Chief James Sartell is pleased to announce that Townsend Police Department has been awarded a total of $34,033 in federal grant funds allocated by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Office of Grants and Research (OGR).

The Townsend Police Department received a $34,033 grant from the Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program, which will be used toward the purchase of body-worn cameras.

“We are honored to have been chosen to receive this funding to help support the purchase of body-worn cameras for our officers,” Chief Sartell said. “Body cameras are a great technology to better help us serve our community, and will strengthen community relations, build trust and legitimacy through transparency, and improve officer safety and wellness.”

The grant was part of $7.8 million in funding that the Baker-Polito Administration allocated yesterday to provide access to equipment and strengthen training, crime prevention and enforcement initiatives across the Commonwealth.

The JAG program provided $4.6 million to fund needs such as protective equipment and communications infrastructure. The funds are allocated to local agencies by the OGR.

The Townsend Police Department is among more than 160 law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth that were awarded grant funding.

Chief James Sartell is pleased to announce that two Townsend Police Officers were recently recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty after saving a man’s life last month.

At the Tuesday, Nov. 17 Board of Selectmen meeting, town officials recognized the lifesaving efforts of Townsend Police Officers Michael Marchand and Jeffrey Giles after discovering a 52-year-old was in cardiac arrest following a reported motor vehicle crash.

On Friday, Oct. 30 at approximately 7:30 p.m., Officers Giles and Marchand responded to the crash on Fitchburg Road (Route 13), quickly discovering the 52-year-old Leominster man was unresponsive. The two took quick action, administering CPR and utilizing an automated external defibrillator (AED) to care for the man until the Townsend Fire Department paramedics arrived. Based on these actions and the resulting care, the man survived the incident.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the officers and of the professionalism they displayed,” Chief Sartell said. “Their teamwork and quick action helped to save this man’s life, and we cannot thank them enough for what they did. Their dedication to the safety and wellbeing of all our community members is inspiring and this recognition is well-deserved.”

Along with letters of commendation, the two were given lifesaving awards by the Townsend Police Department at the Board of Selectmen meeting.

Chief James Sartell is pleased to announce that members of the Townsend Police Department will be participating in the No Shave November fundraiser next month to raise money in honor of the son of a local police officer who was diagnosed with a rare genetic mutation.

Over the course of the month, members of the Townsend Police Department will be given an exemption from the department’s grooming policy and be allowed to grow a beard as part of the fundraising effort. This year, officers will be raising money for the STXBP1 Encephalopathy Foundation, which helps to raise awareness and find a cure for the rare genetic mutation, on behalf of Pepperell Police Officer Justin Zink and his family.

Officer Zink’s newborn son, Reece, was diagnosed with the disorder, which often causes complications like seizures, developmental delays, ataxia, limited speech, difficulty walking, difficulty eating and more.

Donations can be made to the Townsend Police Department’s fundraiser by clicking here.

“We are proud to support Officer Zink and his family through our annual No Shave November program,” Chief Sartell said, “and are committed to raising money and awareness for such a worthy cause over the course of the month.”

Anyone who would like to donate to the Zink family can do so by visiting the GoFundMe page linked here.

As part of National Teen Driver Safety Week, Chief James Sartell and the Townsend Police Department wish to provide families with safety tips and tools to discuss the importance of safe driving with their young drivers.

National Teen Driver Safety Week, organized by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA), began on Sunday, Oct. 18 and will end on Saturday, Oct. 24. The national awareness campaign serves as a reminder for parents to talk with their teens about the important rules they need to follow to stay safe behind the wheel of a vehicle.

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teens 15 to 18 years old in the United States, according to the NHTSA. In 2018, there were 2,121 people killed in crashes involving a teen passenger vehicle driver (15-18 years old), of which 719 deaths were the teen driver. During that time, there were an estimated 88,000 teen drivers injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes, and an estimated 256,000 people injured in crashes involving a teen driver, accounting for almost 10% of all those injured that year.

“As young drivers continue to learn the rules of the road, it’s critical for parents and guardians to remind their teenagers about vital driver safety information,” Chief Sartell said. “We hope families will have these conversations during National Teen Driver Safety Week and throughout the year to help keep their young drivers safe.”

The Townsend Police Department wishes to share the following safety topics from the NHTSA for parents to discuss with their teen driver to help keep them safe:

• Driving under the influence of any impairing substance — including alcohol, illicit or prescription drugs, or over-the-counter medication — could have deadly consequences.
• Buckle up for every trip, every time, no matter what. This applies for anyone traveling in the front or back seat.
• Texting or using a phone while driving can cause teens to become distracted and is prohibited in Massachusetts. In February, An Act Requiring the Hands-Free Use of Mobile Telephones While Driving went into effect prohibiting drivers from using cellphones and other hand-held devices while operating a vehicle. Drivers who are under 18 are not allowed to use any electronic devices. All phone use while driving is illegal, including use in hands-free mode.
• Always drive within the speed limit. Road conditions can change in an instant and speed limits help to ensure drivers have enough time to react.
• Limit the number of passengers in the vehicle to help prevent young drivers from becoming distracted.

