Billerica Police Department Awarded Pedestrian Safety Grant

Billerica Police | MA Posted on by

BPD PatchOnce again this year the Billerica Police Department has been awarded a grant to enhance pedestrian safety, in order to help make sharing the road in Billerica a safer place for pedestrians and bicyclists, the Billerica Police Department was recently awarded a $ 5000. grant by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) Highway Safety Division from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The funding comes from approximately $280,000 specifically provided to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety in the Commonwealth.

According to the Massachusetts Traffic Records Analysis Center (MassTRAC), there have been 320 fatal injuries and 3,456 serious or incapacitating injuries sustained by pedestrians in motor vehicle crashes from 2008 to 2012. During the same time frame, bicyclists sustained 1,106 serious or incapacitating injuries and 43 fatal injuries as a result of motor vehicle crashes.

Bicyclists and pedestrians are particularly vulnerable to the motoring public because they may not be immediately visible to drivers and unlike those in vehicles, nothing protects them from impact. All users need to learn to share the road safely and be mindful of one another and the law.

Residents can expect to see a combination of enforcement techniques including crosswalk stings using decoy pedestrians. The department is committed to improving pedestrian safety and cracking down on drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists who do not share the road appropriately, so no one puts themselves or others in harm’s way.

The Billerica Police Department, in partnership with EOPSS, recognizes that traffic crashes are preventable and is committed to using this grant to reduce the number of motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries involving pedestrians and bicyclists in Billerica because any death or injury on our roadways is one too many.

The link below is an informational clip on BATV for pedestrians as well as drivers, please take the time to view it.

Child Struck By Motor Vehicle at Day Care

Billerica Police | MA Posted on by

BPD PatchBILLERICA — Deputy Chief Roy Frost reports that the Billerica Police Department responded to A Brighter Rainbow Learning Center today after a vehicle crashed through the building and struck a child.

At 5:25 p.m., police received a report that a Subaru Outback, operated by a 38-year-old woman from Billerica, had crashed into the side of A Brighter Rainbow Learning Center, 862 Boston Road, striking a male child under 2 years old and pinning him under the car.

The woman had been driving on the northbound side of Boston Road (Route 3A) when she had a medical episode in her vehicle. While this was occurring, the vehicle left the roadway and traveled into the parking lot of 880/884 Boston Rd where at least one other vehicle was struck before the Subaru continued north on Boston Rd.

She then drove up onto the curb near the intersection of Chesterfield Av., struck a fence and then crashed into the side of the learning center. The vehicle crashed through the wall of the building and into the main childcare area. Four children were inside at the time, and at least three other children were in the outside play area.

One of the children inside, the male toddler, was struck and pinned under the vehicle. The boy was alert and conscious upon ambulance’s arrival. He was transported to Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington. Two other children were treated at the scene.

The woman was also transported to Lahey with non life-threatening injuries.

This incident remains open and under investigation.

Billerica Police Investigating Vandalism of Statue at St. Mary’s Catholic Church

Billerica Police | MA Posted on by

BILLERICA — Billerica Police responded Wednesday morning to St. Mary’s Church, located at 796 Boston Road, for a report of vandalism. Upon arrival, Sgt. Frank Mirasolo spoke with a maintenance worker who stated that a parishioner alerted him to a damaged statue located behind the church this morning. The statue, depicting the Virgin Mary, had its head and both hands severed.

It is believed that the damage was done late last night or early this morning.

“We are actively investigating this disturbing crime and will continue to do so until we find those responsible,” Chief Rosa said. “If you have seen anything suspicious around this church or any other religious institution, contact police immediately.”

The Department is aware of other incidents of vandalism reported at Catholic churches in Massachusetts recently. Detectives are investigating to determine if there is any possible link to these other incidents.

Anyone with information related to this incident should contact the Billerica Police Department at 978-667-1212.

Massachusetts Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Transporting a Minor For Illegal Sexual Activity

Billerica Police | MA Posted on by

DOJ_BPD CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE: Lawrence Marks, 35, of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, appeared in United States District Court today and was sentenced to 12 ½ years in prison after pleading guilty to transportation of a minor in interstate commerce for illegal sexual activity, announced U.S. Attorney Emily Gray Rice.

In November of 2014, the New Hampshire State Police were conducting an investigation into the possible sexual abuse of several children in Franklin, New Hampshire. The investigation led to Lawrence Marks of Tewksbury, Massachusetts whom several witnesses identified as a man seen frequently with one of the minor children. Marks subsequently confessed to taking the child from New Hampshire to Massachusetts on several occasions where he engaged in sexual activity with her.

Marks will be supervised by U.S. Probation for 5 years after his release from prison. He will be required to register as a sex offender in any state in which he lives or works.

The case was investigated by the New Hampshire State Police and the Franklin Police Department in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Billerica, Massachusetts, Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Helen Fitzgibbon.

In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

United States Attorney, Emily Gray Rice, District of New Hampshire
CONTACT: Dena Blanco (603) 230-2567

Pedestrian Accident Injures Two In Billerica Center

Billerica Police | MA Posted on by

BPD PatchBILLERICA — Chief Daniel Rosa reports a driver was cited after a motor vehicle incident that left two teenage girls with non life-threatening injuries after they were struck while walking across the roadway in a crosswalk.

Billerica Police and Fire responded to the area of 432 Boston Road at 3:50 p.m. Wednesday. Witnesses reported a dark gray Toyota Camry struck two 15-year-old girls before the driver fled the scene.

The victims, who are Billerica High School students, were transported to Lowell General Hospital for treatment. Their injuries are not considered life-threatening.

Around 5:30 p.m., a woman came to the Billerica Police Department admitting that she had been involved in the incident. She was cooperative and provided a statement to police.

As a result, the driver, a 35-year-old Billerica woman was cited fro two counts of Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident with Personal Injury and Failure to Yield to a Pedestrian in a Crosswalk. She will be summonsed to Lowell District Court at a later date.

The vehicle was recovered at the driver’s residence and towed to the Billerica Police Department for processing.

The incident remains under investigation by the Billerica Police Department.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

BPD Investigating Bank Robbery

Billerica Police | MA Posted on by

BPD PatchBILLERICA — Chief Daniel Rosa reports that the Billerica Police Department is investigating a bank robbery that occurred Tuesday morning.

Officers responded to the Enterprise Bank on Boston Road at 11:28 a.m. for a report of an armed bank robbery. Upon arrival, officers met with employees who described a black male suspect who entered the bank, wearing dark clothing, a hooded sweatshirt, a mask covering his face, and gloves.

The suspect displayed what appeared to be a handgun, demanded cash from the teller, and fled in an unknown direction of travel with an undetermined amount of cash after spending less than two minutes inside the branch.

The robbery appears similar in style and method to bank robberies in other communities that are currently under investigation by police and the FBI Bank Robbery Task Force, which is also assisting Billerica detectives on this case.suspect

Anyone with any information on the robbery is asked to call the Billerica Police Department at (978) 667-1212.