You Ask, Patch Answers

Got Speeders? Here's How You Should Report Them

Grafton Police are inundated with requests to patrol particular areas of town: here's how you can help.

We at Grafton Patch noticed that the police log is often full of entries noting the different areas where police are doing radar enforcement around town. So, we wondered: how do police prioritize requests for speed limit enforcement, and what should residents do if they believe speeding is a problem in their neighborhood? "We get special requests and we'll send officers there," Police Chief Normand A. Crepeau Jr. said. "We have to prioritize. Some people will want radar on a dead end. We have to decide where to put the resources." If a resident notices that a particular car often speeds through the area, the chief advises trying to write down the vehicle's license plate, and reporting it to police. "A big thing I tell people, is, if you …

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Police Logs

911 Calls During Storm Include Kids in Road, Neighbor Disturbances

The following information was provided by the Grafton Police Department. Charges do not indicate a conviction.

Sunday, Feb. 3 12:25 a.m.: Police issued a citation to a driver on Upton Street. 5:28 p.m.: The Fire Department was called to an ice resuce on Lake Ripple. Monday, Feb. 4 4:03 p.m: Police issued a citation to a driver on Upton Street. 8:50 p.m.: Benjamin Whitcomb, 25, of 166 Worcester St.. Apt. 4, Grafton, was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license. Tuesday, Feb. 5 12:11 a.m.: Police issued a citation to a driver on Worcester and North Main streets. 6:12 a.m.: Police were monitoring the stop sign/light at North Main and Waterville streets. 8:30 a.m.: Police issued a citation on Bridge Street. 1:32 p.m.: Police were monitoring the stop sign/light at Providence Road and Millbury Street. 2 p.m.: Police …

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Elderly Woman's Medical Condition May Have Led to Crash

A woman was sent to the hospital for injuries following a crash.

An 87-year-old woman was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center on Wednesday night after she struck a utility pole on Route 22, according to the Worcester Telegram. The incident is still under investigation, and the Telegram reported that a medical condition may have led to the crash that knocked out power throughout the area. 

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Chief's Blotter

Chief: Proper Preparations Make Winter Driving Safer

Inspecting your tires and keeping your gas tank close to full are among the measures you can take before driving in wintry weather.

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:  Regardless of the season, you should inspect your tires at least once a month and always before embarking on a long road trip. It only takes about five…

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Three-Car Crash at Grafton Cemetery

Slippery roads caused a crash on Millbury Street.

A Sunday afternoon crash on Millbury Street sent two people to the hospital, according to The Grafton Daily Voice. The three car crash was caused by black ice, with Grafton police and fire departments responding around 3:30 p.m. "to find several vehicles off the road on Millbury Street."  

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'Unknown Female' Leaves Bedroom, Steals Man's Car

Police used LoJack to track the woman, who allegedly stole the car with the victim's nephew.

A woman allegedly snuck out of a Waterville Street resident's bedroom early Wednesday morning and, with the help of the man's nephew, stole his car. Police arrested Mary Pare, 41, of 96 Church St., Northbridge, and Joshua C. Ewald, 27, of 8 Forest Ln., Grafton, Wednesday after tracking them from Grafton to Worcester, and pulling over the 2007 Chevy Impala they are accused of stealing. According to a police report filed in Westborough District Court, Grafton officers were dispatched at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday to Waterville Street for a report of a stolen motor vehicle. The caller said he had an unknown female guest at his residence. "When asked her name," police wrote, "he was unable to provide any information other than she was about 40 and …

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Crash Slows Traffic on Providence Road Monday

One car was towed from the scene with heavy front-end damage.

A two-car crash on Providence Road near Grafton High School slowed down traffic after 9:30 a.m. Monday. A Toyota Camry was towed from the scene. No one was injured. Victoria Martinelli of Grafton stood on the side of Providence Road after being evaluated by EMTs for injuries.  She said she rear-ended the SUV in front of her. There was minimal damage to the SUV. "The driver in front of me was letting someone go in front of her and I didn't have time to react," Martinelli said. The road was clear by 10 a.m.

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Driver Parked in Middle of Road Gets OUI Charge

A Fall River woman will return to court June 21.

A Fall River woman faces OUI charges after she allegedly parked her car in the middle of a travel lane in Grafton early Saturday. Mandy Gervasio, 32, of 48 Aetna St. Apt. 2, Fall River, was parked in the middle of East Street when she was approached by Grafton Police Officer Mark Benoit, according to a police document in her court file. The vehicle was running and its lights were on, Benoit reported. He put on his warning lights for safety reasons because the vehicle was parked in the middle of a travel lane near the intersection of Waterville, East and North Main streets, he said. She told Benoit that she and a female passenger were talking. She did not seem to know that she was parked in the middle of the road, Benoit said. In response …

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Chief's Blotter

Chief: Motorcyclists Need to be Careful

They can be overlooked by motorists, the chief says.

Last week, I talked about what motorists can do to be more aware of motorcyclists as part of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. This week, the Grafton Police Department would like to provide the following information from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (www.mass.gov/rmv) on helping motorcyclists prevent accidents with automobile drivers. Help drivers know you're there. Don't assume you are visible to a driver. As a motorcyclist, it is your responsibility to make your presence known to drivers.  Select and wear an appropriate helmet with retro reflective materials. A DOT-approved motorcycle helmet is your most valuable piece of protective gear and should be visible to drivers. Wear bright, contrasting protective clothing.  If …

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