Billerica Police | MA

BILLERICA — Police Chief Roy Frost is pleased to report that the Billerica Police Department once again celebrated Public Safety Day thanks to a variety of community partners.

On Tuesday, Aug. 13, the Billerica Police Department was joined by numerous community partners as it celebrated Public Safety Day, a day to recognize and get to know the town’s first responders.

There were food trucks, animal demonstrations from Animal Adventures, K-9 demonstrations from members of the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council K-9 Unit, a flyover from the Massachusetts State Police Airwing, plenty of public safety vehicles on display and more.

Agencies and organizations that supported Public Safety Night include the Billerica Fire Department, Billerica Animal Control, Billerica EMS, Billerica Board of Health, Animal Adventures, Billerica Department of Public Works, the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council, the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, Stuart’s Automotive, the Massachusetts Probation Office, the Massachusetts National Guard, Massachusetts Environmental Police, AAA Northeast, the U.S. Park Service Police, the Burlington Police Drone Unit, the Thomas Talbot Masonic Lodge, and Hanscom Federal Credit Union.

“We’re pleased that public safety day was a great success this year, with lots of public safety assets and vendors on hand, and lots of residents who stopped by to join the fun,” said Chief Frost. “The Billerica Police Department is committed to being a part of this community, and this was a great opportunity to have some fun with our neighbors and fellow townspeople.”

Both the Billerica Hockey Association and the Parker School Parent Teacher Organization made generous donations to the Taylor Family Memorial Trust during Public Safety Day in honor of fallen Billerica Police Sgt. Ian Taylor.

Members of the Thomas Talbot Masonic Lodge also made a generous donation to the family of Sgt. Taylor. Masonic Lodge members presented Chief Frost with a check for the Taylor family, as well as 16 backpacks filled with stuffed animals that police will now be able to distribute to children while responding to traumatic and difficult incidents.

The backpacks were donated as part of the Masonic Lodge’s Project Delta, which has distributed thousands of such backpacks across the state and region. Each backpack is filled with two or three stuffed animals that are meant to help calm a child experiencing a crisis situation.

To learn more about Project Delta, visit: https://projectdelta.boston/.

BILLERICA — Police Chief Roy Frost and the Billerica Police Department would like to share safety tips and information on riding safely and legally in the wake of several crashes involving dirt bikes.

There have been four serious crashes involving dirt bikes in Billerica since last year, involving young people ages 15 to 24. On June 1, a rider who wasn’t wearing a helmet suffered fatal injuries in a crash.

Riding dirt bikes or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on the roads is illegal unless the vehicles are properly registered with the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

Additionally, the use of dirt bikes and ATVs is prohibited on any land in Billerica unless the rider has written permission from the owner or lessee of the land. Riding dirt bikes or ATV’s is prohibited entirely between 9 p.m. and 10 a.m.

“We have seen several serious injuries, and a fatality occur as a result of dirt bike riders riding irresponsibly, without helmets, and in situations where they were not legally permitted to be riding,” said Chief Frost. “We appreciate that dirt bikes and ATVs are fun, but they have to be used in accordance with the law and proper safety guidelines.”

Billerica Police would like to share the following safety tips from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation for riding dirt bikes safely:

• Always wear a DOT-compliant helmet, goggles, long sleeves, long pants, over-the-ankle boots and gloves.
• Except for dual-purpose models, never ride on paved surfaces except to cross when done safely and permitted by law – another vehicle could hit you. Dirt bikes are designed to be operated off-highway.
• Never ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Supervise riders younger than 16; dirt bikes are not toys.
• Never permit youngsters to ride dirt bikes that are too tall or too powerful for their capabilities.
• Don’t ride alone on remote trails. Use the buddy system.
• Ride only on designated trails and at a safe speed.
• Take a hands-on riding course.

To ensure all motorists know ATV and bicycle laws, along with the rules of the road, the department offers the following information courtesy of the Massachusetts Environmental Police:

• No person under 18 years of age shall operate a recreation vehicle or recreation utility vehicle (all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, dirt bikes, etc.) unless they have successfully completed an approved recreation vehicle safety and responsibility course.
• No person ages 14 to 16 shall operate an all-terrain vehicle or a recreation utility vehicle with an engine capacity greater than 90 cubic centimeters. When operating such vehicles 90 cubic centimeters or less, persons ages 14 to 16 must be directly supervised by an adult.
• The following are some examples of the prohibited operations of recreation vehicles or recreation utility vehicles:

• Operation of a recreation vehicle or recreation utility vehicle while on public ways or upon or across a controlled-access highway is strictly prohibited.
• Operating at an unreasonable, improper, or unsafe speed for existing conditions. Also, failure to come to a complete stop when crossing an approved public way (must yield to motor vehicle traffic).
• Operating a vehicle that emits noxious fumes or makes excessive noise.
• Operating on the land of another without the written permission of the owner or operating within 150 feet of a residence without permission of the owner.

For more information on state laws regarding the use of dirt bikes and ATVs, visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/summary-of-off-highway-vehicle-safety-laws.

Billerica – On Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at approximately 7:30PM, Officer C. Devito was patrolling the Pinehurst area of Billerica when he observed a white Acura TLX with windows that appeared to be tinted in excess of Massachusetts State Law. Officer Devito subsequently determined that the registered owner also had a suspended Massachusetts Driver’s License. After conducting a motor vehicle stop, the operator was arrested for the motor vehicle violations after which an inventory of his vehicle resulted in the discovery of a loaded 9mm handgun under the driver’s seat. It was determined that the defendant, Gerson Melchor Ramos, 21, of Woburn, MA was not licensed to possess the firearm. Melchor Ramos was subsequently charged with Operating a MV with a Suspended License, Obstructed Non-Transparent Windows, Possession a Firearm without license, Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm, and Possession of Ammunition. He will be arraigned in Lowell District Court on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.

**Note: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.