Public Safety Tips

The Dunstable Police Department wishes to remind All Terrain Vehicle (A.T.V.) operators to practice safe riding, and abide by Massachusetts Recreational Vehicles Laws as outlined in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter Ninety (B). Unregistered recreational vehicles (A.T.V. / trail motorcycles) should not be operated on public ways.

Operators are reminded to respect the property rights of others, and children under 14 require direct supervision by an adult as outlined in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90B Section 26. The Dunstable Police Department will continue to make a visible A.T.V. presence and encourages your continued cooperation.

In order that you might have an enjoyable and safe boating experience, the Police Department encourages all boaters to become familiar with the boating safety regulations as outlined below.

• Operating a boat under in the influence is strictly prohibited under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 B section 8 and carries strict penalties.
• An observer who has attained an age of at least twelve should be present when towing a person on water skis, surfboard or tube, etc.
• Motorboats as defined in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90B Section 5 should at a minimum carry applicable personal flotation devices (Life preservers), fire extinguishers, audible warning, anchor, signaling device.
• Boat equipment and lighting should be well maintained and checked before navigating.

Please remember to operate at a safe distance and at a reasonable speed. Boaters must consider that swimmers and water objects may appear smaller when traveling at higher speeds. Interested persons or novice boaters can now enroll in an on-line boater safety course recommended through the Massachusetts Environmental Police.

Parents may call the Dunstable Police Department to arrange an appointment for an officer to visit at the bus stop in order to discuss important child safety considerations. A child's innocent "horseplay" at the bus stop and sense of invincibility reminds us all of the need to continually reinforce child safety.

October delivered some heavy winds to the region. The Police Department received numerous reports of trees down; roads closed, and power outages. Helpful citizens may be tempted to move a fallen wire. Fallen wires should never be touched. Please report downed wires to the Electric Company and Police Department. Motorists are reminded not to drive under broken wires or leaning trees. The time you save is not worth your life!

While on patrol Halloween Night, Dunstable Police Officers distributed green safety glow sticks to this year's young "trick or treaters". It was a pleasure to know that the children enjoyed the glow sticks and that the children used the glow sticks to remain safe throughout the night.

Are you receiving annoying and harassing phone calls? Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 269 section 14A prohibits such calls. "Whoever telephones another person repeatedly for the sole purpose of harassing, annoying, or molesting such person or his family, whether or not conversation ensues, may be subject to criminal penalties.

Violations may be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than three months or both. Persons receiving annoying and harassing phone calls may call the Police Department, who will work in conjunction with the Telephone Company, to help identify and prosecute offenders.

As revised, M.G.L. Chapter 85, Section 11B(2)(iii) states in part: "any person 16 years of age or younger operating in line skates, a skateboard, a scooter or other manually-propelled vehicle or riding as a passenger on a public way, bicycle path, or on any other public right-of-way shall wear a helmet  that is (ANSI Z 90.4) American National Standards approved."

The following tips for hiring a home improvement contractor come from the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office:

• Check references, completed projects, the contractor's complaint history.
• Get a detailed written contract. Every contract over $1,000.00 must be in writing and signed by the contractor. The contract must include the total price, detailed description of the work to be done and the start and end dates.
• Always have the contractor take out all the needed permits.
• Never pay too much in advance. A contractor may not demand more that 1/3 down unless custom materials need to be ordered.
• Before making final payment, make certain that all work meets standards spelled out in contract and you have written warranties for materials and workmanship.
• You should have proof all subcontractors and supplies have been paid. The job site should be clean and clear of excess materials.
• Inspect and approve the work.

If you have a complaint, it is recommended that you first try to resolve with the contractor and document your conversation with a certified letter. Home owners should request return receipt and keep a copy of the letter and any response. The Attorney General's Office may also be contacted at (617) 727-2200 or Board of Buildings Regulations and Standards at (617) 727-3200 Ext. 4.

Please remember to affix your house number in a noticeable area; emergency personnel use these house numbers during an emergency. If your house number has been posted for a long time, it may be worn or damaged. Please always ensure that numbers are visible from the street.

Use caution when choosing a location to ice skate. Moving water such as rivers and streams will always pose the most danger, and should never be skated upon. The appearance of frozen bodies of water can be deceiving. Weather temperature and environmental conditions may affect the conditions of the ice. The Police Department cannot recommend skating on outdoor bodies of water; an indoor skating rink will still provide the most safety.

Ice rescue should always be conducted by trained rescue personnel. The rescue guidelines for a person who has fallen through the ice remain as: Throw, Reach, or Row. Trained rescuers may throw or use an object to pull the victim to safety, or emergency personnel might row a small boat to reach the victim. Improper rescue efforts could create additional victims.

One of America's fastest growing crimes is identity fraud. Victims of identity fraud describe a havoc wrecking process of required notifications and verifications in order to restore authentic credit rating. This crime is complicated by the fact that this opportunistic thief often operates outside of normal jurisdictional boundaries. The Department offers the following suggestions to minimize your risk:

• Don't carry your social security number with you. Secure it in a safe location.
• Don't allow your mail to remain in your inbox for long periods of time, allowing strangers access.
• Destroy unnecessary personal information containing social security numbers, name, and date of birth.
• Monitor your credit reports, bills, and bill cycles for unusual activity.
• Never give your social security number or personal information without knowing how it will be used or shared.
• Credit cards should not be loaned, and always guard personal information such as PIN numbers and credit information from public view.

