Man sells undercover Transit Police detective drugs

On August 10th, 2012 members of the Transit Police Department's Internal Task Force were at Quincy Center MBTA station to address drug activity. While there a Transit Police detective, operating in an undercover capacity, had conversation with two men, later identified as Steven Burke 24 of Quincy and Michael Brennan 25 of Weymouth. Both men agreed to sell the detective "Suboxones" a Class B Controlled Substance as defined by MGL CH94C S32A. Upon completion of the transaction members of the Internal Task Force discreetly moved in and placed Brennan into custody for Distribution of a Controlled Substance and Possession w/Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance to wit Class B. Burke was placed into custody for Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Laws. In addition to the Suboxones Brennan sold to the undercover he was also in possession of over 40 additional Suboxones pills. Both men will arraigned in Quincy District Court on Monday August 13, 2012.

                                                           

Michael Brennan/Transit Police

                                                           

Steven Burke/Transit Police

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Assessment Team invites public's comments

 (Boston, MA) A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®) will arrive on Monday, August 20, 2012, to examine all aspects of the MBTA Transit Police Academy’s policy and procedures, management, operations, and support services. The MBTA Transit Police Academy is striving to be the first accredited academy in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

“Verification by the team that the MBTA Transit Police Academy meets the Commission’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain accreditation – a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence”, Chief Paul MacMillan stated.

As part of the on-site assessment, academy personnel and members of the community are invited to offer comments to the assessment team by telephone by calling 617 222-1154 on Tuesday, August 21, 2012, between the hours of 10:00am and 12:00pm. Telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA standards. A copy of the standards is available by contacting Officer Roberta Spinosa at 617-222-1014, at MBTA Transit Police Headquarters at 240 Southampton Street, Boston, MA 02118.

“Compliance with the Accreditation Standards is an indication that the MBTA Transit Police Academy meets professionally recognized criteria for excellence in management and service delivery.” Chief MacMillan added.

The assessment team is composed of public safety practitioners from out-of-state agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals, and visit offices and locations where compliance can be witnessed.

The assessors are retired Captain John “Russ” McElwee, who is from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, North Carolina and Captain Carl Schinner from the Greenbelt Police Department, in Greenbelt, Maryland.

Once the CALEA assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full Commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be granted accredited status.

For more information regarding the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., please write the Commission at 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainsville, Virginia, 20155; or call (800) 368-3757 or (703) 352-4225 or www.calea.org.  

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Fare Evasion Update August 2012

The MBTA Transit Police encourages and always welcomes feedback from the MBTA community. Oftentimes we hear concerns of fare evaders who brazenly walk in behind a paying customer without paying their fare. This tactic is known as “piggybacking”.  To address these concerns from our MBTA community, Transit Police Chief Paul MacMillan instituted a concentrated crackdown on fare evasion naming the initiative “Operation Fare Game”.  This operation commenced the week of July 9^th.

The fines for fare evasion have been increased from 15 dollars to 50 dollars for a first offence, 100 dollars for a second offence and 300 dollars for a third and subsequent offence. Additionally one must respond within 30 days, failure to request an appeal or pay the fine within that time period will result in the non-renewal of their Massachusetts Driver’s License.

During “Operation Fare Game” Transit Police officers have issued 636 fare evasion citations, TPD Chief MacMillan stated “ Through our selective fare enforcement efforts, we are trying to gain compliance in paying one’s fare to utilize the MBTA.  We also feel this is also an attempt at fairness. (No pun intended). Our honest fare paying customers should expect that we will enforce the law, in fact, many have applauded our efforts.”.   Chief MacMillan further added “ we are grateful the Massachusetts legislature included the new fine structure into the Transportation bill allowing us a more meaningful tool to address the issue of fare evasion”.   

The TPD will continue to enforce fare evasion violations throughout the system in the coming months. As always, while riding the MBTA if you See Something Say Something. Call 617-222-1212 for emergencies or use our See Say apps for IPhone and Android users.

