Category: News

Bridgewater Police Take Barricaded Subject into Custody Following Incident at Local Business

Leah Comins News
Bridgewater Police Take Barricaded Subject into Custody Following Incident at Local Business

BRIDGEWATER — Chief Christopher D. Delmonte reports that the Bridgewater Police Department is investigating following an incident that occurred at a local business this morning.

At approximately 9:50 a.m., the Bridgewater Police Department responded to a business on Scotland Boulevard for a report of a man in an office with a gun and a potential hostage situation.

Bridgewater Police officers arrived at the scene within one minute and established a perimeter. Bridgewater State University Police also responded to assist. Officers requested that a Crisis Negotiation Team and the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) Special Response Team (SRT) respond to the scene.

A short time later the suspect surrendered the gun, which was determined to be a pellet gun, but refused to exit the building. Officers on scene were subsequently able to enter the building, establish communication with the suspect and subdue him. He was placed into custody without further incident at approximately 10:20 a.m.

The suspect, who is known to employees of the business, was identified as CARL LAWRENCE, AGE 53, OF BRIDGEWATER. He is known to police.

LAWRENCE was transported to an area hospital for treatment. There were no injuries to victims or officers.

The incident remains under investigation and LAWRENCE will face criminal charges.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty. 

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*UPDATE – FOUND* Fairhaven Police Report Missing Woman Found Safe

Leah Comins News , ,
*UPDATE – FOUND* Fairhaven Police Report Missing Woman Found Safe

FAIRHAVEN — Fairhaven Police Chief Michael J. Myers, who activated the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) Search and Rescue Unit, reports that the woman who was reported missing on Monday morning, March 6 has been found safe.

At approximately 3:20 p.m. Tuesday, the 43-year-old woman was located by first responders near the hurricane barrier just west of Egypt Lane in Fairhaven.

The woman was evaluated by EMS on scene and taken to an area hospital for evaluation.

The Fairhaven Police Department would like to thank the many public safety partners from around the region who assisted in searching Monday and Tuesday, as well as members of the public who helped to share the information.

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FOUND – Fairhaven Police, SEMLEC Search and Rescue Actively Searching for Missing Woman

jgprrobert News

** The missing woman was found safe at approximately 3:20 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7.

FAIRHAVEN — Fairhaven Police Chief Michael J. Myers, who has activated the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) Search and Rescue Unit, reports that rescuers are searching for a woman who was last seen in the area of Pope Beach on Manhattan Avenue on Monday.

The 43-year-old woman was last seen on video surveillance at approximately 7:30 a.m. She was reported missing at approximately 11:30 a.m.

According to family members, she left her residence this morning with her dog. The dog was found by Fairhaven Animal Control at approximately 9:30 a.m., with no sign of the woman.

The woman is approximately 5 feet-8 inches tall, with black hair. She is wearing black pants and a maroon jacket.

First responders are currently searching the shoreline from the land and the water, and are using assets from the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) Search and Rescue Team, a Drone Unit, K-9 units from multiple agencies, Harbormasters, and the Fairhaven Police and Fire Departments.

Anyone who locates the woman or believes they may have information about her whereabouts is asked to call the Fairhaven Police Department at 508-997-7421.

Taunton Police, SEMLEC Respond to Disturbance Involving Armed Individual

Sean Smyth News , ,

TAUNTON — Chief Edward J. Walsh reports that the Taunton Police Department, with the assistance of its local and regional law enforcement partners, arrested a suspect following an armed standoff overnight at a duplex.

At approximately 11:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15, Taunton Police responded to a home on Pratt Street for a report of an individual armed with a handgun who had shown up outside the home and was making threats to a resident inside who is known to the suspect.

The duplex and homes in the immediate area were evacuated out of an abundance of caution. The City of Taunton also sent out a reverse 911 call to area residents.

