2008 AR | 07 REPORT | 06 REPORT | 05 REPORT | 04 REPORT | 03 REPORT | 02 Report | 01 REPORT

2002 Annual Report

I herewith respectfully submit the Annual Report for the Nahant Police Department for the year ending December 31, 2002.

Personnel:
This year we did loose one officer to the Lynn Police Department. However we were extremely fortunate to be able to obtain the services of Steven Shultz. Officer Shultz comes from a family of law enforcement professionals. He has previously worked for the N.Y.P.D. and a New Hampshire police department. Because of his past training and experience he qualified for a waiver from the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Council. This saved the Town a considerable sum of money in training expenses. I know Officer Shultz will be a credit to this department.

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) by a Grant in 2000. The annual funding of subscription services for this program has also been funded by Grants. 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). Sgt. Dwyer attended and successfully completed a two-month "Police Supervision Course" sponsored by (MPI) Massachusetts Police Institute.

Grants:
As predicted last year grant funding has either been completely eliminated, such as the DARE Program or greatly cut back. At this time I foresee very tough times ahead if the grant programs continue the present trend. The results of these grant cut backs will be devastating to our department, as we have relied so heavily upon this source of funding for technology enhancements to our operations. That having been said we did however manage to receive a "Community Policing Grant" of $61,750.00 from the Commonwealth Of Massachusetts, (EOPS) Executive Office Of Public Safety. We were also able to obtain another (EOPS) grant in the amount of $15,500.00 from the "Weapons Of Mass Destruction Program". In addition we received a grant of $4,800.00 from the (GHSB) Governor's Highway Safety Bureau for enforcement and public education concerning seat belt use.

Building:
Thanks again to the support of the Board Of Selectmen, Town Administrator Cullinan and Town Meeting Members, funding was made available to replace the failed roof on the Station. This building has gone under major improvements during the past three years. Both exterior and interior are now in fine condition. The cellblock and upstairs hallway were paneled. Thanks to a very generous donation from the Nahant Dunkin Donuts Café we were able to replace our tired flagpole with a new fiberglass 35' nautical pole. With annual routine maintenance we should be able to keep the building in a condition in which the Town and Officers can take pride. I would at this time like to speak to a twenty-year building replacement plan. We often hear the buzz word 5 year plan, however this project should be thought of now and put on the radar screen so the Town does not end up in a crisis mode when the time arrives. I believe that by the year 2023 a new building should be a reality. There are of course many issues to be addressed in this type of project, but now is the time to start giving thought to this project.

Website:
Once again our sincere appreciation to Robert Wilson of Collage Works for his commitment to this project. This past year our site has been completely redone and is one of the finest, if not the finest police site in the Country. I would like to invite all to visit this site at www.nahantpolice.org. It contains a wealth of information with many searchable links. While there please take a moment to complete our "Community Survey Page" and rate our site. Your input is very important to our department.

Community Initiatives:
This summer saw the implementation of our new "Park And Walk Program". This program is designed to put the officers in direct contact with our citizens by getting the officers out of the car, thus enabling them to have direct one on one dialog with the public. The program concentrates on the beach and recreation areas as well as direct contact with Nahant's merchants.

We also saw the start of a meaningful "Neighborhood Crime Watch" and "Waterfront Watch" program. I would encourage every resident of the Town to become involved. Our Crime Watch Officer, Armand Conti, holds monthly meetings for all citizens who want to help make Nahant a safer community in which to live. Officer Conti maybe contacted at 781-581-1212 or via our web pages at aconti@nahantploice.org

We have placed (AED's) Automatic External Defibrillators in all our cruisers as the police department is usually first on the scene there will be no delay in administering immediate care to someone in cardiac arrest.

This department also took delivery of a automatic speed trailer. This will be used in areas of high speeding incidents. You can expect to see this in many locations this upcoming Summer.

Main computer server was replaced and operating system updated from Windows NT to Windows 2000.

All cruisers are now equipped with (MDT's) mobile data terminals, which provide mobile data connection to the Station database as well as State and Federal interfaces.
These are just a few of the programs, equipment and initiatives made possible at no cost to the Town Of Nahant by Grant Funding.

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 provided us with many new challenges and opportunities as we continue our many programs.

As this report is being prepared there are many fiscal unknowns that may have a devastating impact upon our day-to-day operations as well as negatively affecting our ability to obtain State and Federal Grants. Governor Swift has already deeply cut many State funded programs and no doubt Governor Romney will continue along the same path. This will not only adversely affect the Town but will severely impact the Police Department Operational Budget. With all different type scenarios on the horizon, I think it only prudent to mention the "O" (over-ride) word as one possible option to save essential Town Services, which have already been cut to the bone. As a taxpayer the prospect of raising my own property tax is not an appealing one, but one that does deserve careful thought and consideration, if we are to keep Nahant a desirable place to live and have your children grow up in!

My sincere thanks to the Board Of Selectmen and Town Administrator Mark Cullinan for their continued support. Appreciation also to the Members of the Fin-Com for their support and understanding when the roof repair estimate exceeded the appropriation do to the failed sheathing under the asphalt shingles.

Thanks and gratitude are in order 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, Fire Chief Lee Fox and all the members of his department both full-time and call firefighters, 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