Town of Groveland Shares Trick-or-Treat and Halloween Safety Tips

pentucketporta on October 15, 2020

Board of Selectmen Approves Trick-or-Treating for Oct. 31 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Police Chief Jeffrey T. Gillen and the Groveland Board of Selectmen would like to share safety tips and guidance regarding Halloween activities to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Board of Selectmen, taking into account the most current public health guidance and statements made by Governor Charlie Baker, has decided to maintain the annual trick-or-treating hours, while encouraging strict public health and safety practices.

The official hours set by the Town for trick-or-treating on Saturday, Oct. 31 will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Should residents choose partake in trick-or-treating, they are encouraged to leave individually wrapped candy that can be placed at the end of a driveway or the edge of their yard for families to take. Those who do not wish to participate in Trick-or-Treat are asked to shut off their outdoor lights as an indicator. Residents are strongly discouraged from going “door-to-door.”

Residents are asked to take the following precautions from the Department of Public Health if they choose to trick-or-treat this year:

  • Wear a face mask or face covering. For more information on face masks and face coverings, please see the state’s Mask Up MA webpage.
  • Observe good hand hygiene, including hand washing and use of alcohol-based sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol. Carry hand sanitizer and use it often, especially after coming into contact with frequently touched surfaces and before eating candy.
  • Refrain from touching your face.
  • Stay home and refrain from Halloween activities, including giving away Halloween treats, if:
    • you feel unwell;
    • you have tested positive for COVID-19;
    • you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19; or
    • you have traveled to or from a state that is not classified as lower risk within the last 14 days. For more information on lower risk states, please see the state’s COVID-19 Travel Order webpage.
  • Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet of physical distance from all other participants who are not members of the same household.

Additionally, Groveland officials would like to share the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists of several low and moderate risk alternative activities that community members can take part in for Halloween.

Lower risk alternatives include:

  • Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them, or at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
  • Decorating your home
  • Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
  • Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
  • Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with
  • Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house

Community members may participate in moderate-risk activities, as long as they take the proper safety precautions. These include:

  • Having a small group, outdoor, open-air costume parade where people are distanced more than 6 feet apart
  • Attending a costume party held outdoors where protective masks are used and people can remain more than 6 feet apart
    • A costume mask (such as for Halloween) is not a substitute for a cloth mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around the face.
    • Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.
  • Having an outdoor Halloween movie night with local family friends with people spaced at least 6 feet apart

Residents are asked to avoid higher risk activities this Halloween in order to prevent the spread of the virus. These activities include:

  • Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door-to-door
  • Having trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots
  • Attending crowded costume parties held indoors
  • Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming
  • Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household

More information and holiday safety tips from the CDC can be found here.

Groveland Police to Summons Man who Allegedly Followed Woman in his Vehicle

pentucketporta on July 2, 2020

GROVELAND — Chief Jeffrey T. Gillen reports that the Groveland Police Department will seek a criminal summons against a resident following an investigation into his allegedly following a woman in his vehicle earlier this week.
A 65-YEAR-OLD MAN, OF GROVELAND, will be charged with Disorderly Conduct and Disturbing the Peace.
On Monday, June 29, a Groveland resident reported to police that they had responded on Monday afternoon to an ad on a Groveland community Facebook page where a resident was giving away excess dog food. The resident drove to the house, located approximately one mile from her own home, and picked up the free dog food. As she turned to head back home, she reported to police that the GROVELAND MAN in a vehicle turned around multiple times in an obvious effort to follow her.
Through their investigation, which was led by Detective Steven Petrone, Groveland Police determined that the man had disturbed neighbors during the incident, and another motorist reported having to drive off the roadway to avoid him while he was allegedly engaged in a verbal altercation with the woman he followed.
Police subsequently identified the man, interviewed him and he will be summonsed to Haverhill District Court at a later date for a Clerk Magistrate’s hearing.

