Cohasset Police Department Investigating Hit and Run on King Street

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COHASSET — Police Chief William Quigley reports that the Cohasset Police Department responded to a hit and run over the weekend and are seeking information on the individual who left the scene.

On Sunday, Aug. 15, Cohasset Police responded to the Dunkin’ location on King Street (Route 3A) for a report of a motor vehicle crash. Upon arrival, officers located a black Ford Focus with damage to the rear bumper area.

The driver of the vehicle stated she was turning onto King Street from Avalon Drive when a red SUV pulling out of the Dunkin’ parking lot collided with her driver’s side rear end area. The driver of the SUV then pulled over, checked her vehicle for damage, and drove away southbound on King Street.

Cohasset Police reviewed surveillance footage from the Dunkin’ drive-thru, and noticed a red SUV with a driver matching the description given by the driver of the Ford. Employees of the store were also interviewed.

This incident is under investigation and Cohasset Police are actively working to identify the subject who left the scene.

Anyone with information on the incident should contact Cohasset Police Detectives at 781-383-1055 ext. 6107 or email Mlopes@cohassetpolice.com.

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Cohasset Police Charge Wakefield Man With Assault On A Minor Following Incident on Border Street Bridge

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COHASSET — Chief William Quigley reports that the Cohasset Police Department arrested and charged a man following an incident this weekend on the Border Street Bridge. 

WAYNE AIKENS, AGE 57, OF WAKEFIELD, is charged with:

  • Indecent Assault and Battery on a Child Under 14
  • Reckless Endangerment of a Child
  • Simple Assault and Battery (three counts)

On Friday, Aug. 13 at approximately 4:30 p.m., Cohasset Police were dispatched to the Border Street Bridge for a report of an intoxicated man harassing minors on the bridge.

Upon arrival, police located a group of teenagers who were pointing in the direction of a man, later identified as AIKENS, stating that he had allegedly pushed a female teenager off the bridge and into the water below.

Police spoke to the reporting party, a 23-year-old Cohasset man, who said he witnessed AIKENS harassing a teenage male before becoming agitated and aggressive. Police then spoke to the teenage male, who said AIKENS approached a group of teenagers on the bridge, encouraging them to jump off the bridge into the water. When one indicated she did not wish to jump, AIKENS allegedly placed his hands around her waist and push her twice. The second push caused the teen to fall approximately 10-15 feet into the water below.

The teenage male also stated that that AIKENS punched him in the arm when he confronted him.

The teenager who fell into the water did not report any injuries as a result of the fall and declined medical treatment at the scene.

AIKENS was placed under arrest and transported to the Cohasset Police headquarters without incident. He was arraigned this morning in Quincy District Court.

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

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Cohasset Police and Fire Departments Share Hot Weather Safety Tips

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COHASSET — With temperatures expected to be in the 90s in the coming days, Police Chief William Quigley and Fire Chief Robert Silvia would like to provide Cohasset residents with important hot weather safety tips.

Temperatures are currently forecast to be in the lower-mid 90s in Massachusetts beginning today and lasting through Friday. High temperatures, along with high humidity levels, are expected to result in high heat indexes, which is the “feels like” temperature, over the next few days.

On Wednesday, Aug. 11, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. a heat advisory is in effect with heat index values expected to reach up to 100 degrees. Then, from Thursday, Aug. 12 at 11 a.m. until Friday, Aug. 13 at 8 p.m., an excessive heat watch is in effect with dangerously hot conditions and heat index values between 105 and 109 degrees possible.

To prevent illness and injuries, officials recommend the following safety tips from the American Red Cross and National Safety Council:

Heat Safety Tips

  • Hot cars can be deadly. Never leave children or pets in your vehicle. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach over 100 degrees, even on a 70 degree day.
  • Drink plenty of fluids, like water, even if you do not feel thirsty, and avoid alcoholic beverages, drinks with caffeine and large amounts of sugar—these actually cause you to lose more body fluid.
  • Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.
  • If someone doesn’t have air conditioning, they should seek relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day in places like libraries, theaters, malls, etc.
  • Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays. Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out. 
  • Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day, which is typically around 3 p.m.
  • Postpone outdoor games and activities if the temperature is too hot.
  • Avoid extreme temperature changes.
  • Take frequent breaks if working outdoors.
  • Check on animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat. Make sure they have plenty of cool water.
  • Click here to learn to recognize and treat heat illnesses.


Additional Tips for Parents

  • Limit playtime at peak sun exposure time and familiarize yourself with the signs of heat illnesses.
  • Avoid burns. If playground equipment is hot to the touch, it is too hot for your child’s bare skin.


To learn more about summer safety, visit the National Safety Council’s summer safety website here.

 

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Cohasset Police and Fire Departments Provide Severe Weather Safety Tips Ahead of Tropical Storm Elsa

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COHASSET — Police Chief William Quigley and Fire Chief Robert Silvia, on behalf of the Cohasset Police and Fire Departments, are recommending that residents take the necessary safety precautions to prepare themselves for potentially serious storm impacts as Tropical Storm Elsa is forecast to impact New England late tonight into Friday.

