Bank Robbery Suspect arrested on Freeman Street

A suspect wanted on Federal bank robbery charges was arrested on Freeman St on Wednesday 12/23/2015 at 2:30 pm. Officers were assigned to unmarked units in response to a series of package thefts in north Brookline.  Officer Robert Teahan observed a suspicious male taking particular interest in several properties. After the subject entered one of the properties and retrieved an item he was stopped by Officer Teahan.  The subject was interviewed and gave various accounts of why he was in the area and why he had entered  the property. He further gave false identification in an attempt to mislead investigators. A subsequent search of a canvas bag he was carrying led investigator to his true identity. They were able to identify him as a subject wanted by the U.S. Marshall’s Service on Federal Bank Robbery charges stemming from an incident in Boston on December 11^th. After placing the subject under arrest, he was released to the Sheriff's Department to answer to the Federal charges.

BPD and School staff take part in Norfolk District Attorney William Morrissey Naloxone Training,

DA Morrissey trains school nurses

In spotting abuse, reversing overdoes

Two school nurses and a detective from Brookline joined more than 80 of their colleagues, athletic directors and trainers from across Norfolk County for a two-part opiate safety training, hosted by Norfolk DA Michael W. Morrissey.

The event included how to use the opiate overdose reversal drug naloxone and an evidence-based screening system to identify students at risk for addiction – particularly following post-operative prescribing for sports injuries.

“The training was in two distinct parts. The Director of School Health Services for the Department of Public Health, Mary Ann Gapinski, provided the SBIRT training,” District Attorney Morrissey said. “SBIRT stands for Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment.”

The second training segment, instructing school nurses on administering the opiate overdose reversal drug naloxone, and associated treatment, was provided by Dr. Daniel Muse, director of the emergency department at Brockton Hospital.  “Dr. Muse serves at medical director for the naloxone program we have provided to our municipal police departments,” Morrissey said.

The Norfolk DA’s Office was the first in the state, if not the country, to offer naloxone training and supply to every police and fire department in its district. It is the first in Massachusetts, if not the country, to offer the training to all of its school nurses and sports trainers.

Nurses Jill Seaman-Chandler and April Armstrong were joined by Detective Julie McDonnell at the Dec. 16 training, held at the headquarters of the Bank of Canton.

“The naloxone training grabbed the headlines and the TV spots, but we view the SBIRT portion as equally important,” Morrissey said. “It is aimed at identifying bellwether behaviors and initial warning signs before the disease of addiction has taken full hold. We are looking to prevent the eventual need for naloxone, even as we train to use it.”    

Morrissey reviews the circumstances of every fatal overdose his office responds to looking for trends and commonalities. “Many overdose decedents were introduced to opioids during their high school years following surgery for a sports injury,” Morrissey said. “Everyone with a medical role in our schools needs to know that. It may save lives.”

Morrissey, who has provided school safety grants to public school systems for the last several years, is going to supplement DPH funding to make the full implementation of SBIRT possible without cost to the towns as his grants this year.

“As one of our trainers said, schools don’t have universal postural screening because every student has scoliosis,” Morrissey said. “But if screening catches a problem early enough, prompt intervention can prevent a lifetime of negative consequences. The same holds with substance-abuse screening.”

Statement by Police Chief

December 23, 2015

Brookline Police Department Statement

The Police Department and all of our members are deeply concerned about the allegations of improper conduct made by two of our minority officers. At the time the allegations were made, the Police Department promptly initiated investigations and took steps to address issues that were raised.  The Town has a policy for investigating complaints of discriminatory behavior, part of which requires an independent investigation by the Town Human Resources Department. Therefore, until that investigation is complete we will be unable to comment further.

The Police Department has also taken the important step to engage the services of an outside consultant to assist with assessing the overall climate of the department. These allegations, though disturbing, will be dealt with and should not take away from the outstanding work the Department and our Members do on a daily basis.

Thank you.

Daniel C. O’Leary

Chief of Police

12/22/2015

On December 21^st, an officer assigned to the front desk was approached by a Brookline Resident who wanted to report her sons’ saxophone stolen.  The victim’s mother reported, her son leaving the instrument in the driveway for a few minutes, and when he returned outside to get it the saxophone was gone.

On December 21^st, an officer was dispatched to Longwood Ave. for a report of a past attempted breaking and entering. On scene, the officer spoke with the victim who reported showing his dinner guests the outside of his house when he noticed pry marks on his front door frame.  The officer determined the pry marks were consistent with that of someone using a pry bar attempting to gain access. 

School Bus Crash

Today at 8:08 AM Dispatch received a call by a passing motorist reporting a school bus had struck a pole on Chestnut Hill Avenue near Boylston Street. The bus is a Boston School bus, carrying 5 young students, believed to be under the age of eight. One student was transported to Children’s Hospital, for minor injuries, the driver was transported to Beth Israel Hospital for minor injuries. A second bus was dispatched to pick up the students; one parent had arrived on scene to take their child. The students attend a public school in Brighton. The bus has a camera system and Police have requested a copy of the video to help them determine what happened. The accident at this time is still under investigation.

12/16/2015-12/20/2015

On December 16th, an officer was dispatched to a residence on Walnut St. for a report of a past larceny. The victim reported receiving a notification from the delivery service which stated the package had been delivered to her residence. However, on her arrival home, she noticed the package was missing.

On December 17th, an officer while on patrol noticed a vehicle with a broken tail light at the intersection of Washington and Boylston St. The officer activated his emergency blue lights and made a stop at the corner of Washington St. and Pond Ave. The officer requested the driver’s license and registration. A query of the driver’s information revealed the operator’s license was suspended. The subject was placed under arrest.

On December 17th, an officer assigned to the front desk was approached by a Brookline resident who wanted to report a past larceny.  The victim reported two packages had been delivered to her apartment building on two separate dates and both packages were missing.

On December 17th, an officer was dispatched to a residence on Beacon St. for a report of a package theft. The victim reported receiving a notification from the delivery service which stated the package had been delivered. However, on her arrival home the package was missing.

On December 18^th, an officer was dispatched to Englewood Ave. for a report of a past residential Breaking and Entering. On scene, the victim reported going away for a few days and on his arrival home he noticed his apartment in disarray. The victim stated the television was the only item missing at this time. This matter is still under investigation.

On December 18^th, an officer was dispatched to a residence on Thorndike St. for a report of a package theft. The victim reported receiving a notification from the delivery service that her packages had arrived; however, on her arrival home she notice there were not packages present.

On December 19^th, an officer was dispatched to a local business on Harvard St. for a report of a shoplifting in progress. On December 18^th, the officer was dispatched to the same business for a report of a shoplifting in progress from the same person; however the subject fled the scene before the officers arrived. On scene, the manager pointed out the subject who was taking items and placing them in a tote bag. The subject was placed under arrest.

On December 19^th, an officer was observed a vehicle operating on Mountfort St. and a query of the registration indicated that the registered owner of the vehicle has his license suspended. The officer activated his emergency blue lights and safely initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of Commonwealth Ave. and Carlton St. The officer advised the driver as to the reason for the stop and asked the driver to step out to the rear of the vehicle.  The subject was placed under arrest and transported to the Brookline Police Station.