The suspect remained outside gesturing with a handgun. Taunton Police established a perimeter, and crisis negotiators responded to the scene to begin de-escalation efforts.

Taunton Police made the decision to activate the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) SWAT Team, which brings highly trained police officers to the scene under the local control of Taunton Police.

After several hours of crisis negotiations, the suspect made a gesture with their gun resulting in a SEMLEC SWAT officer firing one shot around 6 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16, that struck the suspect’s hand, causing the suspect to drop the gun.

The suspect was then taken to a local hospital under police custody to be treated for a hand injury.

The scene was cleared by Taunton Police at approximately 8 a.m. Police recovered the handgun and it was taken into evidence.

This incident remains under active investigation by the Taunton Police Department.

No additional information is available at this time.

Missing Boy Found Safe by Dighton Police

Benjamin Paulin News , , ,
Missing Boy Found Safe by Dighton Police

DIGHTON — Dighton Police Chief Shawn Cronin reports that a missing boy has been found safe.

The boy had gone missing from his home around 9 a.m. today.

Chief Cronin activated the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) Search and Rescue Unit to assist in locating the boy.

He was located about a half-mile from his home at approximately 1:30 p.m. by Dighton Police Sgt. Jason McGovern, who is also assigned to the SEMLEC Search and Rescue Unit.

In addition to Dighton Police and SEMLEC Search and Rescue, the Dighton Fire Department, SEMLEC K9 Unit, MetroLEC Operations Support Unit and Bristol County Sheriff’s Department K9 Unit also assisted in the search.

Chief Cronin would like to thank everyone who helped to locate the boy and safely reunite him with his family, particularly SEMLEC Search and Rescue Control Chief Marc Haslam and Taunton Police Lt. Eric Nichols.

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*UPDATE 3/18/21 2 p.m.* Fairhaven Police Report Missing Man Found Safe

Leah Comins News , ,

Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council

Search and Rescue

Activated Under the Local Control of the Fairhaven Police Department Chief Michael J. Myers and Led by Control Chief George M. McNeil of the Somerset Police Department

FAIRHAVEN — Fairhaven Police Chief Michael J. Myers, who activated the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) Search and Rescue Unit Wednesday, reports that the man who was reported missing during the afternoon of Wednesday, March 17 has been found safe.

Just before noon on Thursday, the 72-year-old man, a New Bedford resident, was located by a woman seated in a vehicle in the area of Chestnut Street in Fairhaven. She then flagged down two officers who were passing by on bicycles.

The man was evaluated by EMS on scene and later taken to an area hospital for evaluation.

The Fairhaven Police Department would like to thank all of the first responders from around the region who assisted in searching Wednesday and Thursday, as well as all the members of the public who volunteered to search.

The assisting agencies included: Fairhaven Police Department, Acushnet Police Department, Mattapoisett Police Department, Fairhaven Fire Department and call firefighters, Fairhaven Harbormaster, New Bedford Police Department Marine Unit, Bristol County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, SEMLEC Search & Rescue, SEMLEC Mobile Command Center, SEMLEC Dive Team, SEMLEC Bicycle Unit, Mass State Police Special Emergency Response Team, Mass State Police Air Wing, Mass Environmental Police and the Department of Conservation & Recreation.

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(UPDATE 3/18/21 2 p.m. — Man Found Safe) *UPDATE 3/18/21 11 a.m. — Missing Person* Fairhaven Police, SEMLEC Search and Rescue Provide Update on Search for Missing Man

Leah Comins News ,

Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council

Search and Rescue

Activated Under the Local Control of the Fairhaven Police Department Chief Michael J. Myers and Led by Control Chief George M. McNeil of the Somerset Police Department

UPDATE 3/18/21 2 p.m. – The missing man has been found safe.

FAIRHAVEN — Fairhaven Police Chief Michael J. Myers, who has activated the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) Search and Rescue Unit, reports that local law enforcement officers continue to seek the public’s help in locating a man who has been missing since the afternoon of Wednesday, March 17.

