Stoughton

May is National Water Safety Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about boating and swimming safety. According to the American Red Cross, about 4,000 people die from unintentional drowning each year, which is an average of 11 deaths per day. During 2023, the American Coast Guard reported 3,844 boating accidents that resulted in 564 deaths and 2,126 injuries.

National Water Safety Month aims to educate people about the importance of safe swimming and boating through tips and resources. 

The U.S. Coast Guard observes National Boating Safety Week this year from May 17-23, starting the weekend before Memorial Day, to encourage safe boating habits. Their campaign shares the importance of habits like wearing a life jacket, getting a free vessel safety check from the Coast Guard and being aware of weather conditions before leaving the shore. For more information, visit safeboatingcampaign.com

Chief Donna McNamara reports that the Stoughton Police Department arrested a Fall River man on charges of breaking and entering, identity fraud and credit card fraud following an investigation into an April break-in at a local business.

MARK SMITH, AGE 40, of FALL RIVER, was arrested Wednesday and charged with:

Breaking and Entering During the Nighttime with Intent to Commit a Felony

Identity Fraud (7 counts)

Credit Card Fraud (7 counts)

SMITH is expected to be arraigned Thursday in Stoughton District Court.

On Sunday, April 20, at approximately 8:21 p.m., Stoughton Police responded to a business at 95 Sharon St. to take a report regarding a past break-in.

Stoughton Police Detective Kevin Lima began an investigation and reviewed video surveillance footage that showed a suspect inside the restaurant at 3:32 a.m. on April 20. It was determined that a business credit card was stolen during the break-in.

Through its investigation, Stoughton Police determined that the credit card was used seven times at ATMs and businesses in Fall River, Seekonk and Swansea in Massachusetts, and East Providence and Tiverton in Rhode Island. The transactions and withdrawals ranged from $32.33 to $544.87.

The investigation revealed that the suspect, identified as SMITH, was a former employee who had not worked there for years.

Stoughton Police obtained a search warrant for SMITH’s residence in Fall River and Detectives executed it at about 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 7, with assistance from the Fall River Police Department. SMITH was taken into custody without incident, and police recovered clothing items consistent with those worn during the crimes.

“This was a thorough weeks-long investigation that included obtaining and reviewing surveillance video from multiple locations and applying for and executing a search warrant,” Chief McNamara said. “I commend our Detectives for their rigorous investigation, which led to the identification of the suspect and linked the break-in to numerous instances of identity and credit card fraud.”

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

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Motorcycle Safety Month is observed every year in May. As the weather gets warmer and more motorcyclists are on the road, the initiative raises awareness of road safety for motorcyclists and those who share the road with them. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that, in 2023, the most recent full year of data, 6,335 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes, representing 15% of all traffic fatalities.

The American Motorcycle Association encourages passenger car drivers and motorcyclists to work together on the road to create a safe driving environment. All drivers should avoid distracted driving by focusing on the road and ignoring distractions such as cellphone use, adjusting the radio or GPS. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/Motorcycle-Safety

Stoughton Police Officer Ed Barker with K-9 Dino. (Photo Courtesy Stoughton Police Department) STOUGHTON — Chief Donna McNamara and the Stoughton Police Department would like…

Distracted Driving Awareness Month, observed every April, is an opportunity to remind drivers of the importance of focused and safe driving. The month aims to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving to everyone on the road, including drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

In 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that an estimated 3,308 people were killed and an additional 289,310 people were injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers.

When behind the wheel, drivers should focus only on the task at hand by keeping their eyes on the road, both hands on the wheel, and their attention on driving. Distracted driving is any activity that takes your attention away from driving, including using a phone, adjusting the radio or GPS, applying makeup, eating, or drinking.

For more tips and information on distracted driving from the NHTSA, visit: https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving

STOUGHTON — Chief Donna McNamara is pleased to announce that the Stoughton Police Department is launching several initiatives this April to celebrate World Autism Month.

“Over two years ago, the Stoughton Police Department began a program to register at-risk individuals to help our first responders in the event of emergencies,” Chief McNamara said. “Thanks to School Resource Officer Lindsay Bonda, we are proud to expand this important program to include at-risk children, ensuring that our most vulnerable community members receive the support and resources they need.”

At-Risk Emergency Biographical Information Form
Residents can visit the Stoughton Police website to complete an At-Risk Emergency Biographical Information Form. The form will be retained and distributed to first responders for the sole purpose of identifying and assisting the person at risk should they wander, need assistance, or be involved in any type of emergency.

The form asks for a name, email, recent photo of the at-risk individual, emergency contacts, any interests the at-risk individual has that may help first responders engage with them, and if they respond to their name, among other questions.

The form can be completed on the Stoughton Police website or printed and emailed to SPDatriskinfo@stoughton-ma.gov.

Blue Envelope Program
The Blue Envelope Program is an initiative to ease communication between individuals on the autism spectrum and law enforcement during motor vehicle operator interactions.

The Stoughton Police Department is partnering with the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office to distribute seat belt covers to help first responders quickly identify people on the autism spectrum in an emergency.

To get a seat belt cover, email SPDatriskinfo@stoughton-ma.gov.

Autism Patch Fundraiser
The Stoughton Police Department will wear a commemorative patch throughout April to show support for those living on the autism spectrum.

The patch, which will be worn by Stoughton officers, will also be made available to members of the community. The money will be donated to the Best Buddies program at Stoughton High School (SHS). The program aims for students to develop, foster, and maintain friendships throughout their time at SHS.

