Libby arrest
On November 12, 2013, I was in full uniform and assigned along with Ofc Monaco in Somerville marked unit 199 (Special Operations). While traveling East on Broadway, a public way within the city of Somerville, I randomly queried the status of MA reg 581NJ2, a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The vehicle came back active, however, the owners license status came back SUSPENDED for OUI. Ofc Monaco activated the emergency lights and siren stopping the vehicle on Blakeley Ave at Mcgrath Hwy, both Public Ways within the City of Somerville. I identified the operator as the owner, Ms. Jennifer Libby DOB 12/29/1986 (OLN#S79682827). I placed Libby under arrest for the above listed offense. She was transported to the station in Somerville marked unit 200, operated by Officer Teves. She was booked in the usual manner by Lt. A. Rymill. The vehicle was towed from the scene by Pats tow. I issued Libby MA criminal Citation R3373336 for Operating after Suspension for OUI (90/23).

By William Tauro

Some sad news to report that Somerville Lions Club Past President, Robert Hayden has sadly passed away this past week.

Robert Joined the Somerville Lions Club in 1984 and later served as president of the club in 1998 and 1999.

Robert served his county during WWII in Tokyo Japan while in the United States Navy aboard the USS Cunningham.

Then after the war had ended, he became the Register of Voters for the town Arlington as well as the chairman for the Arlington Republican Committee for the past twenty years in that town.

Somerville Lions Club President-Formor Somerville Mayor Gene Brune along with other Somerville and Arlington Lions Clubs members paid their final respects at a graveside memorial service on Wednesday.

The U.S. Navel Honor Guard were also present as Robert Hayden was lay to rest at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Arlington MA.

Using Kickstarter-like crowdfunding service designed for governments, City Holiday Fundraiser seeks to help low-income residents access healthy foods

SOMERVILLE – The City of Somerville’s Mobile Farmers Market program needs your help—and a nifty online crowdfunding campaign makes it easy to give once during the holidays to provide meaningful help to low-income families all year.

Each week a truck carrying affordable fresh fruits and vegetables rolls up to Somerville’s two housing developments and a senior activity center and transforms parking lots into instant farmers markets with low prices that most struggling families can afford—but some still need more support. That’s why the Mobile Market, a program of Shape Up Somerville, offers matching funds for persons with demonstrated need, thereby doubling the purchasing power of low-income residents including those receiving SNAP and WIC support. But growing demand has already depleted the $5,000 in 2013 grant funding for the $10-$20 matching grants—just as federal cuts to food stamps programs are forcing families to make hard choices at the supermarket. By law, City funds cannot be used for the matching funds. So residents are being called on to donate to help fund the program through winter and next summer. Continue reading CITY, SHAPE UP SOMERVILLE KICK OFF “Citizinvestor” CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT MOBILE FARMERS MARKET SUBSIDY PROGRAM →

Annual Holiday Celebrations Kick off Thursday, Dec. 5 with Tree Lighting; Illuminations Tour to be Held Saturday, Dec. 14

SOMERVILLE – The holidays will come a little early to Somerville once again this year, with several celebrations planned throughout the month of December including the annual tree and Menorah lighting at City Hall, the Arts Council’s Illuminations Tour, and a first-ever “Holiday Arts and Eats” Festival at Assembly Row, sponsored by Federal Realty Investment Trust.

The City’s annual Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremony will take place Thursday, Dec. 5 on the City Hall Concourse, followed by a meet and greet with Santa Claus in the Somerville High School Highlander Café (atrium entrance). On Saturday, Dec. 14, residents and visitors are invited to the Somerville Arts Council’s Illuminations beginning at 4:30pm. The popular tour takes attendees aboard trolleys across the City to discover some of the most brightly decorated homes throughout the City for the holiday season. Residents interested in having their homes featured on the tour should contact the Somerville Arts Council at 617-625-6600 ext 2985 by Friday, Dec. 6.

