More than 1,600 Bay State motorists cited for breaking [...]]]> Boston Herald: Cops pushed around on move-over law.

“It’s not taken seriously by the courts and maybe it’s not being respected by the public and it’s my troopers and emergency workers who are at risk,” - Rick Brown, president of the State Police Association of Massachusetts.

More than 1,600 Bay State motorists cited for breaking the highly touted move-over law – and jeopardizing the lives of state and local cops – have beat the reckless driving rap in court despite aggressive ticketing efforts by cops, a Herald review has found.
The shocking new numbers come after two troopers were struck by holiday motorists over the weekend and two weeks after state police Sgt. Douglas Weddleton was killed…

…Officers have handed out 3,792 citations as of March, RMV figures show. Of those citations, 40 percent or 1,509 drivers have been found responsible and paid the $100 fine, while 1,613 drivers beat the ticket, figures show. The remaining 680 citations were entered as defaults or are still pending before the court, the RMV said.

At approximately 1:30 am this morning Sergeant Douglas A. Weddleton assigned to State Police Foxboro was struck and killed by a vehicle while outside his cruiser during a stop of a suspected impaired driver on Rt. 95 North in Mansfield.

Sergeant Weddleton, 52 of Brockton, is a member of the 65th R.T.T. who began his career [...]]]>

At approximately 1:30 am this morning Sergeant Douglas A. Weddleton assigned to State Police Foxboro was struck and killed by a vehicle while outside his cruiser during a stop of a suspected impaired driver on Rt. 95 North in Mansfield.

Sergeant Weddleton, 52 of Brockton, is a member of the 65^th R.T.T. who began his career in Troop D in May 1983. Sergeant Weddleton spent most of his career assigned to the Firearms Identification Section from 1993 to 2008 before recently transferring to Troop H. Sergeant Weddleton is survived by his wife Judith and four sons Stephen, 26, Mark 23, Ross, 18, and Matthew, 14.

Sergeant Weddleton was a highly respected and esteemed member of the Department known for his expertise as a ballistician and for being a supportive, friendly, and hard working supervisor in the Division of Field Services and Division of Investigative Services. Sergeant Weddleton will be sorely missed by all those who have had the privilege of working with him over his 27 years with the State Police. We are profoundly grateful for his service and sacrifice.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Sergeant Weddleton’s family, friends, and co-workers as they mourn their tragic loss. In the coming days we will do our best to support his family and to acknowledge his service to the Commonwealth and the ultimate sacrifice he made in fulfilling his duties as a state police officer.

Boston Herald: Authorities: Drunk driver killed veteran trooper

Anthony Perry, 45, of Hyde Park is led into Attleboro District Court to face charges of motor vehicle homicide Friday. (Boston Herald Photo)

…Col. Marian McGovern said Trooper Doug Weddleton, 52, was in full uniform and wearing a safety vest at about 1:20 a.m. at the detail on I-95 in Mansfield when he pulled over the driver of an Acura who was weaving on the roadway. As he spoke with that driver – identified as Kenneth Weiand, 43, of Walpole – another driver, Anthony Perry, 45, of Hyde Park allegedly smashed a Ford truck into the Acura, which dragged Weddleton across three lanes, McGovern said.

Perry faces charges of negligent motor vehicle homicide, operating under the influence, negligent operation, speeding and violating the “move over” law. Additional charges are possible pending the results of the investigation. Weiand, who authorities said refused to take a Breathalyzer test, is charged with OUI.

Both Perry and Weiand have lengthy driving records. Perry had his license suspended and reinstated twice during the 1980s and early 1990s. His record includes six surchargeable accidents, several speeding tickets and twice failing to stop for police.

DANVERS — When the state changed the law to let civilian flaggers work traffic details, it was expected to save money.

It’s hard to see where there will be savings, however, on the three-year project to [...]]]> Civilian flaggers cost state more cash: Mass. to pay $54/hour for Route 128 workers

By Bruno Matarazzo Jr. and Alan Burke
Staff Writers
http://www.salemnews.com/punews/local_story_081183507.html

Copy By: Elizabeth Roman / Masslive

January 31, 2010, 5:14PM

Troopers Jonathan Nugent and Matthew Simpson secure an infant in a warm cruiser after it was removed from a car involved in a late night vehicle pursuit. (Photo by the State Police Association of Massachusetts)

HOLYOKE – Two Hartford men were arrested [...]]]> Photo: State Police Association of Massachusetts

Copy By: Elizabeth Roman / Masslive

January 31, 2010, 5:14PM

Troopers Jonathan Nugent and Matthew Simpson secure an infant in a warm cruiser after it was removed from a car involved in a late night vehicle pursuit. (Photo by the State Police Association of Massachusetts)

HOLYOKE – Two Hartford men were arrested Sunday morning after leading police on a high-speed chase down Interstate 391.

