Essex Police Department Shares Tips to Stay Safe This Halloween

ESSEX — Chief Paul Francis and the Essex Police Department would like to share tips and guidance to help kids and families stay safe as they celebrate Halloween this year.   On Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 5-8 p.m., Essex Police will support road closures on Winthrop, Pickering and Maple Streets, where a community trick-or-treating event will be held. Members of the community are invited to attend the event, which offers a traffic-free trick-or-treating option. Costume Safety Enjoy a safe and happy Halloween by following the below guidelines, courtesy of the Food and Drug Administration and Consumer Product Safety Commission: Reduce

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Essex Police Department Shares Back-to-School Safety Tips

ESSEX — Chief Paul Francis and the Essex Police Department would like to offer students, families and motorists important back-to-school travel safety tips as the new school year begins.  Traveling To and From School Walking to school: Walk on the sidewalk whenever possible. When on a street with no sidewalk, walk facing traffic. Before crossing the street, stop and look left, right and left again to see if cars are coming. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street and always cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Stay alert and avoid distracted walking. Never walk while texting. If you need

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*Joint Statement* Manchester Essex Regional School District and Police Partners Provide Update

MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — Superintendent Pamela Beaudoin, Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Chief Todd Fitzgerald and Essex Police Chief Paul Francis wish to provide an update on the investigation into concerning language uttered at  Manchester Essex Regional Middle High School recently. The investigation has been completed, and it has been determined that there was never any threat made against the school or school community. The investigation, made by police and school officials working together, determined that a generic, non-threatening comment was made by a student about criminals targeting large groups of assembled people. The student was not making a threat and did not intend to

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Essex Police Department Shares Information on New National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Number

New Three-Digit Phone Number 988 to Take Effect July 16 ESSEX — Chief Paul Francis and the Essex Police Department wish to share information regarding the new National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, 988, which will take effect on Saturday, July 16. The 988 dialing code will become the new national number routing callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline across the U.S. on July 16. The new phone line will be accessible 24/7/365 by call or text. The new number was designated by Congress in 2020. Similar to calling 911 for emergency response, the three-digit number is easy to remember for

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Essex Police Department Shares Package Theft Prevention Tips During Holiday Season

ESSEX – With the holiday season fast approaching and more people shopping for gifts, Chief Paul Francis and the Essex Police Department would like to provide tips to prevent theft for residents expecting package deliveries in the coming weeks. According to the National Neighborhood Watch, nearly one in four adults in the United States has reported having a package stolen at least once. The Essex Police Department wishes to share the following tips from the National Neighborhood Watch to help prevent package theft: Consider getting a P.O. box at your local post office or having packages delivered to your office Set

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Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund Informational Forum in Essex

Essex, through the Board of Selectmen and the Essex Housing Coalition (which is supported by the Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association – CHAPA) is exploring the possibility of establishing a municipal affordable housing trust fund.  Please join us in a remote forum on December 6, 2021 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  You will learn what a housing trust fund is, how the fund functions and is managed, and the types of activities a trust can engage in.  Examples from other Massachusetts communities will also be shared.  The forum will be led by personnel from the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP).

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Essex Police Department Arrests Man on Multiple Charges, Including Cocaine Trafficking

ESSEX — Chief Paul Francis reports that the Essex Police Department arrested a man on multiple charges, including cocaine trafficking following a traffic stop yesterday afternoon. PEDRO ORTIZ, AGE 47, OF PEABODY was arrested and charged with: Trafficking in Cocaine, 100 Grams or More, Less than 200 Disguise to Obstruct Justice Motor Vehicle Operator Refusing to Identify Himself Speeding Marked Lanes Violation Operating a Motor Vehicle With a Suspended License (Subsequent Offense) At 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 8, Essex Police were made aware by Ipswich Police that a vehicle driven by ORTIZ, who is known to police to have a suspended license,

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Essex Police Department Shares Safety Tips During Hurricane Preparedness Week

ESSEX — As a part of Hurricane Preparedness Week, Chief Paul Francis and the Essex Police Department are encouraging residents to take a series of precautions in the event of a tropical storm or hurricane. Gov. Charlie Baker has proclaimed July 11-17 to be Hurricane Preparedness Week and is emphasizing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ vulnerability to tropical storms and hurricanes, as well as the importance of being prepared for the impacts of these storms.  June 1 marked the official start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, which runs through Nov. 30. While most hurricanes and tropical storms that hit New England occur

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Essex Police Department Shares Boating and Beach Safety Tips

ESSEX — As the sun comes out and temperatures rise, Chief Paul Francis and the Essex Police Department would like to share tips on boating and beach safety to keep residents safe this summer. According to the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC), there were 4,168 boating accidents, 2,559 injuries and 613 deaths due to boating in 2019. When operating a boat, residents must remain vigilant and follow all safety guidelines. While out on a boat, it’s important that everyone wears a life jacket. In 2019, 86% of drowning victims from recreational boating accidents were not wearing a life jacket. Operators who navigate a

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Essex Police Department Offers Pedestrian, Bicycle and Motorcycle Safety Tips

ESSEX — With the arrival of warmer weather, Chief Paul Francis and the Essex Police Department wish to remind residents of important safety tips for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcycle drivers. Pedestrian Safety The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers the following safety tips for pedestrians when walking in public places: Be predictable; follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals. Keep alert at all times; don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes (and ears) off the road. Whenever possible, cross streets at crosswalks or intersections, where drivers expect pedestrians. Look for cars in all directions,

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