News

May is National Water Safety Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about boating and swimming safety. According to the American Red Cross, about 4,000 people die from unintentional drowning each year, which is an average of 11 deaths per day. During 2023, the American Coast Guard reported 3,844 boating accidents that resulted in 564 deaths and 2,126 injuries.

National Water Safety Month aims to educate people about the importance of safe swimming and boating through tips and resources. 

The U.S. Coast Guard observes National Boating Safety Week this year from May 17-23, starting the weekend before Memorial Day, to encourage safe boating habits. Their campaign shares the importance of habits like wearing a life jacket, getting a free vessel safety check from the Coast Guard and being aware of weather conditions before leaving the shore. For more information, visit safeboatingcampaign.com

Motorcycle Safety Month is observed every year in May. As the weather gets warmer and more motorcyclists are on the road, the initiative raises awareness of road safety for motorcyclists and those who share the road with them. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that, in 2023, the most recent full year of data, 6,335 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes, representing 15% of all traffic fatalities.

The American Motorcycle Association encourages passenger car drivers and motorcyclists to work together on the road to create a safe driving environment. All drivers should avoid distracted driving by focusing on the road and ignoring distractions such as cellphone use, adjusting the radio or GPS. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/Motorcycle-Safety

SWANSEA — Chief Mark Foley reports that the Swansea Police Department arrested a man who allegedly filmed a teenager who was dressing in a fitting room at a local business.

JOHN MICHAEL WILLIAMS, AGE 25, of SWANSEA, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with:

Photographing Sexual or Intimate Parts of a Child
Possession of Child Pornography
Disorderly Conduct

On Monday, April 28, at approximately 8 p.m., Swansea Police responded to Target at 579 Grand Army of the Republic Highway after receiving a report that a 17-year-old female was filmed in the dressing room.

Through the subsequent investigation, it was determined that a man, later identified as WILLIAMS, had filmed the female, who was nude while changing in the fitting room, with his cellphone.

As a result of an investigation, which included reviewing surveillance video and making images of the suspect public via social media, Swansea Police Detectives Jonathan Furtado and Charles Rowland and Officer Scott Stavens identified WILLIAMS as the suspect with the assistance of tips from the public. He was arrested on Wednesday evening at a Swansea residence and taken to the Swansea Police Department to be booked.

WILLIAMS’ cellphone was seized as evidence.

WILLIAMS is expected to be arraigned Thursday in Fall River District Court.

“This kind of invasive and disturbing behavior has no place in our community,” Chief Foley said. “We take incidents like this very seriously and will always work to protect the most vulnerable members of our community. I’m proud of the swift and diligent work of our Detectives, Furtado and Rowland, and Officer Stavens. They acted quickly and conducted a thorough investigation that resulted in the identification and arrest of the suspect.”

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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The Swansea Police Department is proud to announce the implementation of the Blue Envelope Program, an initiative that represents a collaborative effort aimed at fostering a safer and more understanding environment for drivers with autism spectrum disorder.

This program originated from a partnership among the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, the Massachusetts State Police, Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts and The Arc of Massachusetts, with input from individuals with autism and their families. 

The program provides individuals with a blue envelope that they can keep in their vehicles in the event of a traffic stop or interaction with law enforcement. The specially designed envelope holds a driver’s essential documents — license, registration and a contact card — and is recognizable by trained law enforcement. Instructions for both the driver and the officer conducting the motor vehicle stop are printed on the envelope to reinforce calm, positive interactions between drivers with autism and police officers.

Participation in this program is strictly voluntary for drivers with autism spectrum disorder. 

The Swansea Police Department has a limited number of envelopes available at the station at 1700 G.A.R. Highway. People can also request the envelopes in person at a Massachusetts State Police barracks or online through Mass.gov.

SWANSEA — Chief Mark Foley is pleased to announce that the Swansea Police Department will wear a commemorative patch throughout April to show support for those living on the autism spectrum. 

The Swansea Police Department is participating in the Police Patch Fundraising Initiative for Autism Acceptance in partnership with the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. 

The patch, which will be worn by Swansea officers, will also be available to community members who donate at least $10 to the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. 

Patches can be purchased through Swansea Police’s Autism Police Patch Initiative website.

All proceeds raised will be reinvested in the Flutie Foundation’s safety programs, which focus on keeping people and families affected by autism safe in their communities.

The Swansea Police Department is committed to full inclusion for all of the Town’s residents, including those affected by autism. The Police Patch Initiative strives to bring acceptance and awareness for all families within the community, and to be a source of support by funding, mentoring, educating, and collaborating with individuals, first responders, and community and school organizations.

The Flutie Foundation provides financial assistance for families caring for a loved one with autism and educates the public about autism spectrum disorder.

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Distracted Driving Awareness Month, observed every April, is an opportunity to remind drivers of the importance of focused and safe driving. The month aims to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving to everyone on the road, including drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

In 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that an estimated 3,308 people were killed and an additional 289,310 people were injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers.

When behind the wheel, drivers should focus only on the task at hand by keeping their eyes on the road, both hands on the wheel, and their attention on driving. Distracted driving is any activity that takes your attention away from driving, including using a phone, adjusting the radio or GPS, applying makeup, eating, or drinking.

For more tips and information on distracted driving from the NHTSA, visit: https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving

BEWARE OF ICE! During the winter months, it can be tempting to venture out onto frozen waterways, but we urge caution and remind residents that no ice is 100% safe ice. You should always consider ice potentially dangerous, as it’sRead More