Tropical Storm Elsa is expected to pass near/over southeast New England on Friday as a tropical storm. A Tropical Storm Warning is currently in effect for Norfolk County, indicating that tropical storm-force winds are expected within this area during the next 36 hours. Damaging winds and power outages are possible where Tropical Storm Warnings are issued. The peak wind forecast for Cohasset is 10-20 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

A Flash Flood Watch is also currently in effect across much of southeast New England due to the potential for flash flooding caused by heavy rainfall. Cohasset is expecting upward of 3 inches of rain.

Dangerous marine conditions are also expected across coastal waters with potential for rough surf and rip currents along the coasts of Massachusetts. These expected rip currents may linger into Saturday. 

Residents are reminded that the forecast can change quickly and at any point and they should monitor the local forecast throughout the day. Stay informed by receiving alerts, warnings, and public safety information before, during and after emergencies.

The Cohasset Police and Fire Departments suggest that all residents follow tips provided by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) in the event of flooding:

  • Don’t attempt to drive through large puddles or on flooded roads, which could threaten your safety. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away.
  • If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground. Flash floods are the number one cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S.
  • If floodwaters rise around your car and the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water.
  • Avoid camping or parking along streams, rivers and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.

MEMA recommends purchasing a generator to maintain electricity despite an outage. Generators should always be kept outside since they emit deadly carbon monoxide fumes that can quickly accumulate if indoors.

Additional safety precautions residents should follow include:

  • Not going out during a hurricane or tropical storm, if possible.
  • Checking flashlights and portable radios to confirm they’re working.
  • Fully charging your cell phone, laptop and any other devices before the storm.
  • If you own a car, making sure its gas tank is at least half full in the event you need to travel. Purchase a car phone charger so that you can charge your device if you lose power at your home.
  • Ensuring that you have an emergency kit that has basic medicine and bandages.
    • Include disinfectants, hand sanitizer and other cleaning supplies that you may need in an emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Setting your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings (remember to reset them back to normal once power is restored). During an outage, minimize the number of times you open the refrigerator or freezer door.
  • Preparing your home by securing or bringing in outdoor objects (patio furniture, children’s toys, trash cans, etc.) that could be swept away or damaged during strong winds or flooding.
  • Being prepared by packing a bag with important items in case you need to evacuate. Don’t forget to include needed medications and any valuable personal belongings.
  • Being a good neighbor. Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone, those with medical conditions and those who may need additional assistance.

After a storm passes through the area, residents should remain cautious. Heavy rain and strong winds can cause a multitude of problems like power outages, fallen debris and floods that often block roads and emergency vehicles, prolonging damage.

  • Call 9-1-1 to report emergencies, including downed power lines and gas leaks.
  • Stay away from downed utility wires. Always assume a downed power line is live.
  • If your power is out, follow MEMA’s power outage safety tips. Report power outages to your utility company. Do not call 9-1-1 to report an outage or to ask about power restoration.

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Cohasset Police and Fire Departments Remind Residents that Fireworks are Illegal Statewide

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COHASSET —  With the Fourth of July holiday fast approaching, Police Chief William Quigley and Fire Chief Robert Silvia, on behalf of the Cohasset Police and Fire Departments, would like to remind residents that the recreational use of fireworks in Massachusetts is illegal.

According to the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal, fires started by fireworks increased by 180% in 2020 and complaints to local police departments increased significantly as well. In the past decade (2011-2020), there have been 941 major fire and explosion incidents involving illegal fireworks reported to the Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System (MFIRS). The incidents caused 12 civilian injuries, 42 fire service injuries, and an estimated dollar loss of $2.1 million, which is high considering most fireworks fires are outdoor brush fires.

This year, state and local law enforcement agencies will be ramping up their efforts to stop illegal firework use and sales in Massachusetts.

The possession, use and sale of fireworks without a professional license is against the law in Massachusetts, and punishable by confiscation, fine or imprisonment. Fines range from $100 to $1,000, and some violations could carry a one-year prison sentence.

In order to cut down on residents purchasing fireworks in other states and transporting them back to Massachusetts, members of the State Police will begin targeted patrols along state lines to enforce fireworks laws. Residents are also reminded never to purchase fireworks by mail — the government cannot prohibit the advertising and sale of fireworks by mail, but police do confiscate illegal shipments of fireworks. Many consumers attempting to circumvent the law have lost both their money and their fireworks.

“It is imperative that adults use sound judgement and make smart decisions by not purchasing or using illegal fireworks this Fourth of July,” Chief Silvia said. “Not only for their safety, but to set a good example for children and to keep their families safe.”

Due to fires and explosions involving illegal fireworks and injuries resulting from these incidents and more, the Fourth of July is usually a busy time for firefighters, as they are supervising professional fireworks shows and responding to all types of fires and medical emergencies.

“Fireworks displays can be a great way to celebrate the Fourth of July, but firefighters, police officers and medical professionals ask residents to please leave the fireworks to the professionals and not try to put on their own backyard displays this year,” Chief Quigley said.

Residents are encouraged to report any misuse of fireworks they notice in their community to the Cohasset Police Department at 781-383-1212. In case of a firework-related or other emergency, always dial 911.

The Cohasset Police and Fire Departments wish everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July!

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