The tree lighting ceremony will feature musical entertainment by: the Somerville High School Band and Orchestra; the Somerville Community Chorus; El Sistema Somerville; and grade four students from the Arthur D. Healey Elementary School. Special guest Santa Claus will be escorted by the Somerville Fire Department for the ceremony and will be available for photos following the tree lighting. All children attending the ceremony will also receive a gift from Santa.
The annual Illuminations Trolley Tour of East and Central Somerville is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 14, with tours departing from the City Hall Concourse beginning at 4:30 p.m. The 45-minute tours will showcase holiday light displays in our own Somerville. Tours leave from (and return to) Somerville City Hall where coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies are served. Entertainment at City Hall includes choral music and craft activities for children.

Trolley Tour tickets will be available at the Blue Cloud Gallery, 713 Broadway, beginning Monday, Dec. 2. Tickets are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children and seniors. For more information, visit http://www.somervilleartscouncil.org.

Adding to the holiday fun in Somerville this year, the City of Somerville will join Federal Realty Investment Trust for its first annual Holiday Arts and Eats Festival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6, 7, and 8. The festival will feature food trucks, a large holiday market including 60 artists, a 21+ event on Friday night and family-friendly activities and live music all weekend long. It will be hosted under a large heated tent at Assembly Row. For more information and schedules, visit http://www.assemblyrow.com/events .

For more information on the City’s holiday events, please contact Nancy Aylward at 617-625-6600 ext 2100.

Janeiro arrest

On November 12, 2013 at around 1pm, I was in full uniform on a paid detail assignment at the intersection of School and Medford Street ,Somerville. At that time, I observed an individual identified as Patrick Janeiro, near a white Chevy Traverse with Ma registration , parked at the intersection of School and Montrose Street, one block away from where I was positioned.Mr. Janeiro was riding a bycicle and pulled right next to the Traverse (Ma ). He later leaned the bycicle on a nearby fence and attempted to view the contents inside the motor vehicle. I placed myself out of Mr. Janeiro’s view, and observed him pull the rear passenger door of the Traverse open, and rifled through the contents on the back seat. He later opened the front passenger door and repeated the same behavior.
Mr. Janeiro appeared to have placed something in his jacket pocket and walked away from the vehicle. I made my way to Mr. Janeiro’s location and placed him in custody. The owner of the Traverse was identified as a . v did not immediately notice anything missing from her vehicle. Nothing was found in Mr. Janeiro’s jacket pockets

I later observed a Staples Reward’s card ( on the ground right next to where Defendant Janeiro was standing. v said the card was her property and she left it in the middle console of the vehicle. She also said she left the Traverse unlocked. It appeared that Defendant Janeiro removed the card from the vehicle.

Mr. Janeiro was transported to Somerville Police Headquarters where he was booked by Sergeant John Marino. He was charged with the crime of Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle in The Daytime to Commit a Felony (MGL Ch 266 s18).

Angulo arrest

The members of the Somerville Police Department Drug/ Vice Control Unit have been conducting an ongoing investigation regarding the criminal offense of sexual conduct for a fee. As an investigative tool the monitoring of various classified advertisements utilized to solicit sexual services is routinely conducted, in an attempt to curb the illegal sex trade in our city.

On November 14th the aforementioned advertisements were again monitored by members of the Somerville Police Department Drug / Vice Control Unit. While perusing through the assorted advertisements, an advertisement offering transsexual sexual services for a fee was observed. Insp. James Hyde responded to the advertisement via cellular telephone number (AKA Claudia). A female/male later identified as Mr. William Angulo quoted Insp. Hyde a fee of $200.00 per hour for sexual services. Ms/Mr. William Angulo also instructed Insp. Hyde to call him/her when he arrived at the hotel located at 30 Washington St. Somerville. Insp. Hyde called Ms/Mr. Angulo once he arrived at the hotel and she instructed him to go to room #500. Detectives Ariel Collazo, Detective James McNallly and I, Detective Shackelford set up surveillance within the hotel.

