Cohasset Police Department Arrests Man Following Standoff

COHASSET – Chief William Quigley reports that the Cohasset Police Department, with the assistance of its local and regional law enforcement partners, arrested a Cohasset man after a lengthy standoff Sunday.

BRIEN BUCKLEY, AGE 35, of COHASSET, is charged with:

  • Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon, to Wit a Chainsaw
  • Damage to Property, three counts
  • Child Endangerment, three counts
  • Resisting Arrest
  • Driving to Endanger
  • Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle
  • Disorderly Conduct
  • Disturbing the Peace
  • Wanton Destruction of a Tree

On Sunday, Dec. 18, at about 2:30 p.m., Cohasset Police Officers received a call from the civilian desk attendant at police headquarters reporting that a male, later determined to be BUCKLEY, had driven over the lawn of the police station, hit a tree on the property, exited his pickup truck, and then entered the lobby revving a gas-powered chain saw. BUCKLEY began to damage the lobby of the station with the saw and was chopping at the security door, attempting to gain entry into a restricted area where the attendant was.

After causing damage to the security door and mail packages, BUCKLEY fled the police station in the truck he arrived in. He was tracked by officers to his home on Cushing Road. A perimeter was established, and additional units were dispatched to the area. BUCKLEY began yelling at officers from inside the home and dangled two small children in front of a second-story window. BUCKLEY refused to come out of the home. A tactical alert was called, which drew police officers in from surrounding towns, including Hingham, Hull, Scituate, and Norwell Police.

De-escalation attempts failed. The regional SWAT team and hostage negotiators from the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council (METRO-LEC) were called to the scene.

After several hours of negotiations, SWAT supervisors sought permission from Cohasset command staff to enter the home due to the increasingly clear and present danger to the children. BUCKLEY was taken into custody after resisting arrest, with officers using a Taser.

The two children were reunited with family members at the scene.

BUCKLEY was transported by ambulance under police supervision to an area hospital, then returned to Cohasset police headquarters for booking.

BUCKLEY is being held without bail.  He is scheduled to be arraigned in Quincy District Court.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

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BRIEN BUCKLEY, AGE 35, of COHASSET (Cohasset Police Booking Photo)

 

Cohasset Police Department to Participate in ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ Campaign

COHASSET — Chief William Quigley is pleased to announce that the Cohasset Police Department has been awarded a grant to increase the number of impaired driving patrols during the holiday season as part of the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign.

As part of the Municipal Road Safety Program, the Baker-Polito Administration recently awarded over $5 million in road safety grant funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to local police departments for Fiscal Year 2023. Of this funding, the Cohasset Police Department was awarded $16,417.00.

The Cohasset Police Department will join other departments across the state and the Massachusetts State Police in the campaign. Police urge motorists who have been drinking or using marijuana or other drugs to plan ahead and designate a driver, use a ride-sharing service or take public transportation.

The campaign runs from Dec. 1 to Dec. 31. During that time, the Cohasset Police Department will have several officers on the lookout for impaired and reckless drivers on the roads. Everyone is reminded to never get behind the wheel if they have been drinking and to never get into a vehicle if the driver is impaired.

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately one-third of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers. On average, more than 10,000 people have died each year (2014 to 2018) in drunk-driving crashes.

For more information on the Office of Grants and Research’s Municipal Road Safety and impaired driving enforcement grant program, as well as the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, click here.

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Cohasset Police Seeking Public’s Assistance in Identifying Vehicle Involved in Hit-and-Run of Dog

Chief William Quigley reports that the Cohasset Police Department is actively seeking the public’s help in identifying a vehicle that was involved in a hit-and-run involving a dog.

On Monday, Nov. 21 at approximately 7:55 a.m., the Cohasset Police Department was dispatched to the intersection of Pond Street and Clay Spring Road for a report of a vehicle crash involving a dog.

The dog was pronounced dead at the scene. The vehicle involved fled the scene.

As of Tuesday morning, the operator has not yet come forward or been identified.

Cohasset Police are actively looking for a 2011-22 white Jeep Grand Cherokee with chrome trim that is believed to be the vehicle involved in this incident. The vehicle is believed to have damage to the right front end.

As part of the ongoing investigation, Cohasset Police obtained video surveillance from the area and wish to share that footage with the public, with the hope that someone might recognize the vehicle involved.

Anyone with information on this incident, or information on the vehicle involved, is asked to call the Cohasset Police Natural Resources Officer Josh Kimball at  781-383-1055 ext. 6125.

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Town of Cohasset and Cohasset Police Department Offer Halloween Safety Tips

COHASSET — Town Manager Christopher Senior and Police Chief William Quigley would like to share guidance and safety tips as Halloween approaches to help Cohasset residents and families celebrate safely this season. 