Families are encouraged to talk with their teen drivers regularly to help reinforce these reminders.

For more information about National Teen Driver Safety Week and to learn additional safe driving tips to share with your teens, click here.

Townsend Police Chief James Sartell and Pepperell Police Chief Dave Scott announce they will be participating in the 2020 Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk this weekend as part of a fundraising effort for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

The two will be participating in the Sunday, Oct. 4 event as members of Team Police Chiefs, which consists of over 100 police chiefs from across the state. The money raised from the event will be used to enhance the programs and initiatives that serve pediatric and adult patients and their families.

“Though this year’s event will look a little different due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are honored to raise money to help patients of all ages in their fight against cancer,” Chief Sartell said. “This horrible disease has impacted the lives of so many people, and we are proud to be able to support the Jimmy Fund and the life-saving work done at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.”

Though the walk has followed routes along the Boston Marathon course in the past, walkers will choose their own locations this year in order to comply with the state’s guidelines regarding group size. Chief Sartell and Chief Scott will complete a 5K walk along the Nashua River Rail Trail, along with Ayer Police Chief Bill Murray, Groton Police Chief Mike Luth and Lunenburg Police Chief Tom Gammel.

“We are honored to take part in this annual event and to raise money for such an important cause,” Chief Scott said. “In times of uncertainty, these programs are vital resources for families whose loved ones are receiving cancer treatment. Thank you for all who have supported our team, you’ve truly helped to make a difference in the lives of families in their fight against cancer.”

To help the team reach their fundraising goal, click here. As of Tuesday, Sept. 29, the team has raised over $44,000 to donate to the Dana-Farber Institute.

To learn more about the event, click here.

Chief James Sartell reports the Townsend Police Department is actively searching for a man who is believed to have burglarized a local pharmacy in Townsend last fall.

BRIAN DELEON, AGE 25 OF LEOMINSTER, has a warrant out for his arrest on charges of:

• Breaking and Entering into a Building in the Nighttime with Intent to Commit a Felony
• Larceny from a Building
• Larceny of Drugs
• Possession of Burglarious Instruments.

On Thursday, Nov. 19, 2019 at approximately 4:55 a.m., Townsend Police Officer responded to McNabb’s Pharmacy, 223 Main St., for a commercial burglar alarm. Upon arrival, officers found the pharmacy had been burglarized and prescription medication had been taken.

During the initial investigation, officers were able to collect evidence from the scene, including a finger and palm print. The Massachusetts State Police assisted Townsend Police with the initial investigation.

On Wednesday, July 29, the Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab contacted the Townsend Police Officer Jeffrey Giles, who is heading the investigation, to let him know that the finger and palm print came back as a match to DELEON. Further investigation revealed that DELEON drove a car similar to the one identified as possibly being involved in the burglary.

A warrant was granted for DELEON on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

He is currently at-large in the Leominster area. DELEON is described as a 6′ 1″ man in his mid-twenties with black hair, brown eyes and weighs approximately 180 pounds. He is believed to be driving a silver Toyota Corolla with Massachusetts plates.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact Townsend Police Officer Jeffrey Giles at 978-597-6214 ext.1522.

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

Chief James Sartell reports that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has elevated the Town’s risk for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) to low after the virus was found in mosquitoes collected from Townsend.

At this time, there have been no reported cases of EEE in Townsend.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, EEE is a rare but serious infection. EEE causes very few human cases each year, but can be fatal. The risk of infection is highest among individuals under the age of 15 and over the age of 50.

The Townsend Board of Health is working in close collaboration with DPH.

The Townsend Board of Health strongly urges members of the community to adhere to the following safety tips from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

• Limit outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours. Consider cancelling or rescheduling planned outdoor evening events and activities. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellent.
• Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites: Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks while outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
• Apply insect repellent if you do go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied directly to your skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

• Drain standing water: Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools and change water in bird baths frequently.
• Install or repair window and door screens: Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Information about EEE and reports of current and historical EEE virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website here.

Chief James Sartell announces that the Townsend Police Department will honor fallen officers from near and far during National Police Week this week.

National Police Week runs from May 10 to May 16 and is observed throughout the United States as a way to honor local, state and federal law enforcement officers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty.

Every year, between 25,000-40,000 law enforcement officers from around the world would normally gather in Washington, D.C. to pay their respects during a number of planned events.

Though this year’s events were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the Townsend Police Department will honor fallen officers throughout the week by wearing memorial badges and mourning bands.

On Tuesday, May 12, members of the department will also be laying a wreath at the monument at the Townsend Police station to honor fallen officers.

“During this week, we remember all the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives protecting the communities they serve,” Chief Sartell said. “We mourn the loss of these mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and friends, and remember their heroic efforts along with our fellow law enforcement agencies nationwide.”

The Townsend Police Department will join agencies nationwide for Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15 in flying its flags at half-staff to honor officers who have given their lives in service to their communities.

A total of 146 officers were killed in the line of duty in 2019. Seventy-two have been killed so far this year.  For more information about Police Week visit https://www.policeweek.org/