April 2008

Monthly Archive

It is Prom Time… Please drive carfeully

Posted by admin on 30 Apr 2008 | Tagged as: general

Ten Safety Tips to Consider For the safe operation of Motor Vehicles

Teen Safety Awareness from MassHighway:

  1. Buckle up! In 2006, 44 teens were killed in passenger vehicles involved in motor vehicle crashes in Massachusetts. Almost two thirds of those killed were not buckled up.
  2. Limit the number of passengers in your car. Driving requires 100% of your attention. The law restricts whom you may drive with in the first 6 months of having a license because passengers often act as a distraction.
  3. Crashes can happen in a split second. A split second is the time it takes to change the radio station, turn to speak to a friend, text a message, etc.
  4. Avoid cell phone use while driving. Make phone calls before starting the car or after arriving at your destination. Try to limit your phone use to emergency purposes only.
  5. Take turns at low speeds. Turning onto side streets or into driveways at an appropriate and safe speed prevents rollovers, travel into opposing traffic lanes and injuries to bicyclists and pedestrians.
  6. Practice driving in bad weather with your parents/guardians before attempting to do it alone.
  7. Speeding is against the law and may lead to crashes, tickets, injuries, and even death. Your first speeding ticket will cost the amount of the ticket plus a $500 reinstatement fee, plus a 90 day loss of license that requires you to take a driver attitudinal training course.
  8. Alcohol and drugs greatly affect judgment and decrease reaction time. Massachusetts is a zero tolerance state, and a single conviction can affect you for the rest of your life.
  9. Always let someone know where you are going.
  10. Make sure you are aware of new laws. For example, it is against the law for those under 18 to drive between 12:30 AM and 5:00 AM unless accompanied by a legal guardian or a parent.

IMPORTANT!- Child Safety Seat Law Change

Posted by admin on 28 Apr 2008 | Tagged as: general

Under a new law approved April 11, 2008, children under age 8 must be secured in a child passenger restraint, unless they are 57″ in height. All children under age 13 must either be securely seat belted or in a child passenger restraint. This is a primary violation (operators may be stopped for this  violation without another reason.) 

Under the old law children over 5 or less than 40 lbs had to secured in the child passenger restraint.

Ptl. Kurt Carpenter is available by appointment to ensure the child safety seats are properly installed.

Brush Fire on Turkey Hill…..

Posted by admin on 26 Apr 2008 | Tagged as: general

On April 26, 2008 at approximately 1:00 PM the Granby Police Department was notified of a large brush fire on Carver Street near the Belchertown town line.  Granby Fire personnel responded to the incident.  Once on scene, Granby Fire authorities summoned assistance from several surrounding fire departments. Fire department personnel and equipment from Belchertown, South Hadley District 2, Bondsville, Ludlow, Hadley, Amherst and the Department of Conservation and Recreation districts 10 and 11 responded to assist in fighting the fire.  The Massachusetts State Police air wing also assisted in fighting the fire by dropping water from the air.   Chicopee Fire personnel responded and provided station coverage. Fire personnel from South Hadley Fire District 1 responded to provide ambulance coverage.  Police closed a section of Carver Street while the fire was being dealt with.   

 

It was estimated that as of 6:00 PM that approximately 30 acres had burned. Fire authorities were still fighting the fire.

 

Granby Police request that residents and other commuters use alternate routes of travel to avoid the area until the incident is resolved.  

Expanded hours for Firearms permits

Posted by admin on 23 Apr 2008 | Tagged as: general

Firearms permits can now be processed  Sunday through Thursday nights from 5 PM until 10 PM, as well as on Tuesdays  and Thursdays from 8 AM to 3 PM.  We suggest you call the station in advance (467-9222) to ensure that there is someone available to process your permit. Permits (new issues and renewals) cost $100. (the fee is set by the State), and they are good for 6 years. We accept checks only made out to the Town of Granby.Permits for mace only cost $25. Renewals for persons over age 70 are FREE.  Anyone who did not have a permit prior to 1998 MUST take an approved firearms safety class prior to applying. . We suggest you come in approximately one month before the expiration date. Permits are good for 90 days after their expiration date. The permit process takes approximately 1/2 hour. All firearms which are not under the direct control of a properly licensed person MUST be equipped with a trigger lock or be ina locked container. FREE TRIGGER LOCKS are available at the Police Station.

Crime Watch…

Posted by admin on 16 Apr 2008 | Tagged as: general

 

 

 

The recent arrests of two suspects for breaking and entering, malicious destruction and related charges, illustrates how important it is for residents to notify the Department of any suspicious vehicles or activity. In this case an alert resident saw a suspicious vehicle at 2:30 AM, notified the department and gave a description. Responding officers located the vehicle and determined that the individuals inside had been involved in a three Town crime spree in which several houses under construction were broken into, property was damaged, and mail was stolen.  They were subsequently arrested and all of the stolen property was recovered.

 Ptl. Kevin O’Grady recently attended a seminar on establishing a NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME WATCH iProgram n our Community. He and Crime Prevention Officer Robert Ash  are available to assist residents and businesses with crime prevention tips. In the near future they will be working to establish a Neighborhood Crime Watch program in Town. Stay tuned…..

Please don’t feed the bears…

Posted by admin on 11 Apr 2008 | Tagged as: general

 

The recent highly publicized incident in Town where a resident shot a black bear with a bow and arrow  highlights the fact that human/bear encounters in Granby occur frequently. In that instance the Environmental Police were called to assist in locating the wounded animal. After investigation they determined that the shooting was not justified and charges were filed.

Incidents like this can be avoided. PLEASE take in your bird feeder. Cover your compost. Do not feed your pets outdoors.  Don’t leave garbage cans outside. If you encounter a bear- back away and seek shelter inside a building. If the animal does not leave call the Department and we will send an officer.

For information on Black Bears and what can be done to prevent them from being a nuisance , read this information from the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

James White Appointed as newest Full-time Police Officer

Posted by admin on 10 Apr 2008 | Tagged as: general

On April 7th, James White was named as the Town’s newest full-time officer, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Sergeant Bill Eskett. James has lived in Town most of his life, and graduated from Granby High School. He received an Associates Degree from Holyoke Community College and has a Bachelors Degree from Westfield State College. Both Degrees are in Criminal Justice. He will be attending the next police academy held in this area. James and his wife Erica recently purchased a home here in Granby.