The man, a New Bedford resident, has been missing since approximately 2 p.m. Wednesday and was last seen in the area Cushman Park. He is non-verbal with autism.

He was walking with a group of people in the park when he got separated from the group. He was last seen wearing a black puffy down jacket, gray sweatpants, beige shoes and possibly a black knit hat.

He is approximately 6-feet-2-inches tall with a medium build and weighs about 250 pounds. He has gray hair and a mustache.

Fairhaven residents are asked to thoroughly check their property for any signs of the man, including all outbuildings they may have on their property, enclosed porches and vehicles. 

Mobile police units from the Fairhaven, Acushnet and Mattapoisett Police Departments and Massachusetts State Police canvassed the town overnight Wednesday and into Thursday, with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing.

Additional ground and sea assets assembled to continue a more extensive search at 6 a.m. Thursday.

The following agencies are currently assisting with the search: Fairhaven Police Department, Fairhaven Fire Department and call firefighters, Fairhaven Harbormaster, New Bedford Police Department Marine Unit, Bristol County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, SEMLEC Search & Rescue, SEMLEC Mobile Command Center, SEMLEC Dive Team, SEMLEC Bicycle Unit, Mass State Police Special Emergency Response Team, Mass State Police Air Wing, Mass Environmental Police and the Department of Conservation & Recreation.

The department would also like to thank the many volunteers from the community who assisted in searching the town Wednesday.

Anyone who locates the man or believes they may have information about his whereabouts is asked to immediately call the Fairhaven Police Department at 508-997-7421.

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(UPDATE 3/18/21 2 p.m. — Man Found Safe) *Missing Person* Fairhaven Police, SEMLEC Search and Rescue Actively Searching for Missing Man

Benjamin Paulin News , , ,

Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council

Search and Rescue

Activated Under the Local Control of the Fairhaven Police Department Chief Michael J. Myers and Led by Control Chief George M. McNeil of the Somerset Police Department

UPDATE 3/18/21 2 p.m. – The missing man has been found safe.

FAIRHAVEN — Fairhaven Police Chief Michael J. Myers, who has activated the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) Search and Rescue Unit, reports that local law enforcement officers are seeking the public’s help in locating a man who was last seen at Cushman Park on Wednesday, March 17.

The 72-year-old man was last seen at approximately 1:25 p.m. He is non-verbal with autism.

He was walking with a group of people in the park when he got separated from the group. He is wearing a black puffy down jacket and grey sweatpants. 

He is approximately 6-feet-2-inches-tall and weighs about 260 pounds.

Anyone who locates the man or believes they may have information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Fairhaven Police Department at 508-997-7421.

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SEMLEC Mourns the Death of Search and Rescue Hero John Borges

John Guilfoil News
Officer John Borges (Left) was SEMLEC's "Go-To" Person for Search and Rescue Operations and Strategies and he was responsible for locating countless missing persons during his career, often working long hours past his shift without putting in for overtime.

Officer John Borges (Left) was SEMLEC's "Go-To" Person for Search and Rescue Operations and Strategies and he was responsible for locating countless missing persons during his career, often working long hours past his shift without putting in for overtime.
Officer John Borges (Left) was SEMLEC’s “Go-To” Person for Search and Rescue Operations and Strategies and he was responsible for locating countless missing persons during his career, often working long hours past his shift without putting in for overtime.

TAUNTON — The Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) joins the entire emergency responder community in mourning the death of Taunton Police Officer John Borges, who died Dec. 24 at age 49 after battling COVID-19.

Somerset Police Chief George McNeil, the control chief and head of the SEMLEC Search and Rescue Unit (SAR) recalled Officer Borges as the “glue” that held the team together and one of the region’s preeminent experts on search techniques.

