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Learn Safety and Self-defense Skills after-school at V-O

Calling all Winchester 4th and 5th graders!

Sign up for this Winchester Police Department-led course on how to
“Resist Aggression Defensively (rad)”
Taught by Winchester Police Department Officer Dan Arria, this course emphasizes essential
decision-making skills as well as physical resistance options. The family-centered radKIDS®
program encourages physical fitness and teaches realistic physical skills and core safety
values to live by. The fun, activity-based program includes lectures, safety drills, and physical
skills to resist or stop violence or harm, and dynamic simulation. Through radKIDS® training,
children become empowered and learn to replace the fear, confusion, and panic of dangerous
situations with confidence, personal safety skills, and self-esteem. The curriculum and
activities also emphasize character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.
Parents are invited to attend the last class and see their children demonstrate how much they
have learned.

Details:
● Open to all Winchester students in grades 4-5
● Meets from 2:45-4:15 pm for 7 classes
● Mondays and Thursdays (5/20, 5/23, 5/30, 6/3, 6/5, 6/10, 6/13)
● Vinson-Owen gym
● $50.00 program fee
● Register at www.winrec.com

The Mystic Valley Public Health Coalition and the Winchester Coalition for a Safer Community suggest making communication part of your plan when it comes to talking with your children about drugs and alcohol.

You may not be thinking about this now, but middle school is the perfect time to start talking to your kids about alcohol and other drugs.  Talk. They’re listening.

Prepare yourself. Prepare your kid. Pass it On.  Want suggestions how? – MysticValleyPublicHealth.org

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

The En Ka Fair takes place on May 18 and 19, senior prom is scheduled for May 30 and Town Day will be held on June 2.

“Each of these yearly events is exciting and attract many residents,” Chief MacDonnell said. “Our 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 Wednesday May 16 at 8am and going through Sunday morning May 20, Skilling Rd, both directions from the high school entrance to the Town Hall intersection shall be closed in order to accommodate the En Ka Fair. On Thursday, May 17 Mount Vernon St shall be closed in both directions from the rotary to the town hall intersection. 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 should keep in mind that during this time of year, risky behaviors among our middle and high school aged youth increase.

The senior prom is a memorable and exciting event for our high school seniors, but for parents, it can be a stressful night. Students should remember that poor decisions made before, during and after prom can have long-term negative consequences.

Chief MacDonnell recommends that 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, or using drugs.
Don’t text and drive. Texting and cell phone use while driving is illegal and a major cause of accidents.
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 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.

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.

Under the Social Host law, parents can be 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 underage drinking is illegal and can impair a person, especially a young person’s ability to make good decisions. 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 students that they can call them at any time for help, advice or a ride.

The Campaign for a Safe and Healthy Massachusetts has released a short video featuring Reisa Clardy, wife of MSP Trooper Thomas Clardy who was killed March 16, 2016 on the Mass. Turnpike by an impaired driver.   The Winchester Police Department would like to share that video:

Reisa Clardy Video – Question 4

Campaign For a Safe and Healthy Massachusetts

Ransomware is a form of computer malware that targets both human and technical weaknesses in organizations and individual networks in an effort to deny the availability of data to the user.   Ransomware is often delivered to a victim’s computer through a phishing email.  The malicious email then takes control of the user’s computer and essentially locks it down, preventing the user from accessing critical and persoanl data.  When the lock down occurs, the person behind the attack demands payment before sending  the user the unlock code.   If the ransom is not paid, the data will be unrecoverable.  Ransonware has been a problem for corporations for years but has recently become more common to home users.  For more information on Ransomware and how to protect yourself, the FBI Cyber Division has released a flyer, which can be downloaded here.  FBI Ransomware Flyer.pdf

The Middlesex County Beekeepers Association would like the public to be aware of honey-bee swarms.   If you encounter a swarm on your property or in your neighborhood, they recommend you contact the association’s swarm coordinator, Alexandra Bartsch  at 781-630-1129 (cell or text) .

Before you contact the swarm coordinator please make sure you can answer the following questions:

1. Confirm that these are Honeybees! Please follow this link: What’s Buzzin’

2. Location (address, tree, or in a house/wall, how high up? Are ladders or other equipment needed?

3. How large is the swarm (melon, football, basketball)?

4. How long has it been there since it was noticed?

5. Contact information? The swarm coordinator will coordinate with an interested member who will need to contact you directly.

Exterminators will not kill honeybees and often refer homeowners to find a beekeeper. Conversely, beekeepers are not exterminators and will not remove other insects. Please make sure they are honey-bees and THANK YOU for your interest in helping this important pollinator.

Many communities have reported a scam involving paving contractors.  The scam as follows:

A man knocks on your door and says he has extra asphalt and is willing to pave your driveway at a discounted price.  His high pressure approach confuses and intimidates.  You are not getting a deal, you are being scammed.

