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DA Sutter, Bristol County Leaders To Support Dangerous Bill

July 27, 2009 - District Attorney Sam Sutter and a host of other community leaders from throughout Bristol County and the state will be testifying before the Joint Judiciary Committee Monday afternoon in support of a bill filed by Sen. Mark Montigny which aims to allow district attorneys throughout the state to request dangerousness hearings for those charged with illegal gun crimes.

The testimony is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. in the Gardner Auditorium at the Massachusetts State House.

The legislation, Senate Bill No. 1748, was filed by Sen. Montigny shortly after the Supreme Judicial Court ruled on May 4, 2009 that District Attorney Sutter's use of the dangerousness statute to attempt to hold those defendants charged with illegal gun crimes without bail for 90 days was not what the Legislature intended.

Sen. Montigny's legislation would simply put back into the dangerousness statute what the SJC took out.

In order to send out a clear and resounding message, District Attorney Sutter instructed his prosecutors, from the day he started as the new District Attorney in January 2007, to ask for these dangerousness hearings every single time someone was arrested and charged with a gun felony.  Combining this with other aggressive new policies, such as rapidly prosecuting those held after a finding of dangerousness within the 90 days allowed by the statute, District Attorney Sutter set about trying to change the landscape concerning gun violence in Bristol County.

Bristol County DA Sam Sutter

After 28 months of implementing these policies and working closely with our county's police chiefs and mayors, the results were eye opening. New Bedford experienced a 33 % decline in reports of shots fired during this time period and went for a five month stretch from November of 2008 until April of 2009 without a single shooting.  Fall River saw a 34% decline in reports of shots fired and Taunton a 29% decline.

But in its May 4th ruling, the SJC said carrying an illegal firearm is "passive and victimless."  The court said there is no substantial risk of harm to another in the illegal possession, but the substantial risk is in the use.

District Attorney Sutter and many others who believe those who carry illegal firearms are a danger to the public's safety have two main criticisms of the Court's decision:  one logical and one empirical.  First, logically, by the time a firearm is being used to commit a crime, the risk is over and the harm has begun.  And, second, empirically, over 95% of the shootings in Bristol County over the past two and a half years have been committed by illegal firearms.

Since the SJC's decision on May 4th, gun violence in Bristol County has sadly begun to climb.  In New Bedford, over the past eight weeks, three people have been killed by firearms and eight others have been shot and wounded.  Fall River has also seen four recent shootings and Taunton has been home to several reports of shots fired.

"The possibility of a connection between the change in my approach necessitated by the SJC's decision and the rise in gun violence is inescapable.  The fear criminals had of immediate and lasting incarceration for carrying an illegal gun has been greatly eroded," District Attorney Sutter said. "That is why our legislature must act now to put back in the dangerousness statute those three gun felonies which the SJC said are not presently covered. The Legislature has shown it can act quickly when the need is urgent.  Last year in Massachusetts, 105 people were killed by gun violence. What could be more urgent than that?"

Mansfield Father Charged with Murder of 6-Year-Old Daughter

Her father, Kristopher Griffin, 35, of 93 Chilson Ave. and 85 Weir St., Mansfield, was arrested by state and local police shortly after the incident. He is charged with murder.

Mr. Grffin will be arraigned today in Taunton District Court.

Facts of the case will be detailed during today's arraignment.

Visit MansfieldWeb.com for updates to this story.

FACES OF REMEMBRANCE: Taunton Exhibit Honors Fallen Soldiers

First EEE Positive Mosquito Sample Identified in Massachusetts
Health officials remind residents to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites

July 22, 2009 - Boston, MA — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced that Eastern Equine Encephalitis has been detected in a mosquito sample in Massachusetts for the first time this year. The mosquito sample was collected on July 16, in the town of Freetown, located in Bristol County.

There have been no human cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) or Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) identified so far this year.