Upon his arrival to room #500, Ms/Mr. Angulo opened door #500. Ms/Mr. Angulo invited Insp. Hyde to enter the room. It was noted at this time Ms/Mr. Angulo was dressed in provocative attire. Once inside the room, Ms/Mr. Angulo displayed his/her breasts and encouraged Insp. Hyde to disrobe. At this time Ms/Mr Angulo attempted to submerge Insp. Hyde face between her exposed breasts. Ms/Mr Angulo proceeded to digitally grope Insp. James Hyde genitalia region. Ms/Mr Angulo conversed regarding anticipated sexual tryst and told Insp. Hyde he/she was equipped to do so having sexual protection ( condom ) available. Insp. Hyde as instructed by Ms/Mr Angulo placed a payment of $200.00 on a table currency which was monies drawn from the Somerville Police Investigative fund for one hour of sexual service. Ms/Mr Angulo proceeded to digitally display his/her anus and penal area.

Insp. James Hyde via a pre-arranged signal notified members of the entry team to enter the room and place the defendant Ms/Mr. Angulo under arrest.

Detective Hyde turned into evidence seven Condoms (various styles).

Ms/Mr. Angulo was transported to the Somerville Police Station via Somerville Marked Unit 200, Officer DeOliveira to be booked by, Sgt. DeGregorio.

Daniel Arrest

I was working in uniformed patrol in car East Two.I responded to a call for a man flipping out in the CPCU Credit Union.Upon my arrival the suspect had all ready left. I spoke with witness1witness 2and witness 3about the incident. I also have video and pictures from the video of the incident.
w1 stated that Mr. Daniel who regularly comes into the Credit Union,
as he was entering the Credit Union kicked in the bottom glass to the foyer door.
The Credit Union was open for business at this time. He then walked up to w2 and yelled that she had hung up on him. He had called earlier asking about his parents accounts,she had to put him on hold to answer another call,when she was able to get back to him he was no longer on the line.
w3 who is the Branch Manager heard the commotion and came out of her office.She saw that he was in an agitated state and that he was frightening her employees.Tiago Daniel told her that he could pay for the damage and that he could buy the bank and he could fight a hundred guys,he then turned and punched a framed picture breaking the glass and damaging the frame.
The panic alarm had been activated ,and also w1 who was upstairs was called and he came downstairs and stood between Tiago Daniel and the Credit Union employees. w1 heard Tiago Daniel say he could kick ass,fight one hundred guys . w1 said no one is going to fight we have called the police
Mr. Daniel then started emptying his pockets saying I have a lawyer and I can pay,he then handed w1 is business card and left the Credit union.
Mr. Daniel turned himself into the Police department where I placed him under arrest for Malicious Destruction of Property over 250> and for disturbing the peace.

The Somerville Mobile Farmers’ Market has been providing matching funds to low income customers to help boost their spending power. This matching progr…am has helped many residents provide fresh produce to their families, but its popularity has depleted the grant funding that was used for the match. This holiday season, we’ve teamed up with Citizinvestor to help crowdfund the Mobile Market matching program.

Over the next 60 days, we hope to raise $3,000. Those funds will be used at the market throughout the year to help keep nutritious food on plates around the city. If you are interested in making a donation, or would like to learn more about the Mobile Market please visit: http://www.citizinvestor.com/project/somerville-mobile-farmers-market.

We also need your help spreading the word about this campaign, so please share widely. Even a small donation can make a big difference in what foods a family can afford.

Rodrigues Arrest

On November 14, 2003 at approx. 9:20 PM while in marked unit Special Operations 199. Officer Tim Sullivan queried MA Reg travelling east on Broadway at School Street, both streets are public ways within the City of Somerville. The listing came back active but the registered owner, Julien Restrepo had an active default warrant for his arrest and the inspection sticker on the vehicle was expired. We activated our blue lights and stopped the vehicle at Broadway and Walnut St. I approached the vehicle and asked the driver, Julien Restrepo for his license and registration and explained why I had stopped him. At this time Detectives Jim Hyde and Ariel Collazo acting as back-up approached the vehicle. Could smell a strong odor of FRESH UNBURNT marijuana emitting from this vehicle. Officer Sullivan and both Detectives concurred with this finding when I asked them if they also smelled the unburnt marijuana odor. Continue reading Real Life Somerville Police Stories →

