Billerica Police | MA

While it may be very common to look around in the winter time and see vehicles “warming up” it’s not necessary for your vehicle to warm up and in some cases, illegal in Massachusetts.

• Massachusetts law allows idling up to 5 minutes – This limit is in place to reduce incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning, wasted fuel, increased pollution and the theft of vehicles. There are exceptions for vehicles under repair, delivery and emergency vehicles and any vehicle that may require auxiliary power that requires the engine to be running.
• Wasted Fuel – Tests in Canada reveal that with a 5-minute warm-up, total fuel consumption increased by 7 to 14 percent. Idling a vehicle always returns 0 miles per gallon.
• Increased Emissions – Vehicles pollute the most when they are first started up and cold. Idling exacerbates this since the best and fastest way to warm up a vehicle is to drive it.

Does your car need to be warmed up?  You’ll want to check your owner’s manual for specifics but most modern vehicles do not need more than 30 seconds of warm up. Daily warm up costs you gas, money and pollutes the air.

What about safety and comfort?  No one likes to get into a cold vehicle and sometimes you have to defrost a car covered in ice and snow. We certainly understand this but motorists should consider the necessity of allowing a vehicle to idle unnecessarily.

 BILLERICA — Chief Daniel Rosa reports that the Billerica Police Department, after an investigation, has filed criminal charges against a Billerica police officer in connection with an incident at the Billerica Elks Club.

A criminal complaint has been issued against JOHN HICKEY, AGE 47, a 19-year veteran of the police department on charges of assault and battery, and assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon (to wit: a shod foot). He has been on administrative leave since early this year, after the police department was made aware of an off-duty incident at the bar of the Billerica Elks Club in June 2013, in which HICKEY allegedly assaulted another man.

HICKEY is also facing administrative charges, and if he is found responsible, he may be terminated from the department.

“These allegations, if true, represent a violation of the public trust,” Chief Rosa said. “This alleged behavior is not what we expect from our public servants. We strive every day to earn the public’s trust, and this case was referred to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office when we learned of it.”

All further questions should be directed to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.

These charges are allegations only and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

###

Billerica – On Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at approximately 1:30 AM, Billerica PD received an emergency call for glass breaking at an apartment unit located at #28 Kenmar Drive, Billerica. Officers arrived to find an unsecured second floor apartment door that had obvious damage consistent with being forced open. After checking the apartment, officers determined that there were no occupants present. They further discovered extensive damage to the inside of the apartment, including multiple hammer sized holes through various mirrors, glass, a bathtub and a sink. There was also a large hole in the slider glass door that leads to the balcony of the apartment. Damage to the apartment was estimated to be in the area of approximately $8,000. While on scene, officer discovered a construction type hammer on the ground that appeared to have been used to commit the damage. After a short investigation, which included speaking to various residents in the densely populated apartment complex, officers identified a suspect as Stephanie Lyman, 43, of Billerica. Lyman was located a short distance from the scene and placed into custody. She was charged with Breaking and Entering the Nighttime with Intent to Commit a Felony as well as Malicious Destruction of Property over $250. She will be arraigned in Lowell District Court later today.

Any additional questions should be directed to Deputy Chief Roy Frost, 978-215-9653