“Officer Borges worked the midnight to 8 a.m. shift, and when there was an active search for missing person, he would regularly stay past his shift and continue to work, on his own time. He didn’t even put in for overtime,” Chief McNeil said. “I have been a police officer for 34 years, and I learned new things every time I worked with Officer Borges. He was excellent at his job–the job of finding lost people.”

Officer Borges was one of the founding members of SEMLEC SAR in 2003 and remained on the team through multiple control chiefs and leadership charges in Southern Massachusetts. He possessed a wealth of knowledge on missing persons cases. He was a search and rescue instructor who trained other first responders in the region, including state officials and first responders around the nation. He was also an expert and instruction in Incident Command Systems (ICS).

Chief McNeil recalled a case from 2009 in which a man went missing during a particularly cold night. There was a language barrier with the man’s family, as they only spoke Portuguese. Officer Borges was fluent in Portuguese and was able to bridge the communications gap with the family, an essential task that helped lead rescuers in the right direction. They found the man and reunited him with his family. 

“We were involved in many searches together, and when SEMLEC deployed for a search and rescue mission, the people of Southeastern Massachusetts could count on Officer Borges to be there, coordinating the effort to find a loved one,” Chief McNeil said. “He made our communities safer.”

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, nearly 180 police officers have died of COVID-19 in the U.S. this year. These are people who cannot abide by stay at home advisories and cannot always be socially distant.

About SEMLEC:
We are a mutual aid consortium comprised of resources from the police departments of 30 cities and towns. We respond when requested by a chief of police to assist with search and rescue, special events, or major crimes. We also draw on some of the most talented police officers in the region to form the SEMLEC SWAT Team, which deploys when needed to save lives and protect the citizens of southeastern Massachusetts.
Our members are all sworn police officers from one of the 30 member communities. Our units respond only when called by one of the 30 chiefs of police in our region.

To learn more about SEMLEC, click here.

 

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SEMLEC Appoints New Search and Rescue  Control Chief Following Chief Wall’s Retirement

Benjamin Paulin News , , , ,
SEMLEC Appoints New Search and Rescue  Control Chief Following Chief Wall’s Retirement

The Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) is pleased to announce that Whitman Police Chief Timothy Hanlon will replace Pembroke Police Chief Richard Wall upon his retirement.

At a recent SEMLEC meeting, Chief Hanlon was voted to replace Chief Wall as a control chief for the SEMLEC Search and Rescue Unit. Chief Hanlon will be working alongside Somerset Police Chief George McNeil as the unit’s two control chiefs.

Each SEMLEC unit has two control chiefs who oversee the operations of their respective units.

As the control chiefs for the Search and Rescue Unit, Chiefs McNeil and Hanlon will oversee all search and rescue operations in the region to find individuals believed to be in distress, lost, sick or injured in areas that are either remote or difficult to access.

“We look forward to working alongside Chief Hanlon in the Search and Rescue Unit,” Chief McNeil said. “The Whitman Police Department has been a member agency of SEMLEC for several years and it will be great to see Chief Hanlon step into a leadership position within the Council. I would also like to wish Chief Wall all the best in his retirement. He has been an asset to the unit and we will miss him dearly.”

At yesterday’s monthly training the SEMLEC Search and Rescue Unit presented Chief Wall with a token of appreciation for his many years of dedication to the team and all of the communities SEMLEC represents. Chief Wall served as a control chief for SEMLEC Search and Rescue for the past seven years and has served in law enforcement for the past 34 years.

About SEMLEC:
We are a mutual aid consortium comprised of resources from the police departments of 30 cities and towns. We respond when requested by a chief of police to assist with search and rescue, special events, or major crimes. We also draw on some of the most talented police officers in the region to form the SEMLEC SWAT Team, which deploys when needed to save lives and protect the citizens of southeastern Massachusetts.
Our members are all sworn police officers from one of the 30 member communities. Our units respond only when called by one of the 30 chiefs of police in our region.

To learn more about SEMLEC, click here.

 

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