State Commission Takes Aim at Drunk Driving

ABCC kicks off Operation Safe Holidays to coincide with national impaired driving crackdown.

The following information was submitted by the ABCC. State Treasurer Steven Grossman and the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC), in conjunction with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) national Impaired Driving Crackdown, will focus enforcement efforts at bars throughout the commonwealth during the 2012 holiday season. The operation started the night before Thanksgiving, and will continue through New Year’s Eve. “This type of enforcement effort can save lives and prevent tragedies before they happen,” said Grossman. “Operation Safe Holidays takes immediate and effective steps that result in the direct prevention of drunk driving and serving of intoxicated individuals during the busy …

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Planning on a "Tipsy Tow" on New Year's Eve? Not in Lexington

With the chance of showers and dropping temperatures tonight, your best bet is to get a designated driver lined up before hitting the town tonight.

You may have seen it on Facebook. "No excuses, folks. Don't drink and drive-and don't ride with anybody who does. Tipsy Tow offered by AAA: You don't have to be a AAA member, from 6pm-6am on New Year's Eve/Day they will take your drunk self and your car home for FREE. Save this number... 1-800-222-4357. Please re-post this if you don't mind" The message went viral this week, posted on Facebook pages and shared on sites across the country. The problem is, the service is not available in all areas. In fact, according to the AAA website, clubs in only 17 states are offering the free rides home and no programs in the New England region make the list. An additional "AAA Justice Link" website lists outside resources aimed at reducing drunk …

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Police Log: OUI Arrests and Suspicious Persons

The following information from Sept. 2 to Sept. 5 was provided by the Lexington Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction.

Friday, Sept. 2 8:52 a.m. – A traffic stop resulted in the arrest of an Arlington man on multiple warrants from area communities. James Schultz, 51, of 39 Jason St., Arlington, was arrested on warrants out of Reading, Bedford and Lexington. 1:26 p.m. – A Middle Street resident reported receiving annoying phone calls. 4:15 p.m. – A traffic stop for erratic operation on Massachusetts Avenue and Marrett Road resulted in the OUI arrest. Douglas C. Crosby, 46, of 195 29th St., Brooklyn, NY, was charged with operating under the influence of liquor, marked lanes violation and texting while operating a motor vehicle. 5:07 p.m. – A past larceny of money was reported from an April Lane business. 8:20 p.m. – Officers responded to Parker Street for a …

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Burlington Woman Indicted On Felony Motor Vehicle Charge

Nicole Parziale, 39, of Burlington, indicted on charges, including felony motor vehicle homicide and operating under the influence of liquor, in connection with a May 14 fatal accident on Route 128 in Lexington.

The following is a press release from the Office of Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone. A Burlington woman has been indicted on charges in connection with the May 14 motor vehicle crash that resulted in the death of Glenn Robichaud, 55, of Bedford, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public Wednesday, Aug. 24. Nicole Parziale, 39, of Burlington, was indicted by a Middlesex grand jury on charges of felony motor vehicle homicide, operating under the influence of liquor, second offense, negligent operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor causing serious injury (3 counts), and operating a motor vehicle without a license. She will be arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn on August 31 at 9 am. “We…

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About Town

About Town: Tuesday Town Manager's Report

Town Manager Carl Valente on subjects from police to engineering.

Last week, Town Manager Carl Valente told Patch readers about a citizens’ petition that asked the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority to impose a 2.5 percent cap on annual increases in retail water and sewer rates. I promised to keep you updated and asked Carl if he had additional information. Nope, and it’s not because he didn’t ask. The MWRA Advisory Board director is on vacation, so no one has any more info. Carl keeps everyone updated, whether the Board of Selectmen meet or not, so keep watching for more information. LPD State Initiative Carl provided us with information from the Lexington Police Department and Chief Mark Corr. As of Aug. 19 Lexington and other communities will enforce the “Over the Limit, Under Arrest” state …

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Police Log: Intoxicated Men and Attempted Burglaries

The following information from August 12 to 14 was provided by the Lexington Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction.

Friday, Aug. 12 8:34 a.m. – A school was reportedly spray painted on Philip Road.   10:07 a.m. – A house was reportedly egged on Meriam Street. 10:48 a.m. – A Ridge Drive resident reported the door to her vehicle was scratched. 1 p.m. – A Waltham Street resident reported an attempted breaking and entering and police found a screen window cut and footprints on the bulkhead doors. 7:09 p.m. – An Arlington man was arrested on a warrant following his alleged participation in a larceny last week. Michael G. Flett, 52, of 122 Madison Ave., Arlington, was charged with larceny and being an accessory after the fact. 7:31 p.m. – Suspicious activity was reported at Mass Ave and Depot Square. 10:07 p.m. – Police were called to a Vine Street residence …

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Fireworks, a Coyote Call and OUI Arrests

Lexington Police incident reports from July 1 to July 4. The following information was supplied by the Lexington Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction.

Friday, July 18:48 a.m. – Animal control used one shot to put down a sick coyote on Turning Mill Road. 12:02 p.m. – An employee at a Hayden Avenue business reported he was FedExing a watch valued at $1,500 and when it never arrived at its destination, he contacted FedEx, which reported they never picked it up. 3:34 p.m. – Officers investigated a motor vehicle accident on Bedford Street. 6:59 p.m. – As the result of a traffic stop on Lowell Street, an Arlington man was arrested on a warrant out of Winchester. Nisit Patel, 30, of 16 Henderson St., Arlington, was charged with operating a motor vehicle after his license was suspended, operating with a revoked registration, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and operating without an …

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Police Log: Accidents and (Allegedly) Drunk Drivers

Lexington Police incident reports from June 10 to June 12. The following information was supplied by the Lexington Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction

Friday, June 10 1:40 a.m. – Security Police from Hanscom Air Force Base reported they had someone at the Hartwell Avenue gate who they suspected was operating under the influence. Lexington Police arrived at the scene and determined Sean T. MacDowell, 22, of 270 Andover St., Billerica, was indeed operating under the influence of alcohol. He was transported to the Bedford Police Station for a breath test and then brought back to Lexington for booking. 10:43 a.m. – A loose dog was reported on Suzanne Road. 5:23 p.m. – Offiers investigated a motor vehicle accident on Massachusetts Avenue and Grant Street. 6:56 p.m. – A parking complaint came in from Middleby Road. 9:32 p.m. – Officers received a report of a bicycle stolen from Bedford Street…

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Blame It On the Booze

This week's police incidents include sobering stories about operating under the influence of alcohol.

Alcohol-related incidents last week in Lexington led to operating under the influence charges for residents of Waltham, Belmont and Chelmsford, and landed a Lexington man in protective custody. You Drink, You Ride, You Get PC'd Just before midnight last Thursday, May 12, a pair of motorists reported a possibly intoxicated man attempted to enter their vehicles on Massachusetts Avenue. One caller, a Billerica man, said someone tried to open his car door in what he believed was a carjacking. The other call came from a Natick man, who told police he was parked in front of the Bertucci’s on Mass Ave when an intoxicated man entered his vehicle and asked for $100 and a ride home. The Natick man told police he turned off the car, took his keys and…

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