2011 was a year of challenges and accomplishments. While the department was able to prevent and solve crimes, just like every household in the community, the economy placed a strain on the department’s resources. Offenses increased by 11% in 2011. Officers made 437 arrests, 28 of which were for DWI, a 50% decrease over 2010. Other offenses increased including a 31% in burglaries (after a 42% increase in 2010) and an 8% increase in thefts from vehicles (after a 177% increase in 2010). Overall crimes against persons increased 11% while property crimes increased 8%. The department investigated 131 accidents, an increase of 30% from 2010.

With dramatic increases for the last 2 years in burglaries and thefts, the department is asking members of the community and homeowners to work with us to reduce this problem, which is not isolated to Farmington. Residents need to insure that their vehicles and homes are locked and their valuables are safely stored out of sight. Additionally, insuring that residents have photos of valuables and serial numbers of electronic items assist the department tremendously in identifying the owners if property is recovered. Lastly, residents should report any type of suspicious activity (vehicles or people) immediately to the department. In an age where every cellular phone has a camera, if it is safe to do so, take a picture of any suspicious vehicles or people. This also goes a long way in helping us more quickly find and identify suspects. In an effort to make this convenient, pictures can even be e-mailed to the department.

The loss of the department’s School Resource Officer position in June has had a tremendous impact upon the department. Patrol officers have responded to calls for service at the school regularly taking time away from patrol, working to prevent crimes like daytime burglaries, and investigating crimes in the community. Our participation in pro-active programming in the schools, like DARE and Youth to Youth, has ceased. Additionally, comparing the first 4 months of the 2010 to 2011 school year, violent acts occurring in the schools and reported to the department increased by 20%.

As we have always sought to do, the department found ways to obtain items without having to put the burden upon the taxpayer. The department was able to obtain furniture and property from government surplus thereby allowing us to refurnish parts of the department, improve equipment and put down new carpeting in most areas of the building. The valuable program has saved the department, the Town, but most importantly the taxpayers, tens of the thousands of dollars. We will continue to maximize the benefits of the program in 2012.

Two officers and four civilians received the department highest award, the Medal of Valor, for a lifesaving act. Sgt. Scott Ferguson and Patrol Officer Colin Wheeler received this award for saving the life of a driver whose truck caught on fire after being involved in an accident. This is the second year in a row that officers have been honored for heroic acts that saved someone’s life. We are very fortunate to have officers of this caliber working for the department.

As I discussed in previous Annual Reports, the department continues to move forward with its plan for a new facility because the current department suffers from a number of inadequacies. The department lacks sufficient workspace, interview space and storage space; the heating system is uneven leaving some rooms hot while others are cold; and there is no heat in the lobby. Last year, $5,000.00 was appropriated for the current facility, which only maintained the building in its current condition but did not provide for any improvements. These yearly appropriations are only a band-aid and will not address the underlying issues that require a new facility for the department. We continue to seek alternate funding sources like grants and low interest loans complete this much needed project.

As we look forward to 2012, we are seeking to purchase additional Tasers for patrol officers thereby continuing to increase the officer’s safety and reduce injuries. We are also revamping policies and procedures to insure the department complies with current standards thereby reducing civil liability for the community.

As always, I encourage members of the community to provide feedback about the performance of the department and its officers. This is your police department and we want to provide the best service possible. In addition, you are the eyes and ears for the department. If you have information about a crime and wish to remain anonymous, call the Crimeline at 755-9797. 

Respectfully Submitted,

Scott R. Roberge

Chief of Police

This morning, Chief Roberge and his K-9, Conner, of the Farmington Police Department searched the Henry Wilson Middle School (grades 6, 7 and 8). These searches were conducted with the cooperation and supervision of school administrators while students practiced a fire drill. We are happy to report that no illicit drugs were located in any the buildings or parking lots.

The Farmington Police Department and the Farmington School District (SAU 61) do our best to insure that schools are a positive environment by taking a ‘zero tolerance’ approach toward drugs in schools. If a student is found possessing, using or selling drugs on school property, the student goes before the School Board and may face criminal charges. Taking this type action is the only way to insure that students receive a clear and consistent message about the consequences of this type of inappropriate behavior.

