The Grafton Police Department has received reports of sightings of coyotes and foxes in Town recently so I thought I would rerun this column for the safety of everyone.  (It should be noted that these precautions may be applied to both coyotes and foxes.) QUESTION: I was out jogging this morning when I saw a coyote and decided to turn around.  While I was jogging home, the coyote came up beside me and was watching me. I stopped and yelled at it to go home and it moved further away.  I continued yelling at it and started walking home.  What is the best thing to do when meeting up with a coyote…

I recently received some information regarding a con referred to as the “Jury Scam.” Please review the warning below and pass it on to your friends, relatives and neighbors to ensure they don’t fall prey to this scam.  The information may be found on the FBI website at www.fbi.gov and the United States Federal Court website at www.uscourts.gov. The phone rings, you pick it up, and the caller identifies himself as an officer of the court. He says you failed to report for jury duty and that a warrant has been issued for your arrest.  You say you never received a notice.  To clear it up, the …

The Grafton High School Junior/Senior prom will be held Saturday, May 11, at the DCU Center in Worcester. To help make this event a happy, safe and memorable one, I thought it would be a good idea to once again present some information on prom safety. Motor vehicle crashes are the biggest killer of teens in North America and spring-time is considered an especially dangerous time for young drivers.  Spring break, prom, and graduation are milestones - rites of passage - in the lives of teenagers.  They also provide ample opportunities for teens to try alcohol or drugs for the first time.  …

National Grid has sent out notices to municipal agencies and police chiefs regarding a nationwide utility bill scam. To ensure that everyone is informed, the Grafton Police Department is providing a copy of the press release recently issued by National Grid. NATIONAL GRID WARNS OF PAYMENT SCAM National Grid electric customers have received telephone calls from individuals claiming to work for National Grid.  These scammers demand payment, through a pre-paid card, on past due balances for electric accounts and threaten customers that their service will immediately be shut-off for non-payment…

Submitted by Grafton Police Chief Norman A. Crepeau Jr.: On April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Grafton Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its sixth opportunity in three years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your medications for disposal to the Grafton Police Department Training Room located on the second floor. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. Last September, Americans turned in 244 tons of prescription drugs at over…

QUESTION: My neighbor is elderly and on a fixed income.  She was approached by a driveway sealing company who offered to seal her driveway at a low price.  By the time the job was done, she paid several hundred dollars and it appears that her driveway looks worse.  She is unable to locate the company to have the driveway repaired properly.  What can be done so that this doesn’t happen to other homeowners? ANSWER: Spring, summer and fall are the times when paving con artists prey upon homeowners, especially senior citizens. They show up at your door, offer a very low price to asphalt or seal …

QUESTION: I was recently stopped by a police officer for speeding. The officer issued me a “warning citation” and told me that no further action on my part was required.  Could you please tell me what kind of tickets can be issued for traffic offenses in Massachusetts. ANSWER: A written traffic ticket, with "Massachusetts Uniform Citation" at the top is the standard ticket issued by local and State Police. Charges can be civil or criminal dependant on the seriousness of the offense.  In many cases, officers also have the discretion to issue warning citations.   If fines apply, you may have …

QUESTION: My son has been playing lots of games on his computer. I just found out that he has been playing many of these games online with complete strangers who he met in “gaming rooms.”  I was wondering if you have any safety advice for people gaming online. ANSWER: When children and teens play online with friends or family, there is usually no problem; however, when complete strangers work their way into these games, serious issues can arise. To help avoid these issues, the Grafton Police Department would like to provide the following online gaming safety tips offered by NetSmartz, a …

March 3 through March 9 has been declared National Consumer Protection Week and is dedicated to ensure that consumers are informed about scams and how they may protect themselves. To help protect local citizens from becoming the victims of scams and con artists, the Grafton Police Department would like to provide the following information offered by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0060-10-ways-avoid-fraud. Scam artists in the U.S. and around the world defraud millions of people each year.  They use the phone, email, postal mail and the internet to trick you…

QUESTION: I recently received a call from a company offering a very good deal on having my chimney cleaned. The company was from out of state but stated they were working in the area. I was going to have someone come over but I then remembered speaking with some friends who told me that they knew people who had been scammed from an out of state chimney sweep company.  Do you have any information regarding chimney sweep scams? ANSWER: Chimney repair and chimney cleaning scams have been on the rise.  Since most people know nothing about chimneys, this is a particularly easy way for scammers to …