Lt. Michael Higgins said Holyoke police officers tried to stop the vehicle around 1:30 a.m. Sunday for a taillight which was out.

“The driver did not stop, but instead hopped on 391 southbound and led police on a chase driving the car up to 120 miles per hour with two small children in the car,” he said…

…Link to Masslive article

WORCESTER – The first woman to command the Massachusetts State Police has been sworn into office.

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http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/01/col_marian_mcgovern_sworn_in_a.html

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/opinion/letters/view.bg?articleid=1225490

SPAM CONTINUES ITS LONGSTANDING SUPPORT FOR STATE SENATOR SCOTT BROWN IN ENDORSING HIM FOR UNITED STATES SENATE

BOSTON — Martha Coakley may be the state’s attorney general, but her Senate rival is vying to match her law-and-order credentials.

Republican Scott Brown was scheduled Monday to receive the endorsement of the [...]]]> By Associated Press
Monday, January 11, 2010

SPAM CONTINUES ITS LONGSTANDING SUPPORT FOR STATE SENATOR SCOTT BROWN IN ENDORSING HIM FOR UNITED STATES SENATE

BOSTON — Martha Coakley may be the state’s attorney general, but her Senate rival is vying to match her law-and-order credentials.

Republican Scott Brown was scheduled Monday to receive the endorsement of the State Police Association of Massachusetts.

It represents rank-and-file troopers…

Read more at the Boston Herald…

…and an editorial here

December 16, 2009

The Executive Board of the State Police Association of Massachusetts voted yesterday to continue our support for Scott Brown and endorse his bid for United States Senate.  Senator Brown has been a strong supporter of [...]]]> SPAM CONTINUES ITS LONGSTANDING SUPPORT FOR STATE SENATOR SCOTT BROWN IN ENDORSING HIM FOR UNITED STATES SENATE

December 16, 2009

The Executive Board of the State Police Association of Massachusetts voted yesterday to continue our support for Scott Brown and endorse his bid for United States Senate.  Senator Brown has been a strong supporter of SPAM over the years; most recently earning the endorsement of SPAM in his State Senate run during the 2008 election cycle.

Based on a review of his legislative accomplishments and his stated commitment to the State Police and public safety, the Executive Board believes the residents of the Commonwealth will be best served by his election.  Time and time again, he has shown himself to be a tireless advocate, willing to listen to all sides and act accordingly.

In addition, Senator Brown is the sponsor of SPAM-supported legislation that would allow municipalities to avail themselves of additional State Police assistance at no additional cost – saving municipalities valuable funds they might otherwise have to spend under existing mutual aid agreements.  His continued support for SPAM’s goals and objectives throughout the years is reflected in our endorsement.

Levasseur served 18 years, less than half of a [...]]]> Parole Commission denies convicted terrorist permission to travel out of Maine

The United States Parole Commission has denied convicted serial bomber and domestic terrorist Raymond Levasseur permission to travel to Massachusetts to make an appearance at a controversial and ill-planned event at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Levasseur served 18 years, less than half of a 45 year sentence for his role as leader of the United Freedom Front, a domestic terrorist gang that was responsible for blowing up over 20 buildings, conducting armed bank robberies to fund their violent agenda, attempting to murder two Massachusetts State Troopers and the brutal slaying of New Jersey Trooper Phil Lamonaco. He is currently living in a federal halfway house in Maine.

His appearance having been canceled once already, the anarchist’s event was resurrected – according to WHDH, Levasseur was quietly “re-invited by a faculty group spearheaded by UMass Professor Sara Lennox”, whose 2008 salary was over $118,000.

Although it once again appears that Levasseur will not be in attendance at the UMass event, his wife and lawyers are expected to participate and speak on his behalf and the event has not been canceled. Numerous police organizations and the widow of Trooper Lamonaco still plan to protest the reprehensible glorification of this unrepentant, violent criminal, and call on the public, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and the administration of UMass to join them at UMass on Thursday evening to express their condemnation of Levasseur and his terrorist agenda.