Mendes arrest

The following is a brief summary pertaining to Incident #13042654:
On Thursday, November 14, 2013, I was working in marked unit East-1. At approximately 12:50 P.M. I was traveling east on Mystic Avenue towards Temple Street. As I turned right onto Temple Street I noticed a dark colored Volkswagon bearing Massachusetts registration . As I drove past this vehicle I randomly queried this registration via my cruiser laptop. I looked into the window of the vehicle and saw three males inside. The operator was known to me as Mr. Robert Lara. I had just encountered Mr. Lara less than a month ago in the passenger side of a red Ford Explorer. As I continued driving up Temple Street the results of my registration query returned and revealed that the plates belonged to a red Ford Explorer. The vehicle was registered to a . I remembered that it was who I had previously stopped on October 22, 2013 with Mr. Lara sitting in the passenger side of the Explorer and two other people seated in the back. I turned my cruiser around in an attempt to stop the Volkswagon. As I could now see the Volkswagon traveling along Mystic Avenue, I turned on my emergency blue lights and siren and subsequently stopped the Volkswagon on Mystic Avenue near Shore Drive, all public ways in the city of Somerville. I would note it took several seconds for the vehicle to pull over after my initial attempt to stop the Volkswagon.

As I walked up to the Volkswagon I could smell an intense smell of fresh marijuana. Continue reading Real Life Somerville Police Stories →

Santana arrest

On November 12th, 2013, I Detective Kevin Shackelford along with Detectives Sgt. David Monte, James Hyde, Ariel Collazo and Detective McNally were working plain clothes in an undercover capacity as, Narcotics Detectives.
At approximately 1:15pm, I had initiated surveillance in the Home Depot parking located at 75 Mystic Ave. Somerville. This area has been a known narcotics “hot spot” and has been the focus of prior narcotics related investigations (surveillance) which have resulted in numerous arrests. There has also been several Heroin related overdoses in parked motor vehicles in the past. Continue reading Real Life Somerville Police Stories →

Our condolences to the Campo family on the loss of their dad, Robert Campo. Many of us here in the Ville knew him as Bobby, who was a good man, a good fathers and good friends to many of us here in and around Somerville. Robert was a former elected city tax assessors for the City of Somerville and he will be sadly missed.
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Jim Legee celebrated his eighty eighth birthday with a birthday bash thrown in his honor at the LaHasenda Restaurant in Somerville with dozens of family, friends and former co-workers in attendance this past Sunday. Jim also worked as a building inspector for the City of Somerville back in the late 70s during the Brune administration. Jim is also a war veteran who fought in the Battle of the bulge and who was recently decorated for his military service for his country by the Somerville Veteran’s Services Department. We here at the Somerville News Weekly wish Jim all the best on his birthday with many more happy birthdays to come!
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More birthday parties and greetings out there hovering around the Ville are Al Baldasaro, Gabriella Correia, Kimmie Moss, Sara Steel, Jimmy Veneziano, Judy Meredith, Carlos Moreno and Happy 14th birthday to Janelle Hamel, Joe Hamel’s beautiful daughter.
If there are any Villen Birthdays out there are that we missed, well it’s your own fault for not letting us know. But just in case, Happy Birthday to all across-the-board from The Somerville News Weekly!
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We would like to take this opportunity again to thank all of our devoted readers out there for putting us on top again! As many of you know that we have received our 3000th Facebook like this past week on Facebook and we are well on our way to 4000th Facebook like by next weekend. So thank you so much for your support, its much appreciated! Continue reading Here’s Your Weekly Dose of The Somerville News Weekly Newstalk Shout Out for November 19th, 2013 →

Pierre arrest

On November 13, 2013, I received an incident report from A victim, a teacher at Somerville High School.

Her report states, (On November 12, 2013) “At approximately 2:45, Lorreno Pierre came into my office (259). I was sitting in my chair working/typing at my computer. Lorreno asked me if I had any Halloween candy. The question stemmed from a discussion that we had the previous week about Halloween. I mentioned that I was bringing in the extra candy for the teachers.

