Several days ago, Massachusetts state troopers along with federal agents and local police officers developed intelligence that a large quantity of cocaine was en route from the Dominican Republic, through Florida, to Lawrence, Mass. The intelligence indicated that the cocaine was secreted between the walls of cardboard boxes that contained various types of produce. On […]
By Tom Duggan, May, 2014 Massachusetts State Auditor Suzanne Bump says, “It’s not enough” that Governor Deval Patrick is replacing the state’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) Commissioner, telling a crowd of women in North Andover last month that replacing the head of DCF would do little to protect children while the policies and […]
Chief Says Weekend Patrol Shifts to be Dedicated to Noise Complaints By: Tom Duggan and Jon Bergeron – May 24, 2014 Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, flanked by Police Chief Fitzpatrick and more than a dozen Lawrence Police Officers stood on the steps of the Lawrence Police Department Saturday and announced a new crackdown on noise […]
May 23, 2014|LAWRENCE, Mass. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), in coordination with the Lawrence Police Department, seized approximately three tractor trailers worth of counterfeit items between two flea markets with a retail value of approximately $30 million. The seizure marks the largest in HSI Boston’s history. In addition to […]
From Eric Zahn, President Lawrence Firefighter’s Union LAWRENCE – In response to Mayor Rivera’s recent statement in the Eagle Tribune on Sunday April 26, 2014, the Lawrence Firefighters’ Union Local 146 would like to add the following information. A budgetary miscalculation done last year is the reason why our budget is coming up short. To […]
Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera has come into office with a great deal of good will from the public and the media. He has made some critical moves in his first few months to make Lawrence’s city government more efficient. We applaud that. But, Rivera recently cut fire protection in Lawrence, temporarily closing stations and shutting […]
THE SHIFT By: John MacDonald The shift began that fine summer’s day He arrived on time not a moments delay. Tactics on his brain and was considered the best Of all of the men who wore the same badge on their chest. He labored and trained with all their support Loving his friends as his family, their station, their fort. The […]
By: Justess Jacobson – April, 2014 Last month The Valley Patriot awarded Amesbury Police Officer Jason Kooken with The Valley Patriot, Officer Tom Duggan Sr. Law Enforcement Award. Officer Duggan’s granddaughter did the presentation to Officer Kooken. Every year, Jason Kooken bicycle rides his way down to Washington, DC to the National Law Enforcement Memorial […]
By: Christine Morabito – March 2014 Because of its proximity to Interstates 495, 95 and 93, the Merrimack Valley has been uniquely impacted by a shocking increase in heroin and prescription drug abuse. The drugs are reportedly entering Massachusetts by way of New York City and the Texas border. Making matters worse, the now inexpensive heroin […]
The Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) has concluded that State Attorney General Martha Coakley’s state campaign committee was not in compliance with the campaign finance laws when her U.S. Senate committee paid for campaign services that should have been paid by the state committee. Under Massachusetts law, federal committees are prohibited from providing […]
HAVERHILL – APRIL 18, 2014 Alert residents of the South Pleasant St. section of Bradford reported they observed unusual activity consistent with drug sales and usage in their neighborhood. Haverhill Narcotic Detectives conducted a four day surveillance resulting in the arrest of 11 people. The arrests included 3 men who pulled into a business parking […]
By: Jerry Robito – April, 2014 The position of Sheriff should not be held by a career politician. Instead, it should be held by a law enforcement professional who has worked in corrections. The Sheriff of Essex County has been an elected position since 1856, and there has never been an elected Sheriff that has […]
By: Phi Lahey – March, 2014 For those of you who don’t know what that stands for, it means “Not in My Backyard”. Lately there has been much media attention on heroin and addiction in general. I think people are starting to realize we are facing an epidemic that touches every city and town in […]
BREAKING…. LAWRENCE… By: Tom Duggan UPDATED 4/16/14 The Valley Patriot has learned Wednesday afternoon that Former Officer William Hale passed away Wednesday. Story Posted on 4/15/14 below An arrest warrant has been issued for former Lawrence Police Officer Billy Hale after he failed to appear in court today on the matter of his refusal to […]
LAWRENCE–METHUEN By: Tom Duggan and Justess Jacobson April 11m 2014 VIDEO GALLERY 1 VIDEO GALLERY 2 Lawrence and Methuen Police raced through the city early Friday afternoon, first in pursuit of a bank robbery suspect from Manchester NH who robbed People’s United Bank on Elm Street last Wednesday. The suspect handed the teller a […]