Holbrook Police Share Halloween Safety Tips

HOLBROOK — With Halloween around the corner, Chief William J. Smith and the Holbrook Police Department are reminding residents of several important safety tips as families get ready to take their children trick-or-treating this year.

“While we want the community to enjoy their Halloween festivities this year, safety remains our number one priority,” Chief Smith said. “We strongly advise that residents follow the tips provided and report anything suspicious to the police department right away.”

Halloween, which is celebrated on Oct. 31, falls on a Tuesday this year. Trick-or-treating hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Holbrook Police will have extra officers on patrol during this time to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents.

Police also remind residents to use caution as they celebrate the weekend prior to Halloween, Oct. 27-29.

Children should:

Only approach well-lit houses in familiar neighborhoods and always travel in small groups

Bring treats home before eating them so parents can inspect them

Wear clothing that is bright, reflective and flame retardant

Use flashlights for guidance on sidewalks, walkways and when crossing the street

Make sure masks have eye-holes large enough to see any tripping hazards or oncoming traffic, and mouth openings large enough to breathe easily

Practice safe street-crossing by using crosswalks and walk signals

Wear sturdy shoes and temperature appropriate clothing under costumes

Parents and guardians should:

Supervise children under 12 years old

Establish a designated curfew for older children

Make sure children are wearing safe costumes that fit well and don’t drag on the ground

Apply reflective tape to your child’s arms, legs and treat bags

Assure costume accessories such as swords and other pointed objects are made with soft and safe materials

If driving children between houses and neighborhoods, have them get out of cars on the curbside, not on the traffic side.

Homeowners should:

Keep inside and outside lights on during trick-or-treat hours

Avoid placing lit candles and jack-o-lanterns on doorsteps and walkways where costumes could brush against them and cause burns or fire

Only hand out candy that is packaged and wrapped

Avoid handing out small toys that could cause choking or lead poisoning for small children

Additionally, any suspicious person or vehicle should immediately be reported to the Holbrook Police Department by calling 781-767-1212.

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Town of Holbrook
Emergency Communications Department
300 South Franklin St.
Holbrook, MA 02343

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Norfolk County Regional Public Safety Answering Point Receives Grant for Expansion

HOLBROOK – The Town of Holbrook Emergency Communications Department is pleased to announce that the Norfolk County Regional Public Safety Answering Point (NC-RPSAP) has received a grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and the State 911 Department for the expansion of its regional communications facility.

The Norfolk County Regional Public Safety Answering Point received a $1.2 million grant that will fund an expansion to its existing facility and assume dispatch responsibility for the Town of Rockland. (Courtesy Photo)

The regional communications center received the $1.2 million grant in September, which will help fund an addition to the existing Holbrook Public Safety Building that currently houses the NC-RPSAP, as well as the equipment necessary to assume dispatch responsibilities for the Rockland Police and Fire Departments.

The Norfolk County Regional Public Safety Answering Point currently includes the member communities of Abington, Canton, Holbrook, Rockland, Sharon and Whitman. Additionally, the NC-RPSAP serves as Norfolk County Fire Control and as the host of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Fire Services and HAZMAT EAST Control Point.

The planned 5,260 square foot expansion will provide space for up to 12 dispatch consoles and dramatically increase the equipment room space available for any future equipment upgrades. Additionally, the grant will fund upgrades to the Rockland Police and Fire Department’s radio infrastructure, the fire alarm reporting system, construction design and planning, project management, a new computer-aided dispatch system and a new records management system for Rockland Police and Fire.

“We are attempting to integrate each of our member community’s communications services into a consolidated facility that can support our increasing call volume as well as take on additional towns who want to regionalize their dispatch services,” said Stephan Hooke, Holbrook Public Safety Director of Communications. “We are excited to continue moving forward with the project and to welcome the Town of Rockland as a member community.”

An improved regional communications center will increase public safety preparedness response and operational benefits, enhance the array of services provided to dispatch entities, and increase the capacity for coordination of local and regional police, fire and EMS resources, including response to routine events and major disasters.

The NC-RPSAP has already begun ordering equipment and meeting with vendors and architects for estimates on the project, and plans to assume dispatch services for the Town of Rockland in June. They will also apply for an additional grant in April that will fund construction of the new space and hope to break ground next fall.

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