I answered Lorreno’s question that I did have a bag of candy on the table and that he could grab a couple of pieces. Lorreno said, ‘thanks.’ Our conversation ended and I turned away from him. I proceeded to work and type on my computer. A second later I noticed Lorreno approach me from behind. I was sitting facing my computer, in my chair. Lorreno came behind my chair and wrapped his arms around my chair and touched the side of my arms. I began to curl down when I felt his arms. His hands lightly grabbed my chest and I tightened up. He released his grip and I stared at him awkwardly. I couldn’t speak. Lorreno walked to the other side of the office and said to my student teacher, that he ‘wanted to marry me.’

After Lorreno left, I called at 3:00 P.M. to report the incident. I thought was Lorreno’s Housemaster, but he referred me to who is Lorreno’s Housemaster. I reported the incident to at 3:17 pm.”

I spoke to on 11/13/13 in the Head Master’s office. was present for the meeting. recounted the events she detailed in her incident report. She made it clear that Lorreno’s action of touching her was inappropriate and unwelcome.

After speaking to , I contacted Lorreno’s House Master, . went to classroom #336 and brought Lorreno Pierre to the Head Master’s conference room.

In the conference room, I told Mr. Pierre what he was accused of. I gave him his Miranda Rights. He acknowledged he understood his rights. He then exercised his right to remain silent. I asked no questions of Mr. Pierre.

I placed Lorreno Pierre into custody and called for car 200, officer T. Gardner, to transport him to the police station. While waiting for car 200, Lorreno stated, “I gave her a hug, that’s all I did.”

Officer T. Gardner arrived shortly thereafter. Officer Gardner patted down Mr. Pierre before seating him car 200. Officer Gardner recovered a folding knife from his coat pocket and handed it to me. The knife had a black handle and a four inch blade. Lorreno Pierre was transported to the station and booked by Lt. C. Vivolo.

On 11/18/2013, at approximately 11:35 PM, a female victim reported that while walking home alone in the Porter Square area, she was grabbed from behind by an unknown male. The male assailant was described as 5″ 9″ with short straight hair . Male had on a black jacket with collar, baggy pants and nice shoes. The attacker attempted to sexually assault her. The victim screamed; at which point her attacker fled north on Porter Street towards Summer Street. The victim was not injured.

We are asking anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious, or anyone who has information about this incident, to please contact Somerville Police Detectives at 617 625-1600, extension 7224.

We all need to remain vigilant and take personal safety measures, especially when walking alone.

As a reminder, if you see a crime in progress, or see anything or anyone acting suspicious, please call 911 immediately.

– If possible, never walk alone, particularly after dark.
– Avoid distractions like air buds or headphones.
– Walk in well-lit areas.
– Avoid short cuts that take you into dark areas.
– Keep your cell phone handy at all times.
– Download a location app on your phone so that it may be traceable if stolen.

By William Tauro

This past Tuesday the Somerville Lions Club President Gene Brune presented Melissa McGovern, a Somerville High School graduate and now a freshman at UMass Lowell, a check for one thousand dollars from the James Goddard Scholarship Foundation.

Melissa was a member of the National Honor Society, she was in the top 10% of her class excellent academic record at Somerville High School (SHS).

Also at SHS she was involved with athletics in volleyball as captain for 4 years, basketball for 4 years and softball for 4 years as captain.

Melissa was also involved in community service with the Somerville Pride Basketball Leaque, KiwanisThanksgiving Program for 4 years, Brian Higgins Tricia Night for 6 years and the Somerville Recreation Road Race for 4 years.

While she is attending UMass at Lowell she is currently studying Exercise Physiology in goal of receiving a Doctorate of Physical Therapy.

The Lions Club Scholarship Fund is in memory of James Goddard, a former secretary of the Somerville Lions Club.

Melissa also received Thanksgiving turkey from the Somerville Lions Club and a scholarship from the Kiwanis Club as well.

Photo L to R::
Lion’s Paul Calnan District Governor, Somerville Lions President Gene Brune, SHS Scholarship Foundation David O’Brian, Melissa McGovern, Melissa’s mom Cheryl McGovern, Melissa’s dad Michael McGovern and Lion’s Louise Kirkpatrick Cabinet Secretary Treasurer