Cohasset Police Department to Seek Summons for Homeowner Under Social Host Law

Tom Zuppa News, Press Releases

Police Chief William Quigley reports the Cohasset Police Department will seek a summons for a local woman following a party in her home where underage drinking occurred.

A 55-YEAR-OLD WOMAN, FROM COHASSET, will be charged with:

  • Furnishing Alcohol to Persons Under 21
  • Keeping a Noisy and Disorderly House

Cohasset Police received a report at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday of a fight involving a number of people in the area of Atlantic Avenue. Upon initial investigation of the fight report, Cohasset Police Officers learned that a large party was being held at a home on Sheldon Road where alcohol was present.

During a subsequent investigation, Cohasset Police received information that the homeowner was aware of the party and that alcohol was present, and that attendees were under the legal drinking age.

State law makes it illegal for adults to furnish alcohol by serving it to those under the age of 21, or by permitting minors to consume alcohol on any property under the adult’s control. The law was passed following a 1996 incident in which a Marshfield teen drank at a Cohasset graduation party, then died in a car crash after leaving the party.

“Homeowners and parents have a duty to ensure that all minors in their care are safe. Any party where minors and alcohol are present has the potential for dangerous and tragic consequences,” Chief Quigley said. “The social host law is designed to hold those who provide alcohol to minors accountable.”

The investigation is active and ongoing.

The homeowner will summonsed to Quincy District Court at a later date.

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

Cohasset Police One of Six Massachusetts Departments to Join National ABLE Project

jgprstaff News, Press Releases

COHASSET — Chief William Quigley is pleased to announce that the Cohasset Police Department has been accepted into the Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) Project, Georgetown University Law Center’s national training and support initiative for U.S. law enforcement agencies committed to building a culture of peer intervention that prevents harm.

By demonstrating a firm commitment to transformational reform with support from local community groups and elected leaders, Cohasset Police will join a select group of more than 115 other law enforcement agencies and statewide and regional training academies from across the country and Canada.

Backed by prominent civil rights and law enforcement leaders, the evidence-based, field-tested ABLE Project was developed by Georgetown Law’s Innovative Policing Program in collaboration with global law firm Sheppard Mullin LLP to provide practical active bystandership strategies and tactics to law enforcement officers to prevent misconduct, reduce mistakes, and promote health and wellness.

ABLE gives officers the tools they need to overcome the innate and powerful inhibitors all individuals face when called upon to intervene in actions taken by their peers.

“Being accepted into the ABLE Project reflects the Cohasset Police Department’s dedication to growth and accountability,” Chief Quigley said. “We are proud to be joining such an impressive list of departments nationwide in this very important training initiative. Participation in the ABLE project will be key for us as we move the department forward with meaningful police reform.”

The department’s Executive Officer, Lieutenant Gregory Lennon, is already a certified trainer through the program and will train the entire CPD staff over the next few months.

Cohasset Police are one of only six departments in Massachusetts to join the ABLE Project, along with Boston Police, Mass. State Police, Lawrence Police, Brookline Police and Northeastern University Police.

Those backing the Cohasset Police Department’s application to join the program included the Town of Cohasset’s Diversity Committee and Social Service League, as well as Town Manager Christopher Senior, who all wrote letters of support.

In their letter, the Social Service League of Cohasset commented on the CPD’s dedication to ethical and fair treatment of Cohasset’s residents, and how the department is “actively engaged in the community and in programs supported by the SSL, such as Safe Harbor Cohasset Substance Use Prevention Coalition, Cohasset Senior Café, and dry tailgating at Cohasset High School games, just to name a few.”

The Diversity Committee noted that “the Cohasset Police Department, under Chief Quigley’s leadership, is a bright spot in the community in these challenging times,” adding, “Cohasset is home to a progressive and proactive police department that demonstrates a commitment to a culture of respect and inclusion.”

The ABLE Project is guided by a Board of Advisors comprised of civil rights, social justice, and law enforcement leaders, including Commissioner Michael Harrison of the Baltimore Police Department; Commissioner Danielle Outlaw of the Philadelphia Police Department; Dr. Ervin Staub, professor emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the founder of the Psychology of Peace and Justice Program; and an impressive collection of other police leaders, rank and file officers, and social justice leaders.

“The ABLE Project seeks to ensure every police officer in the United States has the opportunity to receive meaningful, effective active bystandership training, and to help agencies transform their approach to policing by building a culture that supports and sustains successful peer intervention to prevent harm,” said Professor Christy Lopez, co-director of Georgetown Law’s Innovative Policing Program, which runs ABLE.