The Farmington Police Department and the Farmington School District do our best insure that children are safe in schools. Periodic searches of the schools for illicit drugs is one step that the department and district take toward insuring that the schools are a positive learning environment.

Both organizations will remain committed to insuring that these schools are safe and drug free throughout the school year.

 A light mix of rain and snow will develop vicinity 2pm to 5pm Concord southward and down through all of the Merrimac Valley, should be all rain
Seacoast Region. A mix of rain and snow will change to all wet snow vicinity
3-6 pm and by early evening accumulate to around 1 to 2 inches. 

Elsewhere minor accumulations of a half inch or less  are expected by dark Saturday. Heavy wet snow will fill in by mid evening as far north as Concord, develop through the Lakes Region vicinity 5-8pm, heavy at times from midnight on up through the Lakes Region with lighter snow further north. For the seacoast region light rain will fill in by late afternoon and mix with and change to mostly all snow towards midnight, heavy and wet after midnight. 

Rain may stillmix in at times along the immediate coast. Snow will taper off all areas afterdaybreak Sunday morning, ending around midday.

Total snow accumulations willrange from 8-12 inches as far north as the Southern Lakes Region and trail offnorthward to 1 to 2 inches up near the Canadian Border. Locally higher amounts are possible just about anywhere with the best chance through the higherelevations of the Monadnock Region.

Snow accumulation confidence is lowest in the Seacoast Region and could go either way by several inches, all depend on the exact track of the storm. At this point figuring 4 to 8 inch accumulations. The highest accumulations for all areas will be over grassy areas, trees, and any colder/exposed surfaces. The snow will be wet and heavy for all areas, and is likely to cause major problems with tree limbs and power lines.

Wind gusts for this storm may gust as high as 40-45 mph through the Seacoast Region, possible peak gust to 50 mph close to the coast.  Further inland wind gust in the 25-35 mph are expected for Saturday night into Sunday morning. Drier and calmer conditions are expected to develop Sunday afternoon and Sunday night.

CHARLES STREET (ROUTE 153) WILL BE CLOSED FROM WEBSTER TO LINCOLN FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS DURING THE WEEKDAYS BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8:AM AND 5:00PM. VEHICLES WILL BE DETOURED OFF OF CHARLES ONTO LINCOLN TO GLEN TO WEBSTER. WE APPOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY CAUSE TRAVELERS.
PLEASE CALL THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AT 603-755-4884 IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS OR THE SELECTMEN’S OFFICE AT 755-2208.

At approximately 6:50 this morning, the Farmington Police Department received a report of a suspicious vehicle near a bus stop on Cherub Drive. The car, a personally owned retired police cruiser, left the area after a neighbor spoke to the person driving the car.

An investigation determined that the operator had not spoken to, nor attempted to make contact, with any children or other adults in the area. The driver, who has been identified, was in the area for a legitimate purpose as part of his employment. The department is not releasing the identity of the driver at this time because he has not been interviewed.

The department is continuing to investigate this incident but believes that there is no cause for alarm.

The Farmington Police Department is attempting to locate a man who dragged one police officer and nearly ran over another officer while fleeing from a parking lot. The department has an arrest warrant for:

ANTHONY B. BLEYL, AGE 24
11 WORSTER STREET, APT. 4
FARMINGTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE

Bleyl is wanted for Attempted First Degree Assault (on a Police Officer), Attempted Second Degree Assault (on a Police Officer), Conduct After An Accident, Disobeying An Officer, and Operating Without a Valid License. The incident occurred in the parking lot of an apartment building located behind the Police Department at approximately 1:45 AM in Farmington on January 28, 2011.

Officers originally responded to the parking lot to check on the welfare of Bleyl at the request of Rochester Police Department due to an earlier incident in Rochester. As Sgt. Michael McNeil approached the vehicle that Bleyl was driving, a 1993 blue Jeep Cherokee with NH Reg. 295 2272, to insure that Bleyl was alright, Bleyl locked the doors and accelerated through the parking lot. Sgt. McNeil had reached for the door handle to open the door and was dragged by the vehicle.

