow underage drinking to occur in their homes or any property controlled by them.

Communicate: Parents should reinforce to their children that they will not tolerate underage drinking, and that’s it is illegal. Get students’ itineraries for the evening, including whom they will be with, where they’ll be going before and after the prom, and the phone numbers of where you can contact them. Come to a fair decision on a curfew and express any concerns about their health and safety.

Be understanding: Family members are urged to make it clear to their children that they can call them at any time for help, advice or a ride.

The Winchester Police Department is here as a resource for the community and our ultimate goal is to keep all people who live in or visit Winchester safe.

Please join us for a community presentation on the Challenges We Face With Underage Drinking on Tuesday evening May 7, 2019 from 7-8pm in the Winchester High School Library/Media Center. This program is being co-sponsored by the Winchester Coalition for a Safer Community and the Winchester Police Department. All are welcome to attend.

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Medication Take Back

Posted By Winchester Police on April 11th, 2019

Medication Take Back Day is Saturday April 27th from 9am-1pm at the gates just outside of the Winchester Transfer Station. This is a free event and open to all. Please feel free to clean out the medicine cabinets of any old, expired, unused medications (liquid or pill form). We are also accepting needles in Sharps containers or hard sided detergent bottles of milk/juice cartons.

If you can’t make it on April 27th, The Winchester Police Department has two kiosk in our front lobby which are available 24/7 for unwanted medicine and needles.

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Massage Therapist Sentenced for Indecent Assaults

Posted By Winchester Police on February 7th, 2019

WINCHESTER – District Attorney Marian Ryan and Winchester Chief of Police Peter MacDonnell have announced that Alexander Osher, 50, of Lynn, was sentenced today in connection with sexually assaulting four women while working as a licensed masseuse at the Winchester Wellness Center. Osher was found guilty by a Middlesex Superior Court Jury of rape, assault with intent to rape and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over the age of 14 on February 4.

Judge Michael Ricciuti sentenced the defendant to five to seven years in State Prison on the rape charge, two to four years from and after on the charge of assault with intent to rape and one year to one year and a day from and after on each count of indecent assault and battery on a person over the age of 14.

From December 15, 2016 to January 16, 2017, the Winchester Police Department received several separate complaints from women stating that during their visit to the Winchester Wellness Center, where the defendant worked as a licensed masseuse, they had been inappropriately touched during their massages. Following the investigation, Winchester Police arrested the defendant on January 18, 2017.

The prosecutor assigned to this case was Assistant District Attorney Courtney Linnehan. The Victim Witness Advocate was Danielle DeMeo.

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Retirement Gathering for Animal Control Officer, Jerry Smith

Posted By Winchester Police on January 4th, 2019

We would like to extend an invitation to all members of the public who would like to join us in celebrating the career of Jerry Smith, our long time Animal Control Officer as he prepares for retirement. On Tuesday, January 8, 2019 between from 12:00 – 2:00 PM, join us in the Winchester Police Department Community Room to say goodbye and thank you to Jerry for years of service in assisting with the needs of the town’s animals, both wild and domestic!

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Medication Take Back Program & Hazardous Waste Disposal

Posted By Winchester Police on November 8th, 2018

The Winchester Police Department would like to remind all residents that the Medication Take Back program sponsored by the Winchester Coalition for a Safer Community and the Winchester Police Department will take place on Saturday November 10th from 9am-1pm just outside the gates of the Transfer Station on McKay Avenue. Please turn in any unused, expired or unwanted medications or prescriptions from your homes on this date. Needles and sharps will also be collected at this time. Please bring sharps in either a Sharp’s container or any sealable hard sided plastic container.

Also, the Board of Health and DPW will be sponsoring a Hazardous Waste Collection at the DPW Yard located at 15 Lake St. from 9-12pm.

There is no charge for either event.

Please visit www.winchester.us for more information.

Any further questions, please contact Sgt. Perenick

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Winchester Police Arrest Shaun Tyman of Lowell for Stalking

Posted By Winchester Police on July 17th, 2018

On Tuesday, July 17, 2018, Winchester Police and Lowell Police conducted a search warrant at the home of Shaun Tyman, 81 Acton Street, Lowell, MA. The search was the result of a month long investigation into the alleged stalking of a Winchester woman and the attempted breaking and entering of her home. On June 19th, 2018 the Winchester Police received a complaint from a Winchester resident of an unknown person caught on video tape attempting to enter her home. That same video showed the same individual crawling underneath the victim’s car. After a search of the vehicle’s undercarriage a GPS tracking device was found attached to the frame. The GPS unit was analyzed, after which numerous subpoenas were issued and an alleged suspect was identified. A search warrant was conducted at the home of Shaun Tyman of Lowell. Evidence found during the subsequent execution of search warrant led to the arrest of Tyman. Tyman was taken to the police custody and charged with attempted breaking and entering and stalking. Tyman will be arraigned in Woburn District Court on July 18, 2018.

Shaun Tyman

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Assessment for Re-accreditation

Posted By Winchester Police on April 27th, 2018

The Winchester Police Department will undergo its triennial assessment for re-accreditation on Tuesday, June 19 through Thursday, June 21. The assessment is conducted by the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission and involves a tour of our operations and compliance with over three hundred mandatory and optional policy standards. If a member of the public has any questions regarding the accreditation process please contact Sgt. Edward Donohue, Det. Sgt Joseph Abdella or Ptl. Michael DeRosa.

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Winchester Police Department Joins Communities For Restorative Justice

Posted By Winchester Police on April 6th, 2018

Chief Peter MacDonnell is pleased to announce that the Winchester Police Department has become the 20th Middlesex County community to join Communities for Restorative Justice (C4RJ).

C4RJ is a community-police partnership that offers restorative justice to those affected by crime using a “circle” model, which recognizes that crime is as much a violation of people and relationships as it is a violation of the law.

“Joining C4RJ allows our department to participate in an innovative approach to policing,” Chief MacDonnell said. “This model has a strong track record of success in our neighboring communities, and I’m confident that bringing it to Winchester will provide residents with meaningful and lasting resolutions when they are impacted by certain types of crime.”

Through C4RJ, partner communities are able to augment the traditional criminal justice process by providing victims of crime an opportunity to address the person who harmed them and share ideas of how the damage can be repaired. Additionally, the process enables offenders to better understand the impact of their actions and be held accountable for making amends.

The Winchester Police Department will work with C4RJ to enable offenders to take responsibility for their actions while empowering victims to address how they were affected by crime.

“I am extremely excited to welcome Winchester to our program,” C4RJ Executive Director Erin Freeborn said. “The Winchester Police Department and Chief MacDonnell have a strong appreciation of the role that restorative justice can play in making things right for individuals and communities impacted by crime.”

Thursday, April 5, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

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#GOTDRUGS?

Posted By Winchester Police on April 1st, 2018

The Annual Medication & Sharps Safe Disposal Day* is Saturday, April 28, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The program will be held in a tent, outside Transfer Station gate at, 15 McKay Avenue, Winchester.

You Don’t Want Them, But Someone Else May …
Dispose Of Them Safely On This Day!
Sponsored by The Winchester Coalition for a Safer Community, in
partnership with the Winchester Police Department and the U.S. Drug
Enforcement Administration

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