State Police Spread Awareness on Use of Headphones While Driving

The use of such electronic devices can be hazardous while operating a vehicle, State Police said this week.

Editor's Note: The following message was submitted to Patch by the Massachusetts State Police. The Massachusetts State Police, in conjunction with the Department of Transportation, have begun a public awareness message on the use of personal headphones, or “ear buds,” while driving a motor vehicle. The constant need for instant communication has helped pioneer a host of advanced cell phone technology and has become an integral part of our lives. Unfortunately, this has added to the many distractions that hinder safe operation of motor vehicles. Hands-free technology, including personal headphones, have helped eliminate the constant need to hold a cell phone while driving. But some operators have begun to use their headsets to listen to …

•  5 Comments
• Photos (1)

State Troopers Recognized for Helping in NY, NJ After Hurricane Sandy

"There's nothing that I can compare to what I saw down there," said one of the 25 troopers that helped out after Sandy devastated nearby states.

Before Hurricane Sandy's full scope of devastation in New York and New Jersey was even known, 25 men and women from the Massachusetts State Police were on their way to assist those who had been displaced from their homes. "When I reached out to ask if the state police would be willing to field a group of 25 people, I already knew the answer," Undersecretary for Homeland Security and Director of MEMA, Kurt Schwartz said in a press conference in Framingham Monday afternoon. "The answer was a resounding yes." One of the troopers was Brian Dunn, who works out of the South Boston barracks. "There's nothing that I can compare to what I saw down there," said the 28-year veteran of the force. "We were there when they came home for the first time. …

• Photos (5)

Traffic Enforcement Ramps Up During Holiday Season

Troopers from all over New England want to help local drivers stay safe and prevent crashes during the holiday season.

The holidays are upon us, and many residents will be traveling this week to see family and friends all across New England. State Police are doing their part to help ensure these visits don't end in tragedy because of impaired or distracted driving. The Massachusetts State Police joined forces with other New England State Police divisions at headquarters in Framingham to explain their C.A.R.E program. Increased patrols this week will be cracking down on impaired/drunk driving, texting while driving and seatbelt law violations, among other things. "We aren't trying to discourage people from going out and enjoying themselves," Massachusetts State Police Col. Timothy P. Alben said. "We just want to make sure they are being safe and responsible…

• Photos (5)

Mass. State Troopers in New Jersey to Help Keep Peace in Wake of Hurricane Sandy Devastation

Preventing people from looting their neighbors' homes is part of the troopers' work in New Jersey.

  New Jersey called; Massachusetts answered. The state of New Jersey asked for help with devastation in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, requesting that nearby states send law enforcement officers to help keep peace and order in the hardest-hit areas of New Jersey. On Saturday, a detachment of 25 troopers from the Massachusetts State Police was selected and sent, reporting to Fort Dix to be sworn in as police officers.  The Massachusetts State Police officers are working with Louisiana State Police and New Jersey State Police in areas including Brick, Ocean Park, Seaside Heights and Palisades Park. Many of the MSP troopers are experienced with storm-related issues, especially after the destructive storms Massachusetts has experienced over the …

• Photos (2)

A Missing Connecticut Woman Has Been Found in Acton

State Police found Connecticut resident Robin Sack after her car had been abandoned on Route 2 in Acton this morning.

Westford Man With Alleged Large Stash of Drugs Runs From Trooper in Worcester

The following information was provided by the Massachusetts State Police.

  At approximately 5:50 p.m. on Thursday night, one Westford resident found himself under arrest in Worcester after a minor moving violation uncovered approximately 207 grams of methamphetamine and cocaine and 2.5 pounds of marijuana. Robert Serafini, 24 made an illegal U-turn onto Lincoln Street, catching the eye of Massachusetts State Trooper Cristina Lucin-Maietta. When asked, Serafini could not provide his driver's license, leading to a string of events that terminated in his flight from the scene. Maietta and several other state troopers and officers from the Worcester Police Department eventually tracked down Serafini, with State Police dogs discovering the drugs hidden in his car. Serafini has been charged with alleged possession …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

AMBER ALERT: MA State Police Looking for Westfield Woman Who Took 3-Month-Old Daughter

The suspect was driving a gray 2004 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck with Massachusetts license.

[UPDATE, Wednesday, 1:39 p.m.] Massachusetts State Police will do a short briefing on this investigation at 3 p.m. at State Police General Headquarters, 470 Worcester Rd. (Route 9 east), Framingham. The availability will be held in front of the General Headquarters building.  [UPDATE, Wednesday 1:16 p.m.] State police are investigating credible information that the suspect headed south from New England along the Eastern Seaboard to the Mid-Atlantic Region. They are working to narrow the geographic area.  ---- Massachusetts State Police issued an AMBER Alert on Wednesday, Oct. 31 at around 10:18 a.m. The alert reads as follows: The Massachusetts State Police have just received a request for an AMBER Alert from the Westfield Police …

• Photos (7)

Westford Man Pronounced Dead After Crash in Methuen

Kurt Kelly, 32, of Westford has just been announced as the man pronounced dead on the scene of a 495 crash earlier today according to Massachusetts State Police.

  Massachusetts State Police have released the name of Westford resident Kurt Kelly, who was pronounced dead at approximately 3:30 p.m. today immediately following a multi-car accident on 495 Southbound in Methuen. The crash occurred near the ramp to Route 213 westbound. Preliminary reports indicate that Jeffrey Plante, 35, of Newburyport, was operating a 2005 Toyota Corolla northbound on 495 when, for reasons yet unknown, his car left the road and collided head on with the 32-year-old Westford resident. Plante also sustained life threatening injuries. There has been speculation of a tractor trailor being involved in the crash, but the operator of that vehicle stopped to provide eye witness information. Two other vehicles were damaged in …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Truck Accident Closes Two Lanes of 495 North Near Exit 32

State Police indicate that the accident was cleared up quickly on Friday morning and required Hazmat teams to clean up a diesel spill.

  Two lanes of I-495 North near Exit 32 were closed off on Friday morning following a tractor trailer incident at approximately 5:45 a.m. Massachusetts State Police officials indicate that Westford Fire Department Hazmat teams were on the scene about three minutes later and that Massachusetts Department of Transportation vehicles assisted in cleaning up a diesel spill from the truck approximately 7:15 a.m. By 7:56 a.m., all lanes were re-opened to traffic and all first responder vehicles had left the scene. Westford Patch will attempt to obtain and confirm more information on this story.

• Photos (1)

State Police Asking for Help in 495 Road Rage Shooting

Massachusetts State Police believe there may be more witnesses to a crime that occurred on Sunday in Merrimac.

  Massachusetts State Police are asking help from any motorists on I-495 Northbound near Merrimac earlier today following a case where a 16-year-old female was shot in the arm during an apparent road rage accident. The victim, an unidentified Maine resident, was shot at by what is being described as a light skinned African-American or Hispanic man wearing a gray t-shirt and sunglasses who was a passenger in a white Honda Accord.  She was shot at 12:17 p.m. on Sunday and was rushed to Anna Jacques Hospital in Newburyport. Any Westford residents who might have been in the area and can identified the shooter are urged to call the Massachusetts State Police barracks in Newbury at 978-462-7478

• Photos (1)