After Sgt. McNeil let go of the vehicle, it continued through the parking lot where it struck the corner of the apartment building. Sgt. John Drury was waving his arms while standing in the driveway yelling for Bleyl to stop. Bleyl continued to accelerate toward Sgt. Drury who dove out of the way to avoid being struck landing on a set of wood stairs.

Neither officer was seriously injured or required medical attention.

The Jeep was last seen on Civic Street in Farmington. It should have front end and passenger side damage from the collision with the apartment building.

BLEYL is a thin white male, 5’4” tall, weighing approx. 140 lbs with blue eyes and short blond hair. A recent photo of BLEYL is attached to this press release.

The department does not have any information that BLEYL is armed at this time. The public should not attempt to apprehend BLEYL but should notify their local police department.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow and blowing snow… which is in effect from midnight tonight to 7 PM EST Wednesday.
* Locations… southern New Hampshire
* Accumulations… 12 to 16 inches of snow is possible in some areas.
* Timing… snow will start by midnight across southwestern zones… then overspread the rest of the area during the early morning hours. The heaviest snow will fall late tonight through   Wednesday morning.
* Winds… north to northeast 10 to 20 mph with occasional gusts to 35 mph.
* Impacts… hazardous travel conditions expected. Heavy snow will significantly impact the morning commute. Strong northeasterly winds will combine with heavy snow to create near blizzard conditions at times.

As of  11:00am today PSNH experienced  high wind conditions that have caused scattered outages throughout the state resulting in approximately 14,000 customers without power statewide as of 2:00pm today.   Crews have been dispatched and we are hopeful the majority of these customers will have power restored by this evening.

In the Seacoast region of New Hampshire the following communities are experiencing scattered outages:

Rochester area:                6 troubles                2650 customers
towns reporting outages:
Barrington, Wakefield, Farmington, Rochester, Dover, Nottingham

Epping area:                        4 troubles                150 customers
towns reporting outages:
Lee, Northfield, Durham, Newmarket, Epping, Raymong, Deerfield, Barrington

Outages are schattered throughout the communities listed and crews have been working since the storm passed through the area  and will continue to work until all customers have power restored.

UPDATE- Three of four suspects are in Strafford County Jail.  Christopher Hildreth is being arraigned via video at 11:30 at Rochester District Court. Bethany Colson is in Cumberland County Jail (Maine) with an extradition hearing scheduled for later today.

*************************PRESS RELEASE************************

For Immediate Release

Contact— Chief Scott R. Roberge, Farmington Police Department

(603) 755-2731 x16

Lt. Kevin J. Willey, Farmington Police Department

(603) 755-2731 x17

April 16, 2010

ARREST WARRANTS ISSUED FOR THREE IN TD BANK ROBBERY;

Two suspects already in custody for bank robberies in other communities

Area departments are hoping to put to an end a string of recent bank robberies. An extensive investigation and gathering of evidence has lead to the issuance of arrest warrants for:

CHRISTOPHER HILDRETH, AGE 22

72 BARTLETT ROAD

KITTERY, MAINE

HILDRETH is being charged with one count of ROBBERY. The robbery occurred at the TD Bank in Farmington on April 13, 2010.

BO H. RODDEN, AGE 19

16 CLEMENT DRIVE

BERWICK, MAINE

RODDEN is being charged with one count of CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT ROBBERY. It is alleged that he participated as the driver of a vehicle involved in the robbery.

HiILDRETH is being held in the York County Jail without bail pending extradition back to New Hampshire. Rodden is being held at Strafford County Jail on $200,000 cash bail.

The third suspect who is not in custody at this time is:

JACOB R. BROWN, AGE 19

20A ROUTE 87

COLUMBIA, CONNECTICUT

BROWN is wanted for 1 count of ROBBERY. The robbery occurred at the TD Bank in Farmington on April 13, 2010.

The department does not have any information that BROWN is armed at this time but the public should not attempt to apprehend BROWN but should notify their local police department.

Although BROWN is listed as having a Connecticut address, he has connections to the Berwick Maine area.

Any person with information should about this crime should contact their local police department, the Farmington Police Department at 755-2231, or may leave anonymous information on the department’s Crimeline which is 755-9797.