Around Town

Registration Open for Middlesex Sheriff’s Youth Public Safety Academy

By |

Photo by Charlie BreitroseA cadet in the Middlesex Youth Public Safety Academy uses the fire hose as at Saltonstall Park. The following announcement was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office:

Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian is pleased to announce registration for the 2024 Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA) is now open. Now in its 24th year, YPSA is an educational and affordable summer program that is open to all children living in Middlesex County ages 8-12. Older children have the opportunity to become a Counselor-in-Training.  The program is comprised of five, one-week camps and is held at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Training Academy in Chelmsford. Registration for each week is $100 per child and includes transportation to and from designated bus stops; daily breakfast and lunch; and a graduation ceremony held each Friday. 

“YPSA is a proud tradition here at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Koutoujian.

Police/Fire

Middlesex Sheriff Offering Correctional Officer Exam, Signing Bonus

By |

The following information was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office:

The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office is extending the registration period for those interested in taking the correction officer entrance exam to Friday, April 8 at 3:00 p.m.

Candidates may sign up for the free exam by visiting middlesexsheriff.org and completing the registration form. The exam is being offered on a rolling basis with prospective candidates able to select from one of nine sessions between March 28 – April 9. Those who pass the written exam will be invited to take the office’s fitness test on April 16. Starting base salary for new officers is $60,885 with the ability to earn over $10,000 more in potential bonuses and overtime. Candidates who successfully graduate the BTA and complete a probationary period will also be eligible for a $2,500 sign on bonus.

Around Town

Registration Open for the Sheriff’s Youth Public Safety Academy

By |

Children interact with local first responders during the Middlesex Sheriff’s Youth Public Safety Academy. Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian has announced registration for the popular Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA) will open at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2020. Now entering its 21st year, YPSA is an educational, low-cost summer camp option for Middlesex County families. The camp is open to children ages 8-12 and is held at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Training Academy in Chelmsford.  Last year, more than 1,000 youngsters participated in the program. YPSA is comprised of six, one-week camps, beginning the first full week of July (6-10) and running through the second week of August (10-14).  Transportation to and from designated bus stops, as well as breakfast and lunch are provided daily, with a graduation ceremony held each Friday in Chelmsford. Participants are not required to reside in one of the communities with a designated bus stop, but will be picked up and dropped off at those locations.

Police/Fire

Sheriff Warns to Beware of Social Security Phone Scam

By |

The following information was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office:

The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to be alert for a recently reported government imposter scam. On Monday, the MSO received a call from an area resident alleging he had been contacted by a man purporting to be with the IRS. The perpetrator told the resident his Social Security number (SSN) had been canceled because it had been compromised and used in Texas by criminals. The perpetrator further told the resident his bank accounts had also been frozen as a result and that a member of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office would be following up with additional details. A short time later, the resident said he received a call from an individual posing as a member of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office and was told that two deputies would collect his old Social Security card and issue him a new card and number. In an effort to further convince the resident the call was legitimate, the perpetrator used spoofing technology to make it appear as though the call was coming from a legitimate sheriff’s office telephone number. “It’s critically important for residents to be aware that their Social Security numbers cannot be canceled or suspended,” said Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian. “Fortunately, in this case, the resident felt something was amiss and followed up with our office to confirm this was a scam.”

Anyone who believes they have been the victim of this, or any, imposter scam is encouraged to contact their local police department. Individuals may also report the matter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/Information#crnt&panel1-1.

Police/Fire

Sheriff Koutoujian Speaks in DC About Importance of Pell Grants

By |

Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian (third from right) recently participated in a public briefing on the proposed restoration of Pell Grant eligibility for justice-involved individuals hosted by Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime & Incarceration. Pictured from left are Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime & Incarceration Senior Counsel Taryn Merkl; former Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Corrections Rick Raemisch; Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime & Incarceration Executive Director Ronal Serpas; Sheriff Koutoujian; Co-Founder and President of the Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Dr. Chris Beasley; and Miea Walker, the Criminal Justice Manager of the Policy and Advocacy Division of Forward Justice. The following information was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office. Peter Koutoujian is a former State Rep who represented parts of Watertown:

Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian joined current and former law enforcement leaders for a Capitol Hill briefing Wednesday, September 17, on the importance of restoring Pell Grants and expanding other higher education opportunities for incarcerated students. The event was hosted by Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime & Incarceration, of which Sheriff Koutoujian is a founding member.