If you are the victim of a identity theft immediately contact all creditors by telephone and in writing, notify your bank, and change PIN numbers. Enforcement jurisdiction may fall under the local police, local post office, or the Federal Trade Commission. The Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline may be contacted at 1-800-269-0271.

Non-ambulatory individuals that may be recovering from sickness while at home are asked to keep a readily accessible list of current medications and allergies. Individuals may consider placing a written list of medications and allergies in a visible medical vile that may be easily seen by emergency first responders treating an unconscious patient. This list is a valuable source of information to health care providers in the time of a medical emergency.

Although the police department may wish to share information, this can be a quandary that requires the police to balance the interests of the public with legal procedures. Specific legal procedures often guide what police can and cannot publicly state. As an example, police cannot respond to "baited" questions that could potentially bias a future juror member. In addition, police cannot make statements that would heighten the condemnation of the accused. In this situation, police may either refuse to answer the query or provide other related information that is permissible under legal procedure.

Often times during an active police investigation, police will refuse to release details of the investigation. It must be understood that in releasing investigative information, officers could potentially compromise the safety of the victims and the integrity of the investigation. Therefore, during an active police investigation, police are often silent about specific police operations and more focused on providing the public with information in order to lessen the risk of future victimization.

It should be known that individual states within the United States have different rules and court procedures concerning the release of police investigative information. The information listed in this article concerns Massachusetts rules of court procedure.

To the casual observer, it might seem that not enough information is released. Please understand if information is given prematurely, there is little benefit and greater likelihood of misinformation.

Who sets the speed limits? How are they determined? In Massachusetts, speed limit signs are under the direction and control of the State of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Highway establishes speed zones and determines the location for placement of speed signs. Massachusetts Highway Traffic Engineers complete a comprehensive engineering study which considers such factors as traffic conditions, speed calculations, speed percentiles, accident data, and environmental conditions. Prior to submission to the Massachusetts Highway Office (Boston), final trial runs are conducted by a traffic engineer traveling at the proposed safe speed limits. Upon completion, the municipality receives a copy of the new speed zone regulation which legally authorizes speed posting.

Please use caution when backing your vehicle. Several consumer groups have reported that certain large sport utility vehicles and minivans may contain a blind spot when backing, thus making it difficult to see small persons or objects close to the ground. Vehicle owners may check with their car dealers to learn if an additional mirror or audible warning device may be added to the vehicle.

Snowmobiles

Each year preventable snowmobile accidents claim the lives of their victims.

Negligent and reckless operation is often a contributing factor to snowmobile accidents. Although snowmobiling can be fun, the rider should be continuously aware of the risks.

An educated snowmobile rider will use caution when snowmobiling in unfamiliar environments. Fallen logs, stones, ditches and dangerous embankments can be hidden hazards which remain covered under a recent snowfall. In addition, snowmobiling on snow covered lakes is strongly discouraged.

Snowmobile riders cannot adequately determine the thickness and safety of a frozen lake / pond from the driver's seat of a snowmobile.

Skiing and Sledding

Those who choose skiing and sledding for their winter sports are reminded to remain safe and consider wearing the appropriate protective gear.

Wearing a helmet may mitigate the risk of serious head injuries. Although sometimes tempting, please do not take unwarranted safety risks in order to impress others. Taking unnecessary risks in order to impress others can provide a fleeing moment of fame followed by emergency surgery and months of rehabilitative therapy. Sledding and skiing should always be in areas that provide maximum visibility with limited obstacles.

Skiing or sledding enthusiasts should cautiously consider their level of experience and allow for the possibility of "human error." A lack of experience combined with human error can contribute to skiing or sledding accidents. Please allow "common sense" to guide your outdoor winter recreational activities while you enjoy the beauty of the New England outdoors. Lastly, please respect the rights of property owners when snowmobiling.

With winter approaching, all drivers are cautioned to use care while driving on slippery roads. Winter's first snowfall can cause numerous motor vehicle accidents. Motorists should adjust their driving to meet road conditions, and speeds should be reduced. Driver visibility can be limited, and stopping distance always increases on slippery roads.

The cold weather puts an extra strain on your car, so this may be the time to check the maintenance of your car. It is wise to have warm clothing in the car during the winter months, in the event you "break down".

Does my child need to ride in a car seat? This question was recently asked. Although there are limited exceptions, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Section 7AA., states, "No child under age five and no child weighing forty pounds or less shall ride as a passenger in a vehicle on any way unless such child is properly fastened and secured according to the manufacturer's instructions, by a child passenger restraint as defined in section one."

I am happy to report that our officers are reporting an increase in the number of locked households, when investigating a false burglary alarm. In the past, officers investigating a false burglary alarm might find doors left unlocked. Keep up the good work, the Department commends your crime prevention efforts.