In 2008, there was one human case of EEE; however there were 13 cases with 6 deaths from 2004 through 2006. EEE is usually spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. EEE is a serious disease for all ages and can even cause death.

"This is the first reminder that EEE is circulating in our environment" said DPH State Epidemiologist, Dr. Al DeMaria "Southeastern Massachusetts has historically borne the brunt of EEE."

People have an important role to play in protecting themselves and their loved ones from illnesses caused by mosquitoes.

Avoid Mosquito Bites

• Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning.

• Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

• Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535 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% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

• Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.

• Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

More information is available on the DPH website: www.mass.gov/dph/wnv. Information about West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis is also available by calling the DPH recorded information line at 1-866-MASS-WNV (1-866-627-7968), or the Epidemiology Program at 617-983-6800.

Modern Auto Body, Brockton - 
Owned & Operated by Norton Resident

July 22, 2009 - Modern Auto Body in Brockton is owned and operated by Fran Fistori of Norton. Mr. Fistori lives in Norton with his wife and three children. He is active in the community and helps to coach Little League and football in the town.

Modern Auto Body
561 N. Montello Street
Brockton, MA 02301
508-580-6422
www.modernautobodycollision.com

Mr. Fistori began his business in 1983 in a small rented garage. After two years he purchased the property at 561 N. Montello Street and began construction on the current facility. Modern Auto Body employees 15 full-time employees and is now in the midst of another expansion. All employees are ASE Certified and I-CAR trained. The shop utilizes the latest equipment. Modern Auto body takes all the worries away from your auto accident down to the smallest details like making sure the paint color is a 100% match.

Fran and his staff will help walk you through your claims process from beginning to end. The shop will come and pick your vehicle up if necessary and will return your vehicle detailed inside and out.

Three Arrested in Pellet Gun Shooting
Norton PD Finds Pellet Gun, Drugs

July 9, 2009 - Norton, MA - On July 7 at 7:44pm, Norton Police were dispatched to Juniper Road for a report of a male subject shot with a pellet gun. Upon arrival, Patrolman Bryan King obtained information from the victim and a witness, both 15 year old males from Norton. The subjects described a vehicle containing male youths and stated that the vehicle drove past them slowly while one of the youths shot at them with what they believed to be a pellet gun. One of the 15 year old males was struck in the lower back with the pellet. The victim then called police.

A short time later, Patrolman James Franco located the vehicle traveling on Woodland Street. Patrolman Franco stopped the vehicle, spoke with the passengers and searched the vehicle with the assistance of Patrolman Rachel Samuelson and Sgt. Robert Whitfield. During the search, a pellet gun was confiscated and a large amount of marijuana with drug paraphernalia.

The operator of the vehicle, Stephen C. Bannon, 19, of Reservoir Street, Norton, was placed under arrest and charged with Possession of a Class D Substance - Marijuana with Intent to Distribute. Bannon was held at the Norton Police Station on $1000 cash bail.

A passenger, Stephen C. Doyle, 19, of North Lakeview Road, Norton, was placed under arrest and charged with Possession of a Class D Substance - Marijuana with Intent to Distribute. Doyle was held at the Norton Police Station on $1000 cash bail.

The third passenger, Stephen M. Ceckowski, 18, of Lagoon Lane, Norton, was placed under arrest and charged with Assault and Battery By Means of a Dangerous Weapon, and  Possession of a Class D Substance - Marijuana with Intent to Distribute. Ceckowski was held at the Norton Police Station on $5000 cash bail.

The 15 year old victim did not request medical attention.

Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce Shows Support to Local Business

Kara Griffin the Executive Director of the Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce was on hand with 40 guests, who showed support for the all business at the Shops at Chestnut Green and Babels.