Statement of Groveland Police Chief Jeffrey T. Gillen Regarding Death of George Floyd and Actions of Minneapolis Police

pentucketporta on June 6, 2020

GROVELAND — Chief Jeffrey T. Gillen and the men and women of the Groveland Police Department condemn the actions of the Minneapolis police officers which resulted in the death of George Floyd last week. Chief Gillen and the Groveland Police Department also condemn racism and police brutality of any kind, as the Groveland Police Department has worked to maintain a sense of welcoming and safety for all individuals, families, business owners and visitors in Groveland.

“The actions of these police officers, not just in Minneapolis, but elsewhere before and after the death of George Floyd in no way reflect what the Groveland Police Department stands for,” Chief Gillen said. “The mission statement of our department clearly states that our officers will protect the constitutional rights of all individuals and that we are committed to maintaining peace and protecting all life. We live by these words every day in service to our community.”

Police departments and their officers across Massachusetts have thoroughly embraced the six pillars of the principles embodied in the final report of President Barack Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, and remain committed to professional conduct, democratic policing and procedural justice for all people. 

The Groveland Police Department believes in treating all citizens fairly and with dignity, whether they are callers asking for help, those suspect of wrongdoing or members of our community encountered day to day by officers on duty.

The Groveland Police Department also believes in the rights of every citizen to peacefully assemble in protest over important issues such as racism, hatred, bigotry and police brutality. The Groveland Police Department supports the peaceful and collective voice of the protesters demanding justice.

“I encourage everyone to unite and show respect for the diversity of voices you are hearing today,” Chief Gillen said. “It is only by listening to one another that we can learn how to move forward.

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Groveland Police Department Temporarily Suspend Non-Emergency Walk-in Services

pentucketporta on March 19, 2020

GROVELAND — Police Chief Jeffrey T. Gillen announces that, out of an abundance of caution, the Groveland Police Department will temporarily suspend non-emergency walk-in services in response to COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus.

All walk-in services, such as fingerprinting, records requests, non-violent past offenses, medication drop-off, etc. are suspended until further notice. Non-emergency matters may be reported over the phone by calling the department’s business line at 978-521-1212.

An officer will be assigned to follow-up with you. In some cases, officers may utilize email for statements or photos needed for a report.

As always, please call 911 for any emergency. The department will continue to respond to those calls immediately. Those who call 911 are asked to tell dispatchers if they are experiencing any flu-like symptoms. Dispatchers have also been directed to do the same.

Officers will practice social distancing when responding to calls in person in order to protect both the residents and the officers.

Police can also be contacted through the department’s website. However, the site is not monitored 24/7. Those looking for immediate, non-emergency help are asked to call 978-521-1212.

To request a public record, visit the department’s website here and either email Lt. McDonald at dmcdonald@grovelandpolice.com or download the request form, fill it out and mail it to the police department.

All new and renewal firearm licensing applications may be mailed to the Groveland Police Department. The firearm licensing application can be found here. Please ensure the application is complete and include a $100 check (made out to the Town of Groveland) for the application fee when you mail in the document.

All new firearm licensing applications appointments for fingerprints and photos are postponed until further notice.

“These are temporary changes we are making to the way we provide services out of an abundance of caution,” said Chief Gillen. “All of us at the Groveland Police Department are committed to providing the same excellent service that our community deserves.”

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has also rolled out 2-1-1 for COVID-19. Residents can call 2-1-1 at all hours (24/7) for more information and updates surrounding COVID-19.

For more information, visit the DPH website by clicking here and the CDC’s website by clicking here.

*PHOTOS* Groveland Police Seeking Bank/Identity Fraud Suspect

pentucketporta on January 29, 2020

GROVELAND — Police Chief Jeffrey T. Gillen reports that the Groveland Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and apprehending a suspect who posed as an account holder at two area banks and fraudulently withdrew thousands of dollars in cash.

The suspect allegedly went into bank branches in the local area, including Groveland and Haverhill, in mid-November and posed as an account holder and withdrew $4,500 on two separate occasions, tallying $9,000.

Police are circulating photos of the suspect in hopes that someone will recognize this individual.

If anyone has any information on these incidents or recognizes the suspect pictured here, they are asked to contact Groveland Police Detective Joshua Sindoni at 978 521-1212.