In the past week police made 18 motor vehicle stops, resulting in four verbal warnings, nine written warnings, and four civil citations, which carry fines. They also received one false burglar alarm. But there were no disabled vehicles on the roads, and no one seems to have been locked out of their car.
The Ambulance Service responded to 13 calls and transported six patients to the hospital, three with Advanced Life Support onboard. Four of the calls resulted from motor vehicle collisions; there were no lift assists.
Tuesday, Feb. 7
At 3:36 p.m. a caller reported a loose dog with Bolton tags on Stow Road, so the Bolton animal control officer was notified. At 5:24 p.m. a resident called about a springer spaniel roaming near Lancaster County Road, and the Harvard animal control officer was called. Around 9:20 p.m. police noted that roads around town were becoming slick and notified the Department of Public Works, which was already at work treating the streets. A second notification about road hazards was issued at 10:03 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 8
At 12:49 p.m. a caller reported colliding with a school bus; police said the bus driver overshot a regular stop and began to back up, hitting the car that was driving behind the bus. No one was injured, but the car was towed. At 8:19 p.m. someone called 911 about the occupants of two cars at the Prospect Hill overlook; the caller said they were being noisy and firing BB guns. Police found the people were shooting Airsoft guns, which look very realistic but fire plastic pellets; officers told the group to move along.
Thursday, Feb. 9
At 9:19 a.m. an officer stopped a speeding car on Still River Road and found the driver was unlicensed and had four outstanding warrants; the 35-year-old Clinton man was arrested and taken to Clinton District Court. At 7:12 p.m. a 911 caller reported concerns about a man in a car behind several parked cars at the Dunkin’ Donuts on Ayer Road. Police found the 53-year-old Reading man had passed out; he was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, it being his fourth or more such offense.
Friday, Feb. 10
At 7:12 a.m. a Woodside Road resident reported receiving harassing online messages from someone claiming to be a federal agent; police warned the sender to desist. At 7:45 a.m. police received a 911 call about a two-car collision near the intersection of Mass. Ave. and Stow Road; two people were injured. An officer said solar glare was a factor. At 3:45 p.m. a 911 caller reported a tree or wire down on Stow Road. At 5:58 p.m. a caller reported a deer at the side of Still River Road; an officer approached the animal, which seemed dazed but was able to run off.
Saturday, Feb. 11
At 5:29 p.m. a neighbor noticed water coming from a garage on Deerfoot Trail; a police officer located an unlocked door that enabled firefighters to enter the house, find a burst pipe, and shut off the water and electricity.
Sunday, Feb. 12
At 11:53 a.m. an Ayer Road resident called to report a case of unemployment compensation fraud. This is the second such case in the past two weeks, which seems to suggest fraudsters are resorting to this type of scam again.
Monday, Feb. 13
At 4:47 p.m. a 911 caller reported a one-car crash on Stow Road. Police say the driver had earlier hit a street sign, which he then picked up and put in his car. When he made a sharp turn, the sign shifted in the car and struck his head, which caused him to drive off the road; he refused ambulance transport.
The police log is written by a Harvard Press reporter based on information gleaned from daily police logs and interviews with police staff. Decisions to publish or withhold the names of people arrested will be based on our need to balance the privacy of individuals with our responsibility to report news of significance.
