Annual CPU Unit Sleigh Toy Deliveries
Once again this year the Stoneham Police Community Policing Unit(CPU) was out delivering toys on Christmas Eve Day (with some help from Santa!).
(Special thanks to: Daffy DJ's and Chris Ponzo, Brianna and Catrina Johnston,Jennifer Aguiar, Joseph Rotondi, Brooke Cavarretta , Mikey Surette, Courtney Ponzo, SPD Safety Officer Joseph Ponzo, and Santa (Dispatcher Brian Johnston) )
Ponzo: Theft prevention tips for businesses
By Safety Officer Joseph Ponzo/Safety First
Thu Jan 07, 2010, 11:23 AM EST
Stoneham - Theft is a broad crime category defined as “the taking of property without force or fear.” Theft in jewelry stores and other retail establishments includes crimes such as distraction and sneak theft, grab-and-runs, smash and grabs, switches, etc. There are many safety tips that may prevent jewelry store and retail store thefts.
Some of these tips include only waiting on one customer at a time — never turning your back on a customer, never leaving a customer alone with merchandise, never leaving the showroom unattended, even “just for a minute.” Show only one item at a time and if a second item is requested, show it on your own wrist or finger.
When showing high-end goods to unfamiliar customers, tell them that your insurance wants you to ask for an ID before displaying the items. Keep the keys to the showcases on your person, never on a hook or shelf in plain view. Keep the keys on a wrist or other holder so that it is less likely for you to put them down and forget them.
After a customer has handled an item, re-examine it to make sure it is the same item before returning it to the showcase. Do not allow a customer to return an item to a tray. The most difficult showcases for a thief to get into are the cases in which the back flips up. It is easier for thieves to reach into cases that slide open from either side. Do not let non-employees into work areas, your safe area, your restroom or behind your showcases. This can be a trick to gain access to your merchandise or to your premises. These are just a few tips to keep your property and employees safe from robbery and other crimes.
Remember — Safety first!
Joseph Ponzo is the safety officer for the Stoneham Police.
Needles found around Stoneham ‘a serious cause for concern’
Wed Oct 21, 2009
(Courtesy "Stoneham Sun)
Stoneham - Several hypodermic needles were found in various Stoneham parks and fields during a week-long period in early October, prompting Chief Richard Bongiorno of the Stoneham Police Department to label the matter as a “serious cause for concern.” Increasing police log reports of abandoned syringes found around town in the last several months prompted the Sun to investigate.
“If a youngster fell or pricked themselves on one of these syringes, it could be devastating,” said Bongiorno, after needles were found in areas including Broadway Field, where many young children play. “These are used needles; there are body fluids and remnants of residual fluids in those needles.”
Bongiorno stressed that, under no circumstances, should anyone ever touch the needles – even if they appear unused. Instead, immediately contact the Stoneham Police Department, as the staff is properly trained to safely dispose of the hazardous materials within a sharps container. Discarded needles have become more prevalent throughout Massachusetts after a 2006 law made the sale of hypodermic needles legal without prescription. The legislation was passed as a means to battle the spread of AIDS and other blood-borne infections among drug users who reused the needles.
Joseph Ponzo, the Stoneham Police safety officer, immediately connected the increase of discarded hypodermic needles with the changed laws. He added that, Stoneham, like any other town, is not immune to drug use.
“The legislation made them legal to try to prevent the spread of things like AIDS because they were legal and harder to get, so people we’re sharing the needles,” said Ponzo. “With that in mind, they’re now legal and there are more of them on the street. That’s why I attribute the spike to the recent law.”
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Police increase their presence
To offset the increase, the Stoneham Police has undertaken a few initiatives, including a more visible police presence where syringes were discovered.
“We’ve been doing quite a bit of selective enforcement in the areas where these syringes were found, particularly in the dark hours,” said Bongiorno. “Over the past week, we’ve seen a turnaround. We haven’t recovered any needles since we applied some additional patrol pressure in the areas where we were finding them in the past.”
As an additional precautionary measure, the Stoneham Police Department is also reaching out to local grammar schools in order to better educate the students on the dangers of discarded syringes. The presentations, which are still being logistically coordinated, will be about 10-15 minutes long and encompass age-appropriate pictures and safety instruction. Safety Officer Ponzo will team with Officer Thomas Day and Juvenile Detective Chris Dalis, both of the Stoneham Police.
Ponzo, in particular, has been active in raising awareness, having recently written an article on the topic that appeared in the Sun. As he explained, the youth are most at-risk.
“We’ve found many needles recently; capped, uncapped, used and unused,” said Ponzo. “They are being found where kids play and where kids walk. Because of that, we decided to do some type of public safety awareness targeting the kids. With Officer Day and Juvenile Detective Dalis, we will be visiting the schools to make the kids aware of what they look like and the dangers behind them.”
Because the Stoneham Police Department did not test the discovered needles’ content, it is possible that the syringes were not used for drugs. However, Ponzo believes they are most likely connected to drug usage.
“I would doubt very much that there is one person responsible for this,” he said. “If I had to say, and I’m just speculating, it’s a group of individuals, most likely juveniles to early adults, ranging in age from 20-35. We’re following up a couple of leads in the areas where the needles were discovered, but we haven’t made any arrests as of yet.”
10/06/2009
*Press Release*
Stoneham Police Warn of GPS Thefts
The Stoneham Police Department would like to remind residents of the importance of locking their vehicle and removing valuables when parking overnight. Since January 2009, there has been 83 reported vehicle breaks with 30 GPS units reported stolen. The latest groups of vehicle breaks occurred on September 29th, where three GPS units were stolen from vehicles the Pond Street area.
Throughout the year, majority of GPS thefts have occurred overnight and from unlocked vehicles. Other items frequently stolen include laptop computers, i-Pods, and loose change. Vehicle owners are encouraged to remove their valuables and power cords when not in use. GPS units that adhere to the windshield often leave suction cup marks behind when removed. By not cleaning these marks or removing power cords, criminals may believe that a GPS or electronic device may be hidden within the vehicle and break-in searching for the device.
Residents are encouraged to call 9-1-1 immediately should they observe any suspicious activity.
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