Reasoned Response

Turco adroitly handles complaint

For those who tuned it to the end of the WCAT broadcast of Tuesday night’s meeting, they saw a highly respected and long-time resident criticize the Town Council for its comments and actions regarding the Planning Board’s inaction on the rezoning issue for the Pleasant Street development. The resident felt that the Council had been disrespectful to the Planning Board membership and its chairman, whose record of public service in this town has been admirable and professional.

The remarks were critical of the Council, but Council President Jeffrey Turco calmly responded to the remarks in a professional manner, saying the Council had been “rebuffed” on three separate occasions in its effort to receive an opinion on the matter from the Planning Board. Long-time observers of town government and the old town meetings can attest to having seen meetings turn into arguments in which things are said that the parties later regret.

All we can say is that President Turco stepped up to the plate and defended the Council’s handling of the matter and showed the leadership and decorum that you want in your chief executive.

blotter

January 10

7:25 a.m. – A vehicle with Illinois plates is towed from Fremont Street.

8:59 a.m. – The WPD receives a report from the Gorman-Fort Banks School concerning a reckless driver who reportedly drove down the wrong side of a street, onto the sidewalk, and around a group of kids.

10:37 a.m. – Officers are dispatched to Winthrop High School, where there was a break-in over the weekend. Two of the culprits were reportedly caught on the school’s security system.

11:16 a.m. – Officers give a no trespass warning to a person in the parking lot of the Extended Stay Hotel.

11:27 a.m. – Officers are instructed to check on the town’s sidewalks and, when necessary, remind residents to shovel in front of their properties.

3:25 p.m. – WPD is informed about a sexual assault that might have been committed at a property on Pearl Street operated by North Suffolk Mental Health. The assault allegedly occurred in November.

4:03 p.m. – The WFD is notified that a woman and two children are stuck in an elevator at the E.B. Newton School.

4:17 p.m. – An improperly registered and insured car is towed from Bellevue Avenue.

5:08 p.m. – Officers are dispatched to a verbal dispute on Nahant Avenue. No action was necessary.

8:06 p.m. – The DPW is notified about callers who are concerned about the number of Christmas trees on the town’s streets.

January 11

7:35 a.m. – An officer disposes of two needles found on Cliff Avenue.

8:14 a.m. – Madeline Nieves, 41, of Winthrop, was arrested for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle following a traffic stop at Revere and Almont streets.

10:10 a.m. -  A doctor on Main Street calls to report a male is urinating in the parking lot. The subject is gone by the time units respond.

10:41 a.m. – A woman reports that she fell on an un-shoveled stretch of sidewalk in front of the Dalrymple School. Officers find that the sidewalks are clear all the way around the school. (EDITOR’S NOTE: The WPD received several calls about un-shoveled sidewalks during this shift. When needed, citations were issued; in many instances, officers talked to property owners and had them shovel their sidewalks.)

12:12 p.m. – A driver is cited for speeding on Veterans Road.

3:09 p.m. – A caller reports that the license plate on the front of his car was stolen while he was in Winthop.

5:36 p.m. – Officer Bonavita assists a driver who ran out of gas in Metcalf Square.

6:35 p.m. – A Beacon Street resident reports that someone has been entering apartment, leaving things behind and using her bathroom. Despite having the locks changed, the caller said her iPod and several video games were missing after she returned home from the holidays.

9:42 p.m. – A wallet stolen in a robbery was returned to its owner.

January 12

6:07 a.m. – Several cars were towed for blocking streets and sidewalks around town. In addition, the WPD received dozens of calls in the next several hours about downed wires and tree limbs around town due to the heavy snowstorm, as well as parking, traffic and medical aid issues. The WFD and DPW assisted in handling many of these calls.

11:02 a.m. – A Quincy Avenue resident reports she is “being given a hard time” by another resident concerning a work project. The caller is advised to call 911 the next time she receives a call and/or to receive a harassment order.

2:08 p.m. – Officers are dispatched to Putnam Place, where a resident is reportedly waving a shovel at a DPW plow driver. Peace is restored and no action is necessary.

January 13

1:22 p.m. – Officers respond to a residence at Irwin and Shirley streets, where a caller says a male “appears intoxicated and may pass out” in her hallway. The subject was evaluated and cleared by Action Ambulance.

2:24 p.m. – Someone reports that some kids are “acting up” in the area of Michael’s Mall.

2:35 p.m. – A Wave Way Avenue resident files a victim witness form involving an alleged case of threats by a neighbor over a snow shoveling dispute.

5:15 p.m. – A person came into the station requesting fingerprint service. Officer McCarthy assisted the resident.

9:39 p.m. – A Wave Way Avenue resident reports that someone broke the window on the rear, passenger side of her vehicle.

11:05 p.m. – A caller reports that his cousin is being followed by an ex-boyfriend. An officer spoke to the woman, who said “she hasn’t spoken with any cousins in years” and is not being followed by anyone.

January 14

12:26 a.m. – An Overlook Drive resident reports a car is idling outside. The driver is sent out of the area.

9:05 a.m. – A mother reports that her 17-year-old daughter did not return home last night. Fortunately, the girl made contact with her mother a short time later.

10:30 a.m. – A party brought a Coach wallet she found in the Bowdoin Street area. The owner is contacted through a relative, and informed to pick up the wallet at the station.

10:33 a.m. – Officers conducted several follow-ups concerning domestic abuse cases.

12:03 p.m. – WFD is dispatched to Winthrop Street to assist a resident who is locked out of her residence.

3:47 p.m. – A Temple Avenue resident reports that her ex-boyfriend broke into her apartment.

6:42 p.m. – A resident came into the station seeking an emergency restraining order against a former boyfriend. Officer McCarthy assisted in processing all the documents, and the order was issued by Judge Sally Padden. The defendant was notified and he said he will pick up a copy of the order at the station.

January 15

2:22 a.m. – Daniel Dillard, 27, of Winthrop, was arrested and charged with two counts of malicious destruction of property, disturbing the peace and nighttime breaking and entering of a building. The arrest was preceded by a call to Governors Park, where the suspect was allegedly trying to kick in the doors to 400 Governors Drive.

2:59 a.m. – Officer Turner helps a Cottage Avenue resident coax a possum out of her residence.

3:18 p.m. – A resident who wanted copies of police reports regarding a land dispute with neighbors was told that to contact the Police Chief’s clerk. The resident proceeded to shout at the on-duty officers. He was told to leave or be placed under arrest. He left the premises.

5:40 p.m. – A Tafts Avenue resident reports that his car’s driver’s side door was crashed into.

11:07 p.m. – A caller reports his ex-girlfriend’s kids stole some items from his home.

January 16

12:50 a.m. – Officers disperse a group of approximately 40 people from a house party on Pauline Street.

3:39 a.m. – A resident reports that someone has been “dumping chemicals in the house next door in an attempt to kill her.” The woman is taken to Whidden Hospital for an evaluation.

12:07 p.m. -  A driver is cited for speeding on Veterans Road.

1:14 p.m. – A drive is cited for a wrong-way violation at Shirley Street and Washington Avenue.

3:03 p.m. – A caller says someone is throwing ice balls into the street on Grovers Avenue, but officers don’t find anyone in the area when they respond.

4:45 p.m. – A Cottage Avenue resident reports a possible phone scam.

5:08 p.m. – Officers ask the residents of an Executives Apartment unit to turn down their music.

8:46 p.m. – Officers respond to a verbal dispute on Shore Drive over a dispute about a parking spot.

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