Halloween, which is celebrated yearly on Oct. 31, falls on a Monday this year. The official trick-or-treating hours for Cohasset will be from 4-8 p.m.

Costume Safety

Families are encouraged to be mindful of safety when choosing costumes. All props should be soft, and no part of the costume should impair vision or movement. Enjoy a safe and happy Halloween by following below guidelines from the FDA, Consumer Product Safety Commission, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

  • Wear costumes that say “flame resistant” on the label. If you make your costume, use flame-resistant fabrics such as polyester or nylon.
  • Costume accessories should be short, soft and flexible.
  • Wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls.
  • Wear bright, reflective costumes, add strips of reflective tape, or hold a flashlight while walking so you’ll be more visible. 
  • Wear makeup and hats rather than costume masks that can obscure your vision. Make sure the costumes aren’t so long that you’re in danger of tripping.
  • Test the makeup you plan to use in advance. Put a small amount on the arm of the person who will be wearing it. If a rash, redness, swelling, or other signs of irritation develop where the makeup was applied, that’s a sign of a possible allergy.
  • Vibrantly colored makeup is popular at Halloween. Check the FDA’s list of color additives to see if the colors are FDA-approved. If they aren’t approved for their intended use, don’t use them. This is especially important for colored makeup around the eyes.
  • Remove any makeup before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.
  • Don’t wear decorative (colored) contact lenses that appear to change how your eyes look due to the risk of eye injury, unless you have seen an eye care professional for a proper fitting and have been given instructions for how to use the lenses. 

Trick-or-Treating Safety

According to the National Safety Council, children are more than twice as likely to be struck by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. To help prevent such a tragedy, parents and trick-or-treaters are urged to consider these tips before heading out:

  • A responsible adult should accompany young children on neighborhood rounds.
  • If older children or teenagers are going out alone, plan and review a route that you feel is safe and acceptable for them to follow. 
  • Agree on a specific time older children and teenagers should return home.
  • Teach your children never to enter a stranger’s home or car.
  • Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends.
  • Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home.
  • Walk on sidewalks wherever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe and to prevent accidents or injury. Always look both ways before crossing the street, and use established crosswalks wherever possible. Walk, don’t run, across the street. 
  • Children and adults are reminded to put electronic devices down and keep their heads up to stay alert and avoid distracted walking.

Driving Safety

Each year, Halloween is traditionally celebrated with trick-or-treating and parties — and candy and drinks. Unfortunately, the night can include impaired drivers on the streets. Here are some tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to keep Halloween safe. 

  • Be alert for trick-or-treaters on Halloween. Slow down and continue to scan the road in areas where they are likely to be or where sight distances are limited.
  • On Halloween there will likely be more pedestrians on the roads and in places where they are not expected. Slower speeds save lives.
  • Stay alert for pedestrians who may come out from between parked cars or behind shrubbery. Stop and wait for them to pass.
  • Don’t look at your phone when you’re driving. Your attention needs to always be on the road.
  • If you see a potentially impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement.

The Town of Cohasset and the Cohasset Police Department wish the community a safe and happy Halloween!

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Cohasset Police Arrest and Charge Scituate Woman With Fourth OUI Following Crash

Chief William Quigley reports that the Cohasset Police Department arrested and charged a Scituate woman with her fourth OUI following a motor vehicle crash that took place early Sunday morning, Oct. 23.

LINDA BURLINGAME, AGE 62, of SCITUATE was charged with:

  • Operating Under the Influence of Liquor (Fourth Offense)
  • Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
  • Marked Lanes Violation

At approximately 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 23, Cohasset Police Sgt. Jeffrey Treanor and Officer Thomas Brown were dispatched to the area of the Border Street Bridge for a report of a motor vehicle crash. Upon arrival, officers observed an unoccupied, legally parked Audi SUV with rear-end damage and an occupied Honda sedan with heavy front-end damage parked and running a short distance away.

Officers approached the Honda sedan and made contact with the driver of the vehicle, who was identified as BURLINGAME.

BURLINGAME appeared confused, refused medical attention and attempted to start her car to drive away. Officers advised BURLINGAME to turn off her vehicle.

BURLINGAME was instructed to step out of the Honda, but displayed obvious signs of impairment.

Based on the officers’ observations and communication with BURLINGAME, she was then taken into custody at the scene and transported to the Cohasset Police Department for booking.

BURLINGAME was arraigned today in Quincy District Court. She was released with a location and alcohol monitoring bracelet. She is expected to return to court on Dec. 13 for a pre-trial conference.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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