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TPD Activity 48hrs

On July 29th, 2012 Transit Police officers assigned to Area 3 were at Andrew Sq. station conducting fare eavsion enforcement. The officers watched as Jonathan Devereaux, 23 of Medford, MA. fare evaded by "piggybacking" in behind a paying patron. Officers stopped Devereaux to issue him a 50 dollar citation. Officers shortly thereafter discovered Not only did Devereaux have three outstanding warrants in existence for his arrest he was also in possession of marijuana. Hmmmm, Doran's original plan may have been something like this, free ride on the T, smoke a little marijuana and ignore the fact of 3 warrants. Instead Doran's day went something like this; 50 dollar citation for fare evasion, 100 dollar citation for possession of marijuana and arrested for the warrants and given a free ride to TPD HQ

On July 30th, 2012 a Transit Police officer assigned to Area 2 was on patrol at Alewife station. While there he observed Edward Doran, 27 of Cambridge MA. with a pair of pliers attempting to cut the lock off a TREK mountain bike which was secured to the bike rack. The officer approached Doran and asked if the lock and bicycle belonged to him and if he was in need of any assistance. Doran, knowing the bike was not his, responded to the officer's question by fleeing on foot. The officer gave pursuit through heavy traffic over Route 2, Cambridge Park Place, Rindge Avenue and Cambridge Park Drive. The good citizens of Cambridge assisted by calling out Doran's location to the officer as he attempted to hide between parked cars. Eventually with the assistance of additional TPD officers Doran was placed into custody. Transit Police K9 Victor was able to sniff out Doran's scent and locate the pliers he discarded along his attempted escape route. Great team effort with the police and citizens. Good job !!

On July 30th, 2012 Transit Police officers assigned to Area 1 were conducting fare evasion enforcement at Government Center. There they observed Michael Coyne, 30 of Mercer, Maine fare evade by "piggybacking" in behind a paying patron. Officers stopped Coyne to issue him a 50 dollar citation and low and behold it was discovered Coyne had an arrest warrant in existence for his arrest issued from Malden District Court for Larceny. Needless to say Coyne was arrested on the warrant transported to TPD HQ and issued a 50 dollar citation.

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Fare Evasion Andrew Sq,

On July 26th, 2012 officers assigned to Area 3 were at Andrew Sq. conducting fare evasion enforcement. While there officers observed Kevin Kozlowski, 24 of South Boston, fare evade by "piggybacking" in behind a paying patron. Officers stopped Kozlowski to issue him a citation, during this time it was also discovered Kozlowski had a warrant for his arrest issued from South Boston District Court. Officers attempted to place Kozlowski into custody and brief struggle ensued. The good guys won out. Kozslowki was taken into custody, transported to TPD HQ and issued a citation for fare evasion.

 TPD will continue to conduct fare evasion enforcement throughout the system.

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DTC Fare Evasion

Transit Police officers assigned to Area 1 were conducting fare evasion enforcement at Downtown Crossing MBTA station today. While there officers observed Michael Greene, 33, of Quincy, MA. fare evade by "piggybacking" in behind a paying patron. Officers stopped Greene and a further investigation revealed an arrest warrant in existence for Greene's arrest for violation of the Commonwealth's drug laws. Greene was placed into custody and transported to Transit Police HQ for the warrant and also issued a citation for fare evasion.

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4th of July Message from Chief MacMillan

Tomorrow we celebrate the 236^th year of our great nation’s independence. The Boston Pops Firework Spectacular is viewed by a national TV audience estimated to be in the millions. Several hundred thousand more patriotic Americans and spectators  from New England as well as the world descend on the Esplanade to get a first hand view and be a part of a rich tradition.

The vast majority of people heed the wise advice of public officials and utilize the MBTA in traveling to and from the show.  I would like to remind everyone this a family event for all to enjoy.  Please be courteous to one another and especially mindful of young children and the elderly while riding the MBTA.  Alcohol consumption and unruly behavior  will not be tolerated. We will increase the number of uniformed police officers to assist with the high volume of ridership and in addition we will have plainclothes officers patrolling to ensure a safe travel.

If you encounter any emergency please contact the Transit Police  at 617-222-1212 or if you want to report suspicious or unusual behavior download the If You See Something Say Something App in the App store at MBTA See Say. Watch for the Android version next week.

Thank you, and happy 4th of July.

Chief Paul MacMillan
MBTA Transit Police

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