QUESTION: I recently received a ticket for parking my vehicle in a handicap zone.  I was just going into the store for a minute and there were no regular spaces available close by.  It was cold and the parking lot was icy so I figured I could just quickly run into the store without getting a ticket.  Don’t I have to be parked in a handicap space for a certain length of time before getting a ticket?  ANSWER: In brief, the answer to your question is NO.  In order to park in a space designated for handicap parking, the vehicle must have a handicap plate or placard displayed with the proper …

Grandparent Scam - Alive and Well in Grafton Although I’ve posted warnings to be cautious about fraud and phone scams directed toward the elderly, the Grafton Police Department continues to receive calls and complaints regarding this issue.  Just last week, a resident reported that she received a call from a “law enforcement agency” located out of the country stating that they were holding a relative and he needed $2500.00 cash for bail.  The “agency” told the resident how and where she could send the money to bail her relative out.  The resident stated she was about to send the money as …

(I still receive many inquiries regarding the use of Craigslist so I decided to rerun this column for anyone who did not see it before.) Question: I recently tried to purchase an item on Craigslist. The seller wanted me to send a money order prior to me receiving or even seeing the item.  I was a little leery and ended the transaction. Do you have any advice for anyone buying or selling on Craigslist?    Answer: Craigslist is known worldwide for their classifieds for just about anything including, homes, rental property, vehicles, jewelry furniture, services, etc.    With a few simple clicks …

Column by Grafton Police Chief Normand A. Crepeau Jr. As we all know, cell phones are basically small computers that can transmit and receive information in many forms including voice, text, video and photographs.  Smart phones will access the internet and utilize the many applications available to the phone’s platform.  One of the many issues arising out of this smart technology is the use of these phones to transmit somewhat questionable messages and photographs in a practice known as sexting. To help those parents who are unfamiliar with the use of cell phones for sexting and explain some …

Although this winter has been extremely mild compared to years past, many lakes, ponds, rivers and streams have frozen over during some of the colder temperatures we have experienced during the season.  Residents are taking advantage of these colder days by venturing out on the ice for skating, hockey, ice fishing and a host of other winter activities.  This winter, the temperatures continue to fluctuate above and below freezing making ice conditions very uncertain. Due to the uncertainty of ice conditions and the dangers presented, many towns will not sanction the safety of lakes, ponds, …

Although the weather has been warmer lately, winter is still upon us and changes for the worse can happen at any time. Last week, we covered some general precautions for driving during the winter season. This week, the Grafton Police Department would once again like to provide some suggestions for driving on snow-covered roads. These tips and more can be found at www.aaaexchange.com.  Tips for driving in the snow: Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don't try to get moving in a hurry and take …

As evidenced by last week’s snow storm, winter is here.  In the weeks to come, winter will show its true colors with colder weather, snow covered roads, ice patches and the host of other problems associated with winter storms. Winter driving can be hazardous and scary, especially in the northeast. Additional preparations at this time of year can help make a trip safer and help motorists deal with a winter emergency. The Grafton Police Department would once again like to provide the following suggestions from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on safe winter driving:  …

QUESTION: Can you tell me what the rules and restrictions are regarding gift certificates and gift cards? ANSWER: Many individuals will receive gift certificates or gift cards as a present during this holiday season. The rules for use of these cards are modified periodically to protect the consumer from fraudulent practices related to the purchase or usage of these items. To help everyone understand their rights when it comes to gift cards and gift certificates, the Grafton Police Department would like to once again provide the following information offered by the Office of the Attorney …

As you celebrate the holiday season enjoying traditions, food, family and fun, be reminded that the Grafton Police Department will increase enforcement from through Jan. 1, arresting anyone caught driving drunk.  Grafton Police will join more than 48 local law enforcement agencies and the Massachusetts State Police through the New Year as part of the national "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" mobilization, funded by a federal grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) administered through the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Highway Safety Division…

With the increase in parties and events to help celebrate the holiday season, the Grafton Police Department would like to remind everyone that drinking and driving is a dangerous combination. To ensure everyone’s safety, the Grafton Police Department would once again like to offer these tips on hosting safe holiday parties.This and more information may be found on the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) site at http://www.madd.org/drunk-driving/safe-party/. Responsible hosts know that part of showing guests a great time is making sure they get home safely. Here are some suggestions to help …