2001 AR | Return To The Current Annual Report |

2001 Annual Report

I herewith respectfully submit the Annual Report for the Nahant Police Department for the year ending December 31, 2001.

As you can see in the statistics section of this report the activity level and calls for service continue to rise each year.

Personnel:
I am pleased to report there has been no turn over of personnel during the past two years. Officer Sherber graduated from the six-month training program held at the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council Academy at Reading in September. This marks the first time in many years that we do not have a full-time officers awaiting academy training.

Training:
All officers have been requalified in firearms and shotgun use. In addition all officers have attended in service training held at the Reading Academy as well as in house training utilizing the LETN (Law Enforcement Television Network) system that was purchased (Grant) last year. Officers continue to be recertified as EMT's bi-annually through continuing education hours as well as refresher programs. Officers continue to receive specialized training form MPI (Mass Police Institute) as well as MCJTC (Mass Criminal Justice Training Council).

Grants:
Even in this time of available grants sources drying up our policy of pursuing grants is starting to pay off. This year we received a technology grant from COPS MORE 2001 in the amount of $75,000.00. This grant will enable the purchase of long overdue MDT's (mobile data computer terminals) for each cruiser. This will greatly improve officer safety on the street. This grant usually requires a 25% hard cash share of Town funds, we requested and received a waiver from the Department Of Justice from this requirement. We also received $9,400.00 for replacement of our aging bulletproof vests.

In addition we received $65,000.00 for the Commonwealth Of Massachusetts, (EOPS) Executive Office Of Public Safety for our "Community Policing Program". It is the goal to use these funds to further promote the "Community Policing Philosophies and Concepts"; to investigate the possibility of Department Accreditation, development of a "Neighborhood Crime Watch Program", as well as a "Waterfront Crime Watch Program", implementation of a "Park And Walk Patrol Program" and also upgrade previously acquired technologies.

We also received a mini-grant of $500.00 for stepped up DWI patrols over the Christmas period. We are also working with several sources including the Office Of Sheriff Frank Cousins to pursue other grants for next year. The problem as previously stated is that funding is becoming harder to obtain due to budget cuts on the State and Federal Programs and also the lead-time between application and final acceptance is well over a year on some of these grants.

Building:
Thanks to a favorable Town Meeting vote much need funds were voted for the rehabilitation of the station. All rot on the station has been removed and the building resided. New gutters, downspouts and windows have been installed. Blight on the neighborhood has been turned into a building we can all take pride in. I have requested funding in this years budget for the replacement of the roof. (Routine maintenance of the building and infrastructure along with timely vehicle replacement must remain a priority.) Once this is completed the building should continue to give many years of use with routine annual maintenance.

A new "emergency generator" which is capable of powering the entire building has been installed and a clean up of the deplorable and unsafe wiring system has been accomplished. A sincere thank you to the voters that supported the funding for these projects. I would also like to thank Roz Puleo for her efforts in rehabilitating the "American Eagle" which flies proudly over our front windows. Thanks also to Bob Cormier for his work in restoring what we believe to be the original "Police Station" sign that is below our front windows.

Radio System:
The department's antiquated radio system has been completely replaced over the last two years, all at no expense to the taxpayer. Grant funding was used to purchase a communications console; four independent base stations for use with our BAPERN (Boston Area Police Emergency Radio Network) system and all officers have had new portable radios assigned to them. As a result of a serious equipment problem associated with the new console, I was able to negotiate with the Motorla Corporation for 3 new mobile radios for the cruisers valued at over $7,500.00 at no cost to the Town. The new police communications system should give us at least twenty years of service with routine care.

9-11:
As a result of the cowardly and despicable "Terrorist Attacks" on New York City, The Pentagon and Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001 we received a "mutual aid" request from New York City. We sent a marked cruiser with Sgt. Dwyer and Officer Sherber to work at "Ground Zero". I am including a copy of the entire letter of appreciation that we received from, Roland Kandle, Director, NJCISM Team for the action of "our" officers.

I know that the entire Town and I can take pride in this letter and what our personnel did on scene.

Website:
Our sincere thanks go to, Robert Wilson (Collage Works) for generously donating many hours of his time and expertise developing and maintaining our site. All residents are invited to visit this site at www.nahantpolice.org and to participate in our on line "Community Survey". Citizen comment is strongly encouraged by taking the time to complete this survey. I am happy to report that the overwhelming majority of responses have been highly favorable. This site is updated frequently and contains much useful information. We invite citizen input in what they would like to see this site contain.

There are numerous other categories of offenses, but space limitations prevent a complete listing.
Any resident desiring additional information can contact the Records Section, M-F 8AM-4PM.

In Conclusion:
The past year has brought many improvements to all areas of this department's operation and physical plant, however many things remain to be accomplished to keep up to date and maintain our forward momentum.

My sincere thanks go to the Board Of Selectmen and Town Administrator Mark Cullinan for their continued support. Thanks and gratitude also to, Town Accountant Debbie Cormier, Sue Behen and Paula Hatfield in the Selectmen's Office, Nancy Locke and Joni Bingham in the Treasurer's Office, Frank Cusack Chairman of the Insurance Committee, Public Works Supt. Robert Ward and his department for their assistance, Nancee Peters and the Beautification Committee for their hard work in keeping our grounds looking attractive and all those who have assisted this department in numerous ways through out the past year.

Last, but not least Ellie Foley and Roz Puleo in the station front office and the entire compliment of officers' both regular and reserve for their outstanding dedication to duty, loyalty and cooperation through out the past year.

Sincerely,

William F. Waters
Chief Of Police