Pictured left to right: Marilyn Lewis of North Easton Savings Bank, Ed Tartufo of Jack Conway Realty, Neenah Mehta of the Learning Experience of Foxborough, Cameron MacNeil of Immediacom, Lisa Jessick of Dream Dinners, Jeanne & Vic Babel, owners of Babels Paint & Decorating Store, Ann Foley Collins of Glee Gifts, Ingrid Williams of Sharon Credit Union, Feliz Betro of Betro & Company. Photo by: Kara Griffin, Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce

Senator James Timilty, State Representative Jay Barrows present Vic and Jeanne Babel certificates for their business at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce.
Photo by: Kara Griffin, Executive Director of the Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce

Explosives Found in Vehicle, Home

July 7, 2009 - Norton, MA - On July 6 at 6:49pm, Norton Police Patrolman James Cameron stopped a vehicle in the area of 194 South Worcester Street based on information that the vehicle contained explosives. The operator, Jason M. Driscoll, 37, of 249 South Worcester Street Apt 3, Norton, confirmed to the officer that explosives were in the vehicle.  Driscoll was then placed under arrest.

Norton Police Detectives, the State Police Bomb Squad, the Norton Fire Department, and the State Fire Marshall's Office were notified and responded to the scene. That area of South Worcester Street was closed for approximately four hours. CSX was notified to stop all train traffic due to the tracks in close proximity to the incident. Four residences in the immediate area were evacuated.

The State Police Bomb Squad used a robot to remove the device from the vehicle and disrupted the device at 9:24pm. The device was described as appearing to be homemade. The regional Hazardous Materials Team was notified and responded to the scene. Driscoll's residence was then searched. Chemicals and explosive making materials were removed, tested by the Hazmat Team, and confiscated.

No one was injured in the incident.

The Norton Police Department has recently received several reports of explosions in this area. The area has also seen incidents of mailboxes being exploded, with one incident sending metal shrapnel into a residence and breaking windows.

Driscoll was transported to the Norton Police Department and later to the Bristol County House of Correction where he is being held on $5,000 cash bail.  Driscoll will be arraigned today in Taunton District Court.

Driscoll was charged with Possession of an Infernal Device.

Poirier: Governor Patrick Sticking It to Greater Attleboro Area

July 7, 2009 - Boston, MA - Assistant Minority Whip Elizabeth Poirier issued the following statement in response to the pending closure of the RMV in North Attleboro:

I am disappointed and angry to hear that the Patrick Administration is planning to close the Registry of Motor Vehicles branch in North Attleboro. Thousands of people depend on the services of that branch and because of the incompetency of Governor Patrick and his administration the members of my district are going to suffer. For weeks, taxpayers have been told if they are willing to pay a little more sales tax, essential services would be spared during budget cuts. They were clearly lied to. Not only is the sales tax about to increase a dramatic 25%, but other fees and taxes are about to get raised as well.

This closing is going to be a terrible inconvenience for several communities across the Greater Attleboro Area as motorists will be forced to drive to Taunton or even as far as Brockton. Governor Patrick may have the time and resources to take a day off to go to the RMV, but my hard working constituents do not have that luxury. 

I am encouraging area residents to send me letters, emails or faxes expressing the inconvenience or hardship that this closure will be on them. Once I receive all of the correspondence, I will be presenting them to the Governor and the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.

Two Arrested, No Barrel of Laughs

July 6, 2009 - Norton, MA - Over the past few weeks the Norton Police Department has taken numerous reports of stolen trash barrels left in the roadways throughout town. These incidents have littered the streets with trash and caused road hazards.

One of these incidents, on June 29, resulted in a bicyclist being transported to an area hospital after he collided with a barrel discarded on Eddy Street.

On July 3, while on routine patrol, Patrolman David Schepis observed a vehicle pulling a trash barrel down Reservoir Street in the area of Cobb Street. The front seat passenger discarded the barrel into the southbound travel lane of Reservoir Street as they passed the cruiser.   

The operator, George Gillis, 18, of Norton, and the passenger John Pucci, 18, of Attleboro were subsequently arrested in the incident. Both men are charged with disorderly conduct.

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