News

  • Stoughton Police Department Offers Safety Tips Amid Extreme Heat

    ByCody Shepard

    As Massachusetts experiences extreme heat this week, the Stoughton Police Department encourages residents to take precautions to stay safe.

    Staying properly hydrated is one of the most important ways to prevent heat-related illness. Avoid sugary drinks, caffeine and alcohol, which can contribute to dehydration. Instead, drink plenty of water throughout the day. If you are sweating heavily, consider replenishing electrolytes with a sports drink.

    Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to heat-related illness, which can become life-threatening if left untreated. Check in on family members, friends and neighbors, especially older adults, young children and those with chronic medical conditions.

    If someone experiences symptoms such as confusion, slurred speech, a very high body temperature, loss of consciousness, hot and dry skin, or excessive sweating, call 911 immediately and stay with them until help arrives.

    During periods of extreme heat, fans alone may not be enough to prevent heat-related illness. Take cool showers or baths when possible and spend time in an air-conditioned location. If your home does not have air conditioning, consider visiting a cooling center, public library, shopping mall or another air-conditioned public building.

    Stay indoors when possible, and limit exercise and outdoor activities to the mornings and evenings. If you must be outside, be sure to hydrate, rest often in the shade, use sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat.

    For more ways to stay safe during the heat wave, visit the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency’s Extreme Heat Safety Tips website: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/extreme-heat-safety-tips

  • Stoughton Police Arrest Man, Seize Crack Cocaine After Executing Search Warrant

    ByCody Shepard

    JAMES J. FERNANDEZ, AGE 54, of STOUGHTON, was arrested by the Stoughton Police Department on drug charges on Tuesday, April 28. (Photo Courtesy Stoughton Police Department)

    STOUGHTON — The Stoughton Police Department arrested a Stoughton man and seized crack cocaine and other evidence after executing a search warrant Tuesday evening.

    JAMES J. FERNANDEZ, AGE 54, OF STOUGHTON, was arrested and charged with:

    Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class B Drug (Subsequent Offense)

    Distributing of a Class B Drug (Subsequent Offense)

    On Tuesday, April 28, based on an ongoing narcotics investigation, Stoughton Police obtained a search warrant for a residence at 38 Wellesley Road, which was executed at about 6:12 p.m.

    Four people were located inside. During the search, officers located approximately 11.9 grams of suspected crack cocaine that field-tested positive for cocaine base, multiple digital scales with white powder residue, plastic baggies commonly used for narcotics distribution and nearly $500 in cash.

    The investigation revealed that the drugs allegedly belonged to FERNANDEZ.

    FERNANDEZ was taken into custody and transported to the police station. He is currently on probation related to a prior narcotics conviction out of Stoughton District Court.

    “This arrest is the result of proactive police work and an ongoing investigation into drug activity in our community,” Chief Donna McNamara said. “Our officers will continue to investigate and address illegal drug distribution in Stoughton.”

    FERNANDEZ was arraigned Wednesday in Stoughton District Court. His bail was set at $2,500 related to the new arrest.

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

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  • Stoughton Police Department Equips Every Marked Vehicle with Emergency Birth Kits Following Christmas Day Delivery

    ByCody Shepard

    The Stoughton Police Department has purchased the Emergency Birth Kit for every marked vehicle in its fleet – making it one of the first departments in Massachusetts to fully equip its patrol vehicles for emergency childbirth situations. The kits were developed by CORE4 Products LLC, a Medfield, Massachusetts-based company.

    The acquisition comes just four months after a Christmas Day emergency delivery that drew national attention. Stoughton Police received a call at 6:12 am that a local woman was in active labor. Sergeant Albert Medeiros was first on scene, followed moments later by Officer Daisy Guzman. Together, the two officers helped deliver a healthy baby boy at 6:17 a.m. just five minutes after the initial call. The mother and child were transported to Boston Medical Center, where both were reported in good health. The story was covered by numerous Boston-area television and print news outlets, and other regional outlets.

    “The events of Christmas morning reminded us that our officers can be called upon for any emergency at any moment,” said Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara. “Equipping every vehicle with an Emergency Birth Kit ensures our officers have the right tools for any situation our Officers might face.”

    “What Sergeant Medeiros and Officer Guzman did on Christmas morning was heroic,” said Paul DeLuca, Founder and CEO of CORE4 Products. “Stoughton’s decision to equip every marked vehicle sends a powerful message to the community they serve: this department is committed to being prepared for every emergency, including the ones no one expects.”