Chair of the ABLE Project Board of Advisors, Sheppard Mullin partner Jonathan Aronie, added, “Intervening in another’s action is harder than it looks after the fact, but it’s a skill we all can learn.  And, frankly, it’s a skill we all need – police and non-police.  ABLE teaches that skill.”

For more information about the ABLE Project, visit the program’s website.

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Cohasset Police Investigating Serious Crash at Intersection of Hull Street and Jerusalem Road

Chief William Quigley News

COHASSET — The Cohasset Police and Fire Departments responded to a serious, single-vehicle crash on Saturday, May 1 that left a woman with life-threatening injuries.

On Saturday at 4:20 p.m., police received numerous 911 calls reporting a single vehicle crash at the intersection of Hull Street and Jerusalem Road. The callers reported that a Mercedes Benz car took the intersection, known as West Corner, at a high rate of speed, struck a stone wall and burst into flames.

Police officers arrived within minutes to find the 2008 Mercedes, model undetermined, to be burning with the adult female driver trapped inside. The driver was removed from the burning car by witnesses and neighbors. She was treated by paramedics and transported by ambulance to a Boston hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries.

The driver was identified as a 65-year-old Cohasset woman. Her name is not being released at this time.

The Hingham Fire Department also responded to the scene to assist Cohasset Fire.

The car fire was extinguished by the Cohasset and Hingham Fire Departments with assistance from police officers on scene.

The crash is under investigation by the Cohasset Police Department. An initial on-scene investigation determined that speed and alcohol use were likely contributing factors in the crash.

The vehicle was considered a total loss and the stone wall sustained minor damage.

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Cohasset Police Charge Man who Fled Traffic Stop Before Crashing

News, Press Releases
Cohasset Police arrested a man who crashed his vehicle in front of a Scituate home after fleeing an attempted traffic stop Saturday night. (Courtesy Photo Cohasset Police Department)

COHASSET — Chief William Quigley reports that the Cohasset Police Department charged a man who fled a traffic stop and crashed his vehicle in the front yard of a home in Scituate last night. 

DION SMITH, AGE 31, OF DORCHESTER, is charged with:

  • Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
  • Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License for OUI
  • Failure to Stop for a Police Officer
  • Speeding
  • Marked Lanes Violation

At about 9:50 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 2, Cohasset Police received a 911 call reporting an erratic driver on North Main Street traveling toward the Scituate town line.

Soon after the call, an officer observed the vehicle driving on the wrong side of the road and driving erratically and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The driver, later identified as SMITH, fled and continued south on Main Street into Scituate, where he crashed into a tree and came to a stop in a front yard on Country Way.

Cohasset Police provided first aid to the driver until Scituate Fire Department paramedics arrived. SMITH was transported by the Scituate Fire Department to South Shore Hospital with injuries that are serious but not life threatening.

The case remains under investigation and additional charges may be forthcoming.

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

 

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Cohasset Police Department Responds to Large Gathering in Violation of Pandemic Protocols 

jgprstaff News, Press Releases

 Chief William Quigley reports that the Cohasset Police Department responded to a large gathering at a private residence last night, at which a number of minors were found to be in violation of state gathering restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Friday, Nov. 13 at approximately 11 p.m., Cohasset Police responded to a home on Jerusalem Road for numerous reports of a large gathering.

Upon arrival, officers observed a gathering of approximately 20 underage youths who were allegedly disregarding state-mandated social distancing and face covering protocols inside an enclosed small structure on the property. Open containers were found throughout the structure as well.

While officers were at the scene, several of the occupants began to flee into a nearby wooded area. Police attempted to identify those who remained present and contacted each of the juvenile’s parents to make arrangements to pick up their children.

Police also located two adults inside the main home and identified them as the homeowners.

Cohasset Police, in conjunction with the Cohasset Board of Health, issued the homeowners a $500 citation for violation of Gov. Charlie Baker’s COVID-19 Order #54, exceeding the 10-person limit regarding indoor gatherings.

The Cohasset School District has also been notified and is taking immediate steps to protect students and staff from possible exposure to COVID-19.

“Our department’s top priority is to keep our residents safe,” Chief Quigly said. “We can not stress enough the importance of residents, especially our youths, adhering to public health guidance. All youths should be practicing social distancing and not attending any large gatherings.”

 

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