The week of May 11th, 2014 is National Police Week and Thursday, May 15th, 2014 is Peace Officers Memorial Day. This day was created and signed into law on October 1, 1962 by President John F. Kennedy to pay tribute to Law Enforcement Officers killed in the line of duty. A brief Memorial Ceremony, honoring Billerica Officers killed in the line of duty, will be held at 9:00 AM on Thursday, May 15th, at the Billerica Public Safety Memorial site in front of Town Hall. All are invited.
WALTHAM, MA – Once again National Grid customers in New England are being targeted by utility bill scammers demanding immediate payment for electric bill balances, which customers might not even owe. The fraudulent callers are claiming to be from National Grid and threatening customers with immediate service shut-off unless they provide credit card or bank account information that can be used to access the accounts.
There have been numerous reports of these types of scams in several states over the past year and National Grid continues to advise customers to be wary of any caller who threatens service immediate service termination unless an immediate payment is made.
National Grid does contact customers with past due balances by phone to offer payment options and to remind them that service shutoff is a possibility if they fail to pay their past due balance. If customers wish, they can arrange for a payment by check, credit card or debit card if they speak directly to a customer service representative. Payment can also be made by credit card or debit card without a representative’s assistance.
Customers should verify they are speaking with a National Grid representative. One way to do this is to commit to memory the last five digits of their National Grid account number to memory and ask the caller to provide those numbers. If the caller can’t provide the information, if you doubt the caller is a National Grid representative, or if have any questions about your balance, hang up immediately and call our customer contact center at 800-322-3223.
Cops For Kids With Cancer donated $5000 to the family of a Billerica boy who is battling health problems related to cancer. Douglas Davis (Superman) was on hand today to accept the check with his family.
In the last 5 years, including hospital donations, Cops For Kids With Cancer has given to over 200 families in need, totaling more than $1,000,000 in and around New England. www.copsforkidswithcancer.org
Billerica – On February 4, 2014, the Billerica Police took a report of a locker room theft at the Hallenborg Ice Pavilion in Billerica. The complainants reported they had been on the ice playing hockey after using a locker room to change into their equipment. Upon returning to the locker room the victims discovered that and unknown suspect had gone through a number of players personal belongings. Numerous items of value were taken including cash and charge cards. After opening an investigation into the incident, Billerica Detective Andrew Devito discovered that similar incidents had also occurred in Salem NH at the Ice Center and in Tyngsboro, MA at the Skate 3 Ice Rink. Within a short time after connecting these crimes, probable cause was developed that resulted in formal charges being filed against Timothy Brace, 36, of Dracut, MA. Brace is currently in custody on unrelated charges and is being held at the Essex County House of Correction in Middleton, MA. Brace now faces charges in Lowell District Court related to the Billerica incident, including Larceny from a Building, Receiving a Stolen Credit Card and Attempt to Commit a Crime.
Any additional questions should be directed to Deputy Chief Roy Frost, 978-667-1212 x151
After 2 1/2 years serving the residents of Billerica and the region, our trusty Bloodhound Rosie will be making a difficult career move and has accepted a position with the Union County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit in Pennsylvania.
In November of 2011 “Rosie” was donated to BPD by the New Hampshire State police. NHSP happened to have a two year old female bloodhound that they offered to BPD after her predecessor, Diesel, passed away . Rosie had been donated to NHSP but they did not have a handler suited for her. BPD gladly accepted Rosie as our new Bloodhound.
Because her handler, John Harring, was recently promoted to Sergeant he can no longer continue his K9 duties. During her time here she has proven herself as an excellent tracker and she will be missed by the entire region. It is with mixed emotion that we say goodbye to Rosie but we know she will continue her effective mission with Union County.
BPD will continue our K9 involvement with Officer Tsoukalas and K9 Yak.
Billerica – On Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at approximately 5:01 PM Billerica Police were dispatched to the Market Basket, #480 Boston Road, Billerica for a suspicious package located outside the main doors of the building. The package appeared to resemble a pressure cooker device and was secreted inside a paper bag. After determining the package had no legitimate purpose, and out of an abundance of caution, a decision was made to evacuate the Market Basket and contact the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad. Officers immediately set up a safe zone around the area of Market Basket. At approximately 5:51 PM the MSP Bomb Squad arrived and at 6:27 PM they determined the item was a “Crock-Pot” and did not pose a threat. The facility was immediately cleared and operations returned to normal. The Billerica Police are currently investigating the purpose for the device being placed in front of the store.
Any additional questions on this matter can be directed to Deputy Chief Roy Frost at 978-490-5030