    The Emergency Birth Kit is the first single-use childbirth kit purpose-built for first responders. Each kit contains essential sterile OB supplies that enable officers to manage an unexpected childbirth situation until EMS arrives — or assist with delivery if advanced medical care is unavailable. The kit was officially introduced at the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association Annual Conference on April 8, 2026.

    Historically, officers and deputies have assisted in delivering babies in vehicles, on highways, during traffic stops, in parking lots, and outside hospitals in states from coast to coast. The Emergency Birth Kit closes that gap with a standardized, low-cost solution that reduces improvisation and supports accreditation and operational readiness standards.

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  • Stoughton Police Department Recognizes SRO Appreciation Day

    ByCody Shepard

    Feb. 15 is National School Resource Officer Day, a time to recognize the officers who serve in our schools and support student safety.

    In Stoughton, the School Resource Officers for Stoughton Public Schools are Juvenile Detective Lindsay Bonda and Officer Tiani Paula. They primarily staff the middle and high schools and are a consistent presence in the school community.

    As SROs, Detective Bonda and Officer Paula serve as visible and active law enforcement representatives in school buildings. They respond to police-related matters​ and work closely with faculty and administrators to address concerns​. They also serve as a direct liaison between the schools and the Stoughton Police Department, ensuring clear communication and coordinated support.

    Our SROs play an important role in maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment.

    We thank Detective Bonda and Officer Paula for their continued commitment to the students, staff and families of Stoughton!

  • Stoughton Police Introduce New K-9 Team: Officer Steve Camara and K-9 Bator

    ByCody Shepard

    Chie​f​ Donna McNamara is pleased to announce the addition of a new K-9 team to the Stoughton Police Department, with Officer Steve Camara and his partner, K-9 Bator, now certified and ready for service.

    Officer Camara, an 11-year veteran of the department, was selected as Stoughton Police’s new canine handler following a competitive interview process that included command staff and experienced handlers from neighboring agencies. He was chosen from a strong field of candidates based on his high performance, professionalism and dedication to the department and public service.

    Officer Camara recently completed a six-week training program at Shallow Creek Kennels in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania, alongside his new partner, Bator, a 22-month-old German Shepherd imported from Hungary.

    The K-9 team earned national certification through the North American Police Working Dog Association (NAPWDA) in article, area and building searches, aggression control, firearms detection and tracking.

    “I’m grateful for the opportunity to take on this new role and continue serving the Town of Stoughton in a different way,” Officer Camara said. “Working alongside Bator has already been an incredible experience, and I’m excited to put our training to work for our community.”

    Chief ​M​cNamara said the department is proud to bring K-9 services back in-house after relying on assistance from neighboring agencies.

    “We are excited to have Officer Camara and K-9 Bator supporting our daily operations,” Chief McNamara said. “Since the retirement of K-9 Dino, we have depended on our regional partners for K-9 support. Bringing this capability back to Stoughton strengthens our ability to serve and protect our residents.”

    ​The Stoughton Police Department would also like to acknowledge the support of Mass Vest-A-Dog, which provided a $7,200 grant to help offset the costs of purchasing and training the K-9 team.

    “This partnership made a meaningful difference in allowing us to move forward with this program,” Chief McNamara said. “We are grateful for their continued support of law enforcement and public safety.”

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  • Stoughton Police Department Recognizes National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

    ByCody Shepard

    Today, we recognize Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and thank all of our local officers, along with our local law enforcement partners. These are people who deeply care about the work they do and work hard every day to serve their communities.

    We thank our community members who regularly show their support for our Police Department. We encourage everyone to take a moment today to thank their local law enforcement officers for keeping our communities safe through enforcement, ongoing educational initiatives and community engagement.

  • Stoughton Police Department Reminds Community of Ice Safety Tips to Stay Safe This Winter

    ByCody Shepard

    The Stoughton Police Department would like to remind residents of the dangers of ice during the winter, when ponds, lakes, and waterways freeze over.

    No ice is 100 percent safe, as it is impossible to judge ice conditions by appearance or depth alone. Many factors, including water depth, body of water size, water chemistry, currents, snow cover, ice age, and local weather conditions, affect ice strength.

    Falling through the ice can be extremely dangerous and often fatal. Residents should avoid walking or driving on ice-bound bodies of water. The department would like to share the following safety tips on what to do if someone falls through ice.

    For more information and safety tips, visit the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife website: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/ice-strength-and-safety