For Immediate Release

Friday, Oct. 20, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 978-841-9948
Email: [email protected]

Ashby Police Offer Halloween Safety Tips

ASHBY — With Halloween just over a week away, Chief Fred Alden and the Ashby Police Department are reminding families of several important safety tips as they prepare to take their children trick-or-treating this year.

“We want all of our residents to enjoy Halloween this year,” Chief Alden said, “We strongly advise that everyone review these safety tips and make note of parking restrictions in town on Halloween night.” 

Oct. 31 falls on a Tuesday this year and Ashby Police will work to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents. Trick-or-treating hours in Ashby are 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday.

Ashby Police ask that people coming to the center of town avoid parking on the street, and remind residents that parking is prohibited on Main Street from the elementary school to County Road.

Children should:

• Only approach well-lit houses and always travel in small groups
• Bring treats home before eating them so parents can inspect them
• Wear clothing that is bright, reflective and flame retardant
• Use flashlights for guidance on sidewalks, walkways and when crossing the street
• Make sure masks have eye-holes large enough to see any tripping hazards or oncoming traffic, and mouth openings large enough to breathe easily
• Practice safe street-crossing by using crosswalks and walk signals
• Walk and don’t run from house to house
• Wear sturdy shoes and temperature appropriate clothing under costumes
• Never accept rides from strangers

Parents and guardians should:

• Supervise their children
• Establish a designated curfew for older children
• Make sure children are wearing safe costumes that fit well and don’t drag on the ground
• Apply reflective tape to your child’s arms, legs and treat bags
• Assure costume accessories such as swords and other pointed objects are made with soft and safe materials
• If driving children between houses and neighborhoods, have them get out of cars on the curbside, not on the traffic side.

Homeowners should:

• Keep inside and outside lights on during trick-or-treat hours
• Avoid placing lit candles and jack-o-lanterns on doorsteps and walkways where costumes could brush against them and cause burns or fire
• Only hand out candy that is packaged and wrapped
• Avoid handing out small toys that could cause choking or lead poisoning for small children

Additionally, any suspicious person or vehicle should immediately be reported to the Ashby Police at 978-386-5652 or by dialing 911.

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For Immediate Release

Friday, Sept. 29, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 978-841-9948
Email: [email protected]

Ashby Police to Host Coffee with a Cop Event

ASHBY — Chief Fred Alden is pleased to announce that the Ashby Police Department will be hosting a Coffee with a Cop event next week.

WHEN:

Wednesday, Oct. 4 from 9-11 a.m.

WHERE:

873 Café, 873 Main St., Ashby

WHAT:

Chief Alden and members of the Ashby Police Department will be present for open general discussion with residents at their Coffee with a Cop event next week.

Coffee with a Cop is an initiative implemented throughout cities and towns nationwide, that is designed to provide a welcoming environment for residents to get to know their police officers face-to-face and talk about what’s going on in their community.

“Our department always looks forward to these type of relaxed events where we can interact with the public and hear about the issues that matter to them personally,” Chief Alden said. “We hope that residents will take the opportunity to stop by and enjoy some good coffee and conversation.”

Coffee will be provided free of charge.

About Coffee with a Cop:

Coffee with a Cop began in Hawthorne, Calif. in 2011 as a result of police officers brainstorming ways to better interact with their community. They developed a simple plan to break down the barriers that have been built between police officers and citizens — have a cup of coffee, discuss what’s on your mind, ask questions and make suggestions that could better the community.

Since its creation, Coffee with a Cop events have been held in more than 2,000 communities in 49 states. It is regarded as one of the most successful community oriented policing programs in the United States.

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For Immediate Release

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 978-841-9948
Email: [email protected]

Ashby Police Respond to Serious Two-Car Crash

ASHBY — Chief Fred Alden reports that the Ashby Police Department responded to a two-car crash this morning that seriously injured one man.

On Saturday, April 22 at approximately 9:06 a.m., Ashby Police responded to the intersection of Greenville Road (Route 31) and Turnpike Road for a report of a crash involving two vehicles.

Upon arrival, police observed that a Toyota Camry traveling westbound had apparently failed to stop for a posted stop sign on Turnpike Road, and was struck by a GMC Acadia that was traveling southbound on Greenville Road.

The Toyota Camry, which flipped onto its roof, had two people inside. The passenger, an 18-year-old man from Methuen, was extricated from the vehicle by the Ashby Fire Department using the Jaws of Life and transported to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester with serious injuries. The driver, a 17-year-old boy from Lawrence, was transported to a local hospital with injuries that are believed to be non-life threatening.

The GMC Acadia also had two people inside, a 30-year-old woman and a 5-year-old child, both of New Ipswich, N.H., who were transported to local hospitals with injuries that are believed to be non-life threatening.

Townsend Police also responded to the scene to assist. An ambulance from Ashby, Townsend, and two ambulances from Fitchburg provided transport for the four occupants.

The crash is under investigation by Ashby Police, with the assistance of the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section.

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