REVERE POLICE LOOK AT DISTRACTED DRIVING
Mayor Brian Arrigo and Chief Joseph Cafarelli announced that the Revere Police Department will conduct a series of patrols designed to reduce the number of crashes, fatalities, and injuries caused by distracted driving. The effort is part of a statewide enforcement and education campaign by the Highway Safety Division (HSD) of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) to address a historic rise in fatal crashes fueled by driver distraction. The campaign is designed to raise awareness of the importance of attentive and engaged driving and will focus on the dangers distracted driving poses to everyone on the road including bicyclists and pedestrians.
Massachusetts law prohibits adult drivers from writing, sending, or reading electronic messages, interacting with apps or browsing the Internet while driving even if stopped at a light. Teen drivers under 18 are prohibited entirely from using mobile phones and other electronic devices while driving. Fines go as high as $500. Teen drivers can also lose their license for up to one year.
“Our goal is keeping all road users in our community safe. If you text, dial, or read a message on your phone while driving, you are endangering the lives of those around you, and you will be stopped,†said Chief Cafarelli. “Using our community’s crash data, our officers will determine where the majority of crashes occur and focus their patrols in those areas.â€
The data is as follows:
- Preliminary Massachusetts data shows a 13 percent increase in motor vehicle fatalities from 2015 to 2016 – more than double the national average according to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- Nationally in 2015, fatalities from crashes involving a distracted driver increased by 9 percent according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- In Massachusetts, distracted driving fatalities are highest among adults ages 18-34 and 75+ (FARS)
- Pedestrian fatalities in Massachusetts increased by 26 percent in 2015 according to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).
- Nationally, 1 out of 10 drivers between the ages of 15 and 19 years old involved in fatal crashes was distracted (NHTSA).
- 94 percent of all crashes are caused by driver error (NHTSA).
The Revere Police Department offers these tips for motorists:
- Turn your phone off and put it where you can’t reach it before driving;
- Let your friends and family know that you’ll be driving and can’t take their call/text;
- Pull over to a safe place if you have to make a call or send a text;
- Start GPS navigation or review maps before you start driving;
- Watch for pedestrians and bicyclists – especially at night; and
- Remember to buckle up! Seat belts are your best defense against a distracted driver.
OFFICER TAKEN OFF PAID LEAVE
Revere Police Officer Angela Halcovich has been taken off paid administrative leave and will be put on unpaid leave, according to the Revere Police Department.
Halcovich was taken into custody in late January and released on $2,500 cash bail, with orders to abide by any conditions imposed by the Department of Children and Families and have no unsupervised contact with the victims if she posts that amount. Halcovich is accused of allowing her boyfriend, former Officer Marcos R. Garcia, to beat the two children in her care on Jan. 12 and beating them herself on a date several months earlier.
TWO SEARCH WARRANTS, THREE MONTHS
A Highland Avenue man, out on bail from a major drug search warrant case in January, had another search warrant executed at his home on Tuesday, April 4.
Police executed the warrant at 41 Highland Avenue for the second time in three months on Tuesday after a month-long investigation into narcotics distribution. Police allegedly found crack cocaine at the residence and charged the man once again.
Police said he was due back in court for the first case on the very day the second search warrant was executed.
Gabriel Batilus, 34, of 41 Highland St., was arrested and charged with possession to distribute Class B drug (crack).
Police reported this time that the court held Batilus without bail at his arraignment.
During the search warrant, police also located a woman with an outstanding warrant.
Melissa Pellegrini, 31, of 41 Highland Ave., was arrested on one warrant.
REFERRED TO ISD
Revere Police have referred one property owner at 810 North Shore Rd. to the Inspectional Services Department (ISD) for what appears to be an illegal rooming house, and have summonsed him to court for harassing tenants.
Police were called to the home on Friday around 9 p.m. for a disturbance, and reported they had been there several times prior.
Lt. Amy O’Hara said after an investigation, police decided to charge and summons the landlord to court for harassing tenants on the first floor, including a charge of breaking and entering for a misdemeanor. Meanwhile, while conducting the investigation, police believe they recovered an illegal rooming house and numerous people were staying in rooms with locks on the doors.
That matter was turned over to ISD for a full inspection.
Robert Calvo, 54, of 810 North Shore Rd., was charged with trespassing, breaking and entering in the night with intent to commit a misdemeanor and assault to intimidate.
