REWARD for Information (11/30/06)
The Monson Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in providing information regarding the death of a sheltie dog that occurred on November 25, 2006 in the area of Palmer Rd. in Monson. A veterinarian has established that the likely cause of death to be the result of a beating.
Anyone who may have information about this incident is asked to call the Monson Police Department at 413/267-5136.
Donors from the community have established a reward in the amount of $500 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible.
Donation from Canon USA and NCMEC (11/22/06)
The Monson Police Department is the proud recipient of a Digital Elph camera, Elura camcorder, IP4000 printer and Canoscan scanner that was recently donated by Canon U.S.A., Inc. and distributed to selected law enforcement agencies through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. recognizes the importance of law enforcement agencies having the necessary equipment and technology available to conduct effective investigations concerning missing and abducted children. Canon U.S.A., Inc., in partnership with NCMEC, provided this equipment to assist in bringing missing and abducted children safely back to their parents and guardians.
The Monson Police Department wishes to thank Canon, U.S.A., Inc. and the National Center for Missing Children for this donation as well as their commitment to the safe return of missing and exploited children.
Pedestrian Safety (10/24/06)
In light of recent complaints regarding crosswalk violations in the downtown area, the Monson Police Department wants to call attention to this potentially dangerous issue.
Motorists can oftentimes become distracted by cell phone usage, consuming food or drinks or a variety of other factors and simply not see a pedestrian in a crosswalk. Others may simply be unaware of pedestrian safety laws or have forgotten how they are supposed to respond to a pedestrian using a crosswalk.
Under Massachusetts law, motorists are required to stop and yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk when the pedestrian is on that half of the traveled part of the way on which the vehicle is traveling or if the pedestrian approaches from the opposite half of the traveled part of the way to within 10 feet of that half of the traveled part of the way on which the vehicle is traveling.
Additionally, no driver of a vehicle shall pass any other vehicle that has stopped at a marked crosswalk to permit a pedestrian to cross, nor shall any such operator enter a marked crosswalk while a pedestrian is crossing or until there is a sufficient space beyond the crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle he or she is operating.
Violations of the pedestrian crossing law could result in a fine of up to $200.
The upcoming change from daylight savings time is going to result in reduced visibility at a time when vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the Main Street area is at its peak. Motorists are being asked to exercise additional care and be aware of the various pedestrian crossings when traveling through the downtown. As the increasingly cold weather approaches, motorists are also being reminded to clear all of their vehicle’s windows of snow and ice as a means to increase visibility.
The Monson Police Department plans to continue its monitoring of the crosswalks in the downtown area and when necessary, issue traffic citations to anyone observed in violation of the applicable pedestrian and traffic safety laws.
Counterfeiting Case (10/12/06)
On October, 12, 2006, the Monson Police Department executed a search warrant on the GMC Yukon Denali that was being used by Godwin Gould and Mousa Alminawi at the time of their counterfeiting arrest on October 7, 2006.
During thiss search, officers recovered an additional $5,200 in counterfeit currency, a loaded stolen handgun, 73 assorted credit cards and gift cards as well as approximately $2,700 in genuine currency. Each of these items were recovered from a hidden compartment inside the vehicle. Officers also recovered additional items from the vehicle that will be used as evidence of their ongoing criminal activity.
At this point in the investigation, Gould and Alminawi will be facing additional charges that include possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm without a permit and receiving stolen property. This investigation is ongoing and additional charges are likely.
The Monson Police Department was assisted in this search by the Palmer Police Department, agents from the United States Secret Service, a specialist from the Massachusetts State Police and a K9 from the Southwick Police Department.
Anyone in the community encountering money that is thought to be suspicious should contact the Monson Police Department at 413/267-5136.
Teddy Bear Donation (9/8/06)
The Monson Police Department would like to thank the Pioneer Valley Life Member Club of the Telephone Pioneers for their gracious donation of a supply of hand made teddy bears.
Officers will distribute these bears to children involved in a traumatic event or who were the victim of a crime.
Thanks again to the Pioneer Life Member Club for their community involvement activities.
A Child is Missing Partnership (8/25/2006)
The Monson Police Department is pleased to announce its partnership with A Child Is Missing, an organization devoted to assisting law enforcement in search and early recovery efforts during the initial hours of a child, disabled or elderly person’s disappearance.
When a child, disabled or elderly person has been reported missing, the Monson Police Department will contact A Child is Missing to provide them with pertinent information about the individual such as their description, clothing worn and the time and location that they were last seen. Upon receipt of this call, A Child is Missing will use computer mapping technology and a satellite imagery program to help visualize “hot spots” that may harbor the missing child or attract the wandering disabled or elderly individual.
Next, A Child is Missing records a message containing the description of the missing person and generates up to 1,000 telephone calls in a 60 second period to alert homes and businesses in the area where the person was last seen. The alert message asks residents to check their property for the missing person and to call the Monson Police Department if they have any information about the missing person.
Statistics have shown that taking action during the first hours of a person’s disappearance is critical in helping to save their life. The Monson Police Department hopes that this partnership will increase our chances for a successful recovery.
DXM Abuse (8/24/2006)
In recent weeks, the Monson Police Department has located a number of empty cough medicine bottles littering the downtown area leading us to suspect a surge in DXM abuse.
DXM, or Dextromethorphan, is a substance found in a number of over-the-counter cough and cold products. The police department has already met with local retailers to ask for their cooperation in controlling sales of these products and to monitor their inventory for theft. We are now encouraging parents to speak to their children about the potential dangers of this product.
Canadian Lottery Scam (7/29/2006)
The Commonwealth Fusion Center has received complaints from Massachusetts citizens who have recently been received telephone calls claiming that they have won the lottery in Canada. The caller states that this type of Canadian lottery is similar to the US Publisher’s Clearinghouse. This is also occurring in San
Antonio, Texas, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Connecticut.
This is how it works:
You receive a call from a person stating they are from IRS or DHS, Buffalo, New York office. Some of the callers say they are Officer Hunter or Peter Ford. The caller says that you must first pay the taxes on your winnings and that payment must be paid in cash via Western Union or by check. The telephone numbers have been traced to the Toronto, Canada area.
The IRS is currently investigating this scam. The IRS noted that they would
never call, but instead would send information via certified mail.
If you have received any of these types of calls or have any questions, please contact Kristin Wilczynski at the Commonwealth Fusion Center at 508-988-7231.
THIS IS A SCAM!
If you receive any calls from these individuals, just hang up the phone.
DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY
Restriction of Liability:
The Monson Police Department makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of this web site and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in the contents of this web site. No warranty of any kind, implied, expressed or statutory, including but not limited to the warranties of non-infringement of third party rights, title, merchantablility, fitness for a particular purpose and freedom from computer virus, is given with respect to the contents of this web site or its hyperlinks to other Internet resources. Reference in this web site to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement,
recommendation, or favoring by the Monson Police Department.
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