Hickey: A Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Week

Manchester had a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Week (apologies to Alexander) last week as the city experienced a massive spike in overdose calls.  Calling the week “disastrous,” the Manchester Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Services Officer Christopher Hickey said, quote:

“starting (last) Saturday afternoon at around 3 o’clock, something hit the streets that hit the users hard.”

From the nineteenth at about three until the twenty fifth at about three, the department responded to forty one overdose calls.  None were fatal.  Hickey speculated that the surge in overdoses was caused by a change in the mix of what users were using.   Just the week before, Hickey had sent a positive update, noting that there’d only been twenty eight overdoses month to date.

Levasseur: Suggests change in tactics

There was a fair amount of email reaction from those who received Hickey’s update, including from Manchester Alderman at Large Joe Kelley Levasseur who wrote, quote: 

“I need to say this to everyone- Until we arrest them or pass a law that we can involuntarily hold them to detox and educate,  this is not going to stop. When they receive narcan the first time, they should be put in Valley or some other secure facility for 30 days, if narcaned again, 90 days, 3rd time 180 days and so on-“

Needless to say, that proposition generated some feedback.  Yes, we will discuss.

Police in Goffstown are alerting residents to a rash of motor vehicle break-ins.  Several thefts have been reported during overnight hours, the most recent on Saturday night in the Highwood Village parking lot.  The department’s asking residents to contact it immediately if they see their vehicles have been gone through.  And, it should go without saying that valuables should be removed from vehicles and vehicles should be locked.

News from our own backyard continues after this.

GPD: Issues alert

The New Hampshire Department of Safety will begin working to update the state’s 9 1 1 mapping network in the city of Manchester on September 5th.  Their work is expected to continue through November.  All state employees will be driving white vehicles with a blue State of New Hampshire-Department of Safety seal and an amber colored light bar affixed to the roof.  The workers will have proper identifications displayed at all times and will most likely work from their vehicles.  If you have any questions, comments or concerns regarding the workers, please call 5 2 7 2 0 6 9.

MPD: Announces Citizens Police Academy, police exam

The Manchester Police Department will be host its 28th Citizens Police Academy starting on September 20th.  All classes will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-8:00 at the Manchester P D Headquarters on Valley St.

The academy is an eight week program designed to inform residents about the department’s role in the community and is mostly conducted in a classroom with some limited participation, if so chosen.  The departments says participants will be, quote:

“exposed to the glamor and excitement associated with police work, along with the processes that are less glamorous but vital to their day to day operations.”

There is no fee, but would be participants are required to fill out a brief application and complete a background check before accepted.  If you would like additional information or an application regarding, please visit manchester p d dot com or contact Officer Steven Duquette at s duquett @ Manchester n h dot gov.

Girard: Will take police exam

By the way, the department is holding an exam for those who want to be police officers.  It’ll be held on Saturday, September 16th at the New Hampshire Police Academy in Concord.  The application process is open until Monday, September 11th.  Information and an application can be obtained by visiting manchester p d dot com.   Please feel free to contact Officer Carl Accorto in the Training Division with any questions by calling 7 9 2 5 4 5 2.  Since I’m taking the test, I’ll bring the dough-nuts!

BPD: Will enforce new BHS parking regs

The Bedford Police Department announced that new parking rules for Bedford High School students will go into effect tomorrow when opens tomorrow and it wants to ensure students are aware of the new  requirements.  Parking permits issued by the town will now be required for students to park at:

  • Sportsman’s Field on Nashua Road,
  • the former D P W facility and Little League Field, also on Nashua Road and
  • the Town Pool and Recreation Facilities parking lot on County Road.

Parking for students is not permitted in the lot for the tennis courts, Timber Town or any non-designated student parking area.  Any vehicle parked illegally in violation of the ordinance will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense.  During the first few days of school, officers will be at each of the lots at the beginning of the day to assist students and prevent any violations from occurring.

BHS: Students need parking permits

Any student who entered the Bedford High School lottery and who has a valid N H license, but was not awarded a B H S spot can apply for a town permit and will be given preference based on their lottery number.  Those who did not receive a high school parking lottery number can also apply for a town permit on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Students must go to the Town Office to obtain a parking permit in order to be able to park in these lots.  Any student wishing to receive a permit must hold a valid N H driver’s license and complete the form available online at bedford n h dot org and bring it to the Town Office.

Parking restrictions for these lots apply only during school days and hours.  For any additional permitting questions, please call the town’s Finance Department at 4 7 2 3 5 5 0.

That’s NEWS from our own backyard!  Girard at Large hour ___ is next!

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