Patches can be purchased for $10 each at the Stoughton Police Station (26 Rose St., Stoughton, MA 02072) with cash or through Venmo (@stoughtonpolicerelief). If purchasing through Venmo, community members are asked to indicate whether they will pick up their patch at the station or want to have it mailed. If a patch is being sent, provide your name and address in the Venmo description.

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STOUGHTON — Chief Donna McNamara is pleased to announce that the Stoughton Police Department is launching its body-worn camera program this Sunday.

Sgt. Ryan Flanagan developed an extensive training program that covered the department’s body-worn camera policy and how to operate the cameras. All Stoughton Police officers have undergone the requisite training and will now wear the body-worn cameras while on duty, beginning Sunday, March 30. 

As part of the program, all sworn officers will be outfitted with a Getac BC-04-4K UHD Rugged Body Camera. The cameras will be attached to the officer’s uniform and will be visible to the public. 

All patrol officers, school resource officers, and the court prosecutor will wear body cameras when they are interacting with the public. Detectives and administrative staff will wear them as required by their duties that day but will have cameras available when outside the police station.

Officers will activate their body-worn cameras during routine calls for service, investigatory stops, traffic stops, foot and vehicle pursuits, emergency driving situations, situations that would gather evidence to enhance prosecution, and situations as required by the department’s policy. 

The Stoughton Police Department’s body-worn camera policy establishes guidelines for the proper use, management, storage, and retrieval of video and audio data recorded by a body-worn camera during the program. The policy was developed with input from the patrol officer and superior officers unions and contains best police practices gleaned from other Massachusetts police departments that have successfully implemented body-worn camera programs.

“Our body-worn camera program has received overwhelming support from officers at all levels of the department,” said Deputy Chief Nathan Derby.

The program’s purpose is to continue fostering trust and positive community relationships by providing greater transparency. Along with greater transparency, body cameras can promote de-escalation, resolve citizen complaints, and provide a valuable training tool.

Stoughton Police received a state grant to support the program. The department was awarded $249,425 from the Healey-Driscoll Administration as part of the Law Enforcement Body-Worn Camera Program. The state awarded over $3 million in grant funds to 32 local police departments in July 2024 to implement or expand body-worn camera programs across Massachusetts.

“The implementation of body-worn cameras is a significant step forward in our commitment to transparency, accountability, and community trust,” Chief McNamara said. “These cameras will enhance officer safety, provide an objective record of interactions, and help strengthen the relationship between our officers and the community we serve.”

President Barack Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing placed a priority on body camera research and camera programs. More recently, a 2020 study of the Boston Police body-worn camera program showed a 63.6% reduction in use of force reports and a 50.5% reduction in citizen complaints for officers wearing body-worn cameras compared to the 12 months before implementing their program. 

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STOUGHTON — Chief Donna McNamara reports that the Stoughton Police Department has returned a suspect to Massachusetts to face charges in a 2019 house break-in and assault on an elderly woman.

A relentless investigation by Stoughton Police Sgt. Robert Kuhn, a detective at the time of the incident, ensures that STANLEY MITCHELL, 34, of NEWTON, NEW JERSEY, will answer to charges of:

Entering a Dwelling by False Pretenses with the Intent to Commit a Felony

Larceny Over $1,200

Conspiracy

Witness Intimidation

Vandalizing Property

MITCHELL was arrested by Stoughton Police on Thursday, March 20, at the Broome County Correctional Facility in Binghamton, New York, on two fugitive from justice warrants related to an incident that occurred in Stoughton on Feb. 2, 2019.

MITCHELL, who failed to appear in court for a pre-trial conference in August 2024, prompting a default warrant to issue, had been on the run. He waived his extradition to return to Massachusetts.

Stoughton Police Detective Daniel Barber worked extensively with the Broome County District Attorney’s Office to arrange MITCHELL’s extradition. On March 20, Stoughton Police Officers John Lydstone and Joe DeSousa traveled to New York to bring MITCHELL back to Massachusetts.

MITCHELL, who had been indicted by a grand jury related to the incident, appeared in Norfolk County Superior Court in Dedham on Friday, March 21, and his bail was set at $35,000.

On Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, at approximately 1:20 p.m., Stoughton Police responded to a house break-in on Halliden Place. The investigation revealed that a man posing as a utility worker forcibly entered the home, pushed the 82-year-old resident, stole about $4,000 in valuables, and fled.

Sgt. Kuhn’s extensive investigation, which included reviewing surveillance video, subpoenaing records, and working with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, led him to identify MITCHELL as the suspect.

In 2019, Sgt. Kuhn also traveled to Florida to return a co-conspirator who was charged in connection with the incident and released to Stoughton Police’s custody.

“I want to commend Sgt. Kuhn for his tenacious and tireless efforts for six years to pursue justice for the victim and her family,” Chief McNamara said. “His dedication was instrumental in identifying and apprehending the suspect. This is a powerful example of the determination and commitment that define the men and women of the Stoughton Police Department.”

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

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Are you interested in becoming a Stoughton Police Officer? The Stoughton Police Department, through Hanrahan Consulting LLC, is holding an entrance examination at 9 a.m. on April 26. Candidates must register no later than 4 p.m. on April 20.

Candidates must be at least 21 years old at the time of the appointment and meet the minimum qualifications to be a police officer.

To sign up for the entrance exam, visit StoughtonPolice.com.