If you agree, here is what likely happens.  Men and equipment suddenly appear and begin “working” on your driveway.  At some point, the conman claims a mistake was made and you owe thousands more than the original price.  He threatens that if you refuse to pay, the “work” will cease.  You may be escorted to the bank, to withdraw money.  When you realize the scam you try to cancel the check only to learn it was cashed within minutes of it being written.

Paving scams like this occur regularly in Massachusetts and increase during spring and summer.  The perpetrators target senior citizens and are well known to police across the country.  Criminal charges vary by state but are commonly filed.

Avoid victimization and consider the following suggestions:

• Beware of unsolicited offers to do paving work.  Do not let the solicitors inside your home.  Calmly but firmly tell the solicitors you are not interested and tell them to leave your property.  If they refuse your instructions call the police.
• Educate yourself and your family.  Search the internet for “paving scams.”
• Ask to see proof of the solicitors’ insurance. Conmen rarely have worker’s compensation insurance and if one of them is injured at your home, the claim could be made against your homeowner’s insurance.
• Call the police if they begin “working” without your consent for service.
• Be a good neighbor.  Paving scams target senior citizens.
• Call the police if you have questions, or if unfamiliar people or companies appear at your door or in your neighborhood.

This article is intended as a public service announcement.  It is a warning that joins numerous similar warnings that have appeared in newspapers, on television and been sent out by the AARP.  Your vigilance will help police in their effort to keep Massachusetts safe and secure.  When faced with one of these scammers remember, there is no such thing as extra asphalt.

Everett Men and Woman Arraigned on Guns and Drug Charges

In possession of gun stolen from evidence locker at Chelsea District Court

MALDEN – Two Everett men and an Everett woman have been arraigned on numerous gun and drug charges, including possession of a gun that was reported stolen from the Chelsea District Court evidence locker in November 2011, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan informed the public today.

Liban Ali, 21, Jeffrey Sanon, 30, and Malensky Oscar, 21, all of Everett, were arraigned in Malden District Court on charges of possession of a high capacity firearm (3 counts each), possession of a high capacity magazine (3 counts each), unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, trafficking in cocaine over 36 grams, conspiracy to violate the drug law, and receiving stolen property.

Following a 58A dangerousness hearing, Malden District Court Judge Lee Johnson held Ali and Sanon without bail and ordered Oscar held on $25,000 cash bail.  Oscar’s bail was subsequently reduced to $2,500 with the condition of house arrest if she is released.

The defendants’ next court date is June 5 for a pretrial hearing.

“We allege that these defendants were found to be in possession of several high capacity firearms and magazines, as well as a gun reported to have been stolen from the Chelsea District Court,” District Attorney Ryan said.  “The firepower and drugs that were discovered at that home created a potentially lethal combination and a real danger to nearby residents.  I applaud the teamwork and joint efforts of the Winchester and Everett police departments, whose search for a stolen computer led to an unanticipated and significant seizure of weapons that now no longer pose a threat to the community.”

According to authorities, Winchester Police, investigating the breaking and entering and theft of a laptop computer from a local business, obtained a search warrant for the defendants’ Everett residence.   Authorities allege that they were directed to the apartment when the antitheft device installed on the laptop indicated it was in use at that location.

When officers from the Winchester police department, accompanied by officers from Everett, arrived at the residence to conduct the search warrant, all 3 defendants were at home.  Officers allege they found more than 36 grams of cocaine and packaging materials.  They seized several high capacity firearms, one of which—a .40-caliber Glock pistol—was reported stolen from the evidence locker at Chelsea District Court in 2011, and a shotgun.  Additionally, they found several high capacity magazines, additional ammunition and the computer stolen from the Winchester business that was the initial subject of the search warrant.

These charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney David Rubin.

Contact: Stephanie Chelf Guyotte/MaryBeth Long 781-897-8325

Winchester Police, with assistance from Everett Police, arrested Emir Ikanovic of Everett and charged him with Breaking and Entering into a home on Surrey Road.  The arrest was aided by anonymous tips received by the public after the story was aired on WHDH 7 News.

Renovations to the police station began this week.  While police service will be uninterrupted, there is a phase of the project where the Records department will be temporarily relocated.  Starting around the second week of June, Records will be relocated to the trailer in the rear lot of the Public Safety Building.

There will be times during the renovation that there will be no public access to the building.  During those times, a sign will be posted at the front door with further information.  As usual, police can be reached as follows:

Emergency: 911

Report a crime: (781) 729 – 1212

Business: (781) 729-1214 / Fax: (781) 721-5613

Chief’s Office: (781) 729-5429

The Winchester Fire Department can be reached at (781) 729 – 1802