Press Releases

Essex Police Respond to Scene After Vehicle Crashes into Home

Sean Smyth Essex PD, Press Releases
Essex Police patch

Chief Thomas Shamshak Jr. reports that the Essex Police Department responded to a vehicle that crashed into a home on Eastern Avenue. At 9:20 p.m. Friday, June 13, an on-duty Essex Police Officer observed a vehicle traveling erratically westbound along Route 133 from Gloucester. The vehicle had struck traffic barrels in the roadway. When the officer approached the vehicle on foot, it left the scene, still dragging debris from colliding with the barrels. The officer radioed to dispatch, and other officers began to seek out the vehicle. Officers soon discovered that the vehicle had crashed into a home at 51

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Essex Police Chief Paul Francis Retiring, Sgt. Tom Shamshak to Take Over as Chief of Department

jgprrobert Press Releases

ESSEX — The Essex Board of Selectmen reports that Police Chief Paul Francis is retiring effective April 11, and he will be replaced by the promotion of an 18-year veteran of the Essex Police Department, Sgt. Tom Shamshak. Chief Francis, a lifelong resident of Gloucester, joined the Essex Police Department in 1995 as a reserve police officer, and joined the department full-time after graduating from the Lowell Police Academy in 1997. He was promoted to sergeant in 2007, and became chief in 2019. Chief Francis holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Curry College. Chief Francis is most proud

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Essex Police Department Earns Re-Accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission

Payton Hebert Essex PD, Press Releases

ESSEX — Chief Paul Francis is pleased to report that the Essex Police Department earned re-accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission (MPAC). Members of the Department were presented a re-accreditation award on Feb. 12 at the Marlborough Country Club. The Essex Police Department has been an accredited department since 2019. Accredited police departments are required to undergo assessment for re-accreditation every three years, meaning the department will remain accredited until 2028. Administrative Sgt. Daniel Bruce is the Department’s Accreditation Manager, ensuring that Essex Police is meeting all necessary standards. Accreditation is a self-initiated, lengthy, and comprehensive evaluation process. Participating

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Help Save a Life. Learn the Signs of an Overdose.

Tom Zuppa Essex PD, Press Releases

Today, Aug. 31, is International Overdose Awareness Day.  On this day we remember loved ones who have died from overdose and encourage support and recovery efforts for those impacted by substance use and overdose. Save a life. An estimated 107,543 people died in 2023 from a drug overdose according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which marks the third straight year that deaths have surpassed 100,000. To learn more about International Overdose Awareness Day and some helpful tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention click here: https://tinyurl.com/5y7a7r7a

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Police, Fire Departments Share Info on Heat Advisory, Safety Tips

Tom Zuppa Essex PD, Press Releases

The Police and Fire Departments wish to share tips for residents to stay safe, cool, and healthy with severe heat expected in the coming days. The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory valid from noon on Tuesday, June 18, to 7 p.m. on Friday, June 21. During this time, heat index values are expected to climb as high as 104 degrees. In Massachusetts, temperatures may reach a high of 96 degrees during the day, with not much relief during the overnight hours, as heat indexes are only expected to drop into the 70s. Even in short exposure periods, severe temperatures such as

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Drop Off Unwanted, Unused Prescriptions at Drug Take Back Day on Saturday

Tom Zuppa Essex PD, Press Releases
Essex Police patch

The Essex Police Department, in partnership with the Board of Health, is once again participating in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s annual Drug Take Back Day. We will be on hand collecting expired, unused and unwanted prescriptions, as well as over the counter drugs, this Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Essex Public Safety Building, 11 John Wise Ave.

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Police Department Shares Winter Storm Safety Tips Ahead of Tomorrow’s Storm

Tom Zuppa Press Releases

The Police Department would like to share the following safety tips ahead of tomorrow’s expected storm. At this time, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Winter Storm Warning across Massachusetts for Tuesday, Feb. 13. Snow accumulations of as many as 7-13 inches are possible, with wind gusts potentially approaching 40 miles per hour. Travel could be very difficult to impossible with snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour at times. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The Police Department wishes to share the following winter weather safety tips and other important information: Before a

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Essex Police Department Informs Community of Upcoming Paving Project on Route 22

Camryn Langille Essex PD, Press Releases
Essex Police patch

Chief Paul Francis and the Essex Police Department would like to inform the community that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation will be conducting a paving project on Route 22 in Essex, beginning on Monday. Beginning on Monday, Sept. 18, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation will be starting a roadway resurfacing project on Route 22 in Essex. The project will take place on Western Avenue beginning at the Hamilton Line. It will continue onto Martin Street, ending past Shepard Memorial Drive just past Essex Town Hall. The first phase of this project will entail milling the road, which is projected to

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