Traffic Light Change Due to Number of Car Crashes

Police Chief to add strobes to the red lights at the intersection of North Meadows Road (Route 27) and West Street after a marked increase in car accidents in that area.

  Soon residents will see something different at the intersection of Route 27 and West Street -- strobes inside the red lights. That intersection has seen its fair share of accidents over the years but the frequency has increased, particularly in the last four to six weeks.  Medfield Police Chief Robert Meaney Jr. said, That particular intersection has been an issue since it opened in the early to mid 1970s. It does not make sense, since the intersection is very open -- no significant trees or shrubs, no signs blocking the view and no buildings close to the road that would interfere with sight lines. He said the motor vehicle crashes that occur at that intersection tend to be more serious because of the speed limits on Route 27/North …

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Are House-Breaks Related?

In this column, you ask a question and Patch tries to find the answer.

Yesterday we reported that, on Thanksgiving Day, at 4:34 a.m., there was an attempted break-in on Hearthstone Drive. You asked: Is this related to last month's break-ins?  Medfield Patch spoke with Medfield Police Chief Robert Meaney Jr. who said the incidents do not appear to be connected to the October break-ins.   "The homeowner’s were away at the time of the break," Meaney said. "The police were alerted to the incident when the alarm company called to let us know an alarm was coming from the residence." He said, "Responding officers found a pane of glass on the front door broken. It does not appear that anything was taken from the house. We do not believe that this break is related to two others that occurred earlier this fall." …

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Police Chief Warns: Lock Your Vehicle

In this column, you ask and Patch answers. Last week's police logs indicated several break-ins in cars in Belknap Estates. Hear what Police Chief Robert Meaney Jr. says you can do to prevent theft from your vehicle.

After a rash of recent car breaks in the Belknap Estates neighborhood -- Belknap Road, Hearthstone Drive, Ledgetree Road, Wildwood Drive -- Medfield Police Chief Robert Meaney Jr. warns residents to lock their cars.  "Always lock your vehicle, whether you are at work, running errands around town, at an area mall, the movies or in your own driveway," said Meaney. "Most of the time, people do not want to attract attention by breaking into your car so if the car is locked, they will move onto the next car or driveway." However, Meaney said, if you have something of value in plain sight, a thief might consider the risk of gaining attention if the item is of significant value, "so leaving a computer, wallet or pocketbook in a car in your …

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Selectmen Review FY13 Budget Requests for Medfield Police, Fire

The Board of Selectmen have started to review each department's budget as the board prepares to make a recommendation to Town Meeting regarding FY13. Last week, the selectmen reviewed budgets for the fire and police departments.

It's budget season in Medfield and the Board of Selectmen have started to meet with department heads regarding their fiscal year 2013 budget requests. Last week, the board reviewed the fire and police budgets, most of which included an increase – notably an $8,400 increase for longevity payments within the fire department; and a $33,631 increase at the police department for a two percent salary increase for personnel. Fire - Rescue (including Ambulance) Medfield Fire Chief William Kingsbury has proposed an $8,400 increase in the FY13 Fire-Rescue (and ambulance) budget. “Salaries went up by $3,400 because of changes in longevity payments and he wants to provide increases for two promotions that he would like to make during the year,” said …

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Meeting Notes: Citation and Accident Reports, Medfield Day and State Hospital Update

The Medfield Board of Selectmen met Tuesday, Aug. 2 in the Chenery Room of Town Hall. Here's an overview of what was discussed.

Medfield Chief of Police Robert E. Meaney Jr. presented the town’s citation and accident statistics to the Board of Selectmen Tuesday at the request of selectman Ann Thompson. Meaney presented statistics for citations, motor vehicle crashes, OUI arrests and regular arrests from January to August over a three-year span, beginning in 2009. Here’s what the chief reported: Meaney said the significant increase in arrests made is likely linked to the data terminals officers now use in their cruisers to check for uninsured or unlicensed operation of vehicles. “As opposed to just being able to look at the inspection sticker or try to grab the color of the small decal on the plate, [officers] can simply run the plate [with data terminals],” Meaney …

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Two More Car Break-ins Reported to Medfield Police Last Week

Medfield Police received more calls of car break-ins in town last week and reminds residents to secure their valuables.

With two more car break-ins reported last week (July 25-29), Medfield Chief of Police Robert E. Meaney Jr. said it is important for residents to secure their valuables. “We had more car breaks and garages entered [last week],” said Meaney. “Even in Medfield, it is important to not leave valuables in an unlocked car and if the car is locked, the valuables should be out of sight. Garage doors should be closed whenever possible and locked when you are not home.” A woman from Planting Field Road went into the Medfield Police station on Monday, July 25 at 11:37 a.m. to report some time Saturday night (July 23) and Sunday morning (July 24), someone went into her garage through the side door and took $170 from her pocketbook that was inside her …

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String of Car Break-ins Reported to Medfield Police

Medfield Police received five calls from residents at Granite Street, Forest Street and Oriole Road last week about an individual going through their cars, according to police reports.

Medfield Police received five calls last week from residents reporting their vehicles had been gone through and in some cases items taken, according to police reports. Medfield Chief of Police Robert Meaney Jr. said the string of car-breaks was “probably all related” and this type of crime typically occurs once or twice a year. “[This occurs] usually in warmer months,” Meaney said. “They are crimes of opportunity because the cars are unlocked, often with items of value in view.” Four of the five calls reporting breaking and entering a motor vehicle came into the station on Friday, July 22. Medfield Police received the other call on Tuesday, July 19, according to police reports. Reports of Car Break-ins: Meaney said money from the console …

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Daily PatchCast

PatchCast: High School Addition, Police Chief and Lacrosse

A region roundup of news for Friday, April 1.

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