Around Town

Middlesex Sheriff, Sen. Markey Announce Effort to Increase Opioid Treatment in Jails

By |

Sheriff Peter Koutoujian and Sen. Ed Markey spoke about a joint effort to expand opioid treatment in jails. The following information was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office:

Senator Edward J. Markey (D – MA) joined Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian Wednesday for a private roundtable discussion with staff and inmates at the Middlesex Jail & House of Correction about efforts to expand opioid treatment in jails. Senator Markey visited Billerica to discuss the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office nationally recognized Medication Assisted Treatment And Directed Opioid Recovery (MATADOR) program and talk about his recently filed Community Re-Entry through Addiction Treatment to Enhance (CREATE) Opportunities Act.  The bipartisan CREATE Opportunities Act, which has been endorsed by both the Major County Sheriffs of America and the National Sheriffs’ Association, would authorize the creation of a federally funded grant program allowing local jurisdictions to provide access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in correctional facilities. “We were honored to have Senator Markey visit and meet with those directly impacted by this crisis and who will most benefit from the critical, bipartisan legislation he has filed,” said Sheriff Koutoujian.  “The Senator has been a true leader and partner in efforts to identify and support initiatives like our MATADOR program to tackle the opioid crisis.  Passage of this legislation would benefit jurisdictions large and small across the country and greatly enhance our capabilities as we prepare for the expanded MAT pilot here in the Commonwealth.”

Since the launch of MATADOR in the fall of 2015, 82 percent of participants who successfully completed six months in the program have not recidivated and 96 percent of all participants – regardless of whether they had completed the program – had not succumbed to a fatal post-release overdose. “Our county jails are an indispensable partner in ending the opioid overdose crisis once and for all,” said Senator Markey.

Police/Fire

Watertown Youths Learn What It’s Like to be a Firefighter

By |

A cadet in the Middlesex Youth Public Safety Academy uses the fire hose as at Saltonstall Park. Holding tightly to a real fire hose, a young camper from the Middlesex Sheriff’s Youth Public Safety Academy shot a wide stream of water hundreds of feet across the field at Saltonstall Park on Wednesday morning. The Watertown Fire Department welcomed 31 youngsters from town to show them what it is like to be a firefighter. The campers are part of the week-long summer camp, and later in the day they stopped by the Watertown Police Station to learn about what police officers do. Watertown Fire Capt. Bob Power helps a camper use a fire hose.

Around Town

Middlesex Sheriff Receives Money to Expand Youth Public Safety Academy

By |

The following information was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office:

Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian today announced the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO) has been awarded nearly $3,700 from Attorney General Maura Healey’s Healthy Summer Youth Jobs Grant Program to help support the MSO’s 20th Annual Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA). “We are grateful to Attorney General Healey for providing this funding which allows us to hire an additional counselor and expand the number of cadets we are able to accept into this year’s YPSA,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “Not only does this grant provide an opportunity for more cadets to participate in this program, but also for a young adult to work in an environment where they can mentor younger neighbors.”

YPSA is a series of six, one-week long camps designed for children ages 8-12 who live in Middlesex County. Cadets spend the week with MSO staff as well as police officers and firefighters from their hometown, forming important bonds with their local law enforcement officials. Cadets also participate in classroom and practical activities designed to teach them important public safety skills including a simulated fire safety trailer offered by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, a challenge course held at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Billerica, and demonstrations offered by the MSO and partner agencies. “Our summer jobs program provides young people across the state with an opportunity to challenge themselves and make a difference in their own community,” AG Healey said.