BIT BY DOG
Animal Control is investigating a case where a man was bit on the arm by an escaped dog Sunday morning.
Around 8:30 a.m., police were called to Gladys Road, where a man reported being bit on the arm.
The owner of the dog told police that the dog had escaped through an open door in the front and had bit the man on the arm.
COCAINE, LOUD PARTY
A Chelsea man was arrested on early Saturday morning when a loud party at an apartment in the Chateau Richeau Apartments.
Officers reported to a complaint of noise around 2:46 a.m. on Belle Isle Avenue. In the parking lot, they discovered a car with its radio blaring and the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
Upon further investigation, one man was found to be wearing a court-ordered ankle bracelet and was in possession of cocaine.
Daniel Torres, 24, of 82 Clark Ave., was charged with possession of a Class C drug.
ARREST Report
MONDAY, APRIL 3
Wellida Machado, 33, of 237 Lantern Rd., was issued a summons for a charge of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
Geraldo Magelo Paulino, 30, of Boston, Â was issued a summons for a charge of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
Adam J. Condon, 31, of Beverly, was issued a summons for charges of attaching plates and permitting the operation of an uninsured motor vehicle. He also was cited for the civil motor vehicle infraction of an unregistered motor vehicle.
TUESDAY, APRIL 4
Melissa A. Pellegrini, 31, of 41 Highland St., was arrested on an outstanding warrant.
Batilus J. Gabriel, 34, of 41 Highland St., was arrested on a charge of illegal possession of a Class B controlled narcotic substance with in ten to distribute.
Bradley J. Hamman, 43, of 890 Winthrop Ave., was arrested on a  charge of assault & battery in a domestic situation.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5
Juan Patino, 26, of East Boston, was issued a summons for a charge of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
Henry Chacon, 30, of East Boston, was issued a summons for a charge of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
Sergio Torres-Ortiz, 27, of 1018 No. Shore Rd., was issued a summons for a charge of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. He also was cited for the civil motor vehicle infraction of a one-way violation.
James T. Wilson, 18, of 68 Ridge Rd., was issued a summons for a charge of operating a motor vehicle after his right to operate had been suspended. He also was cited for the civil motor vehicle infraction of a one-way violation.
Anthony A. Lungo, 40, of 44 Sherman St., was arrested on a charge of assault & battery in a domestic situation.
Christopher E. Kenney, 20, of 50 Fernwood Ave., was issued a summons for charges of making a threat to commit a crime and violating a domestic abuse prevention restraining order pursuant to c. 209A.
Edosa Abbey, 58, of Lynn, was issued a summons for a charge of larceny of property greater than $250.
THURSDAY, APRIL 6
Richard J. Markee Jr., 28, of 35 Glendale St., was issued a summons for charges of leaving the scene of an accident after causing personal injury and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.
Sydney Emmanuel Vasquez Orellan, 39, of Lynn, was issued a summons for a charges of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
FRIDAY, APRIL 7
Dennis A. Araujo, 27, of 454 Park Ave., was arrested on a charge of assault & battery in a domestic situation.
Lisa Rice, 31, of 156 Bow St., was arrested on an outstanding warrant and on a charge of shoplifting.
Travis Artist, 36, of Fitchburg, was arrested on an outstanding warrant and on a charge of larceny of property over $250.
Robert Calvo, 54, of 810 No. Shore Rd., was arrested on charges of trespassing, breaking & entering in the nighttime with intent to commit a misdemeanor, and assault with intent to intimidate.
SATURDAY, APRIL 8
Daniel Torres, 24, of Chelsea, was arrested on a charge of illegal possession of a Class C controlled narcotic substance.
Hernan Gavidia, 47, of 651 Beach St., was arrested on an outstanding warrant.
Richard J. Markee Jr., 28, of 35 Glendale St., was arrested on three outstanding warrants.
SUNDAY, APRIL 9
Johanna Zwicker, 25, of Danvers, was arrested on charges of rude & disorderly conduct in violation of the city ordinance, resisting arrest, and two counts of assault & battery upon a police officer.
Cheryl A. Sasso, 62, of 126 Garfield Ave., was issued a summons for a charge of shoplifting.
Tricia Gullion, 45, of 31 Hillside Ave., was arrested on an outstanding warrant and on a charge of shoplifting.
Kelly Baldomero Pojoy, 22, of Lynn, was issued a summons for a charge of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
