Cape Wide News for Wednesday June 24th, 2009

Pedestrian stuck by police cruiser in Falmouth

^{Police cordoned off a section of Sandwich Rd after two cruisers collided causing one of then to strike a pedestrian seriously injurimg him late Wednesday night.}EAST FALMOUTH - (with WXTK news) A pedestrian was seriously injured after being struck by a Falmouth Police cruiser in East Falmouth. The incident happened about 10:55 p.m. on Sandwich Road near Grace Court. A statement issued by the Falmouth Police Department says two cruisers were responding to an emergency call of a domestic disturbance just before 11 p.m. when they collided on Sandwich road. As a result of the crash, one of the cruisers struck a pedestrian on the edge of the roadway. The pedestrian, 24-year-old James Eldredge of Falmouth, was taken to Falmouth Hospital with serious but non life-threatening injuires after MedFlight was grounded by bad weather. Eldredge was later transferred to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Both police officers, Micahel Simoneau and Thomas McGuire were treated and released at Falmouth Hospital. According to police, both cruisers were on the way to a reported domestic disburbance. Ptl. Simoneau saw the pedestrian and thought he was involved in the incident they were responding to. Simoneau stopped short and Ptl. McGuire ran into his car pushing it into Eldredge. A State Police crash reconstruction unit is investigating the crash. The scene was cleared and the road reopened shortly after 5 a.m.
Photo by Eric Tinglof/CWN; Aerial courtesy of Microsoft Live Earth

Exploding ammo keeps firefighters at bay at car fire
ORLEANS - Firefighters responding to a car fire had to deal with an added hazard. The car on Barley Neck Road in Orleans was fully involved when they arrived shortly before 10:30 p.m. Ammunition stored in the vehicle was set off by the heat of the flames. Firefighters had to keep their distance until the ammo burned off. The vehicle was a total loss. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Teen injured at Wellfleet beach
WELLFLEET - A 15-year-old was taken to Cape Cod Hospital after suffering a possible neck injury at Lecount's Hollow Beach late Wednesday afternoon. According to reports the boy was "boogie boarding" when he was slammed down by a large wave. The hospital was given a "trauma alert" by the ambulance crew to have specialists standing by.

Woman injured in Hyannis crash
HYANNIS - A woman was injured in a crash at Route 28 and Yarmouth Road in Hyannis early Wednesday afternoon. The woman was taken to Cape Cod Hospital with unknown injuries. Already heavy day-tripper traffic was further gridlocked for a time. Barnstable Police are investigating.

Surveillance video may be key to alleged road rage incident
FALMOUTH - Falmouth Police are investigating an alleged road rage incident that spilled into the Falmouth District Court. Police were called to the Court on Jones Road where a Sandwich motorist had reportedly gotten into an argument with a Wareham motorist and had to be separated by court officers. The Sandwich driver claimed the other driver was tailgating him and then allegedly punched him when they got out of their cars. The courthouse grounds are under video surveillance which will determine what if any charges will be filed.

Clerk warns businesses before police, robber gets away
FALMOUTH - Falmouth Police were called to the "Twigs" store on Main Street Monday morning after a report a woman had stolen cash out of the register. Police say the clerk in the home decor store alerted other businesses before calling police and by the time they arrived the suspect had fled the area.

Hyannis fire holds hose training drill

HYANNIS - The Hyannis Fire Department was at the Barnstable Middle School on Route 28 as part of their continuing effort to train in all aspect of firefighting. Today's Firefighter is faced with a verity of emergency situations each day therefore it is imperative that they train on the routine skills as well as the not so routine as often as they can.

Today the training evolution involved the flow of large volumes of water where we use a fixed water supply such as a fire hydrant and control the pressure and volume using our fire engines pump and large diameter hose to direct the water from our source to the fire.

Once connected to the hydrant firefighters have several options for the use of available water, they can use the available water by connecting large diameter hose lines and laying them directly to the apparatus at the fire where it will be directed to smaller hand lines for direct fire attack. However when the hose lay from the hydrant to the fire is long, a significant amount of water pressure is lost due to friction loss in the fire hose.

Today's operation involved taking the water from the hydrant and bringing it into a fire truck where the pressure can br boosted therefore overcoming the friction loss so that the needed flow in gallons per minute can get to the engine at the fire.

The use of a device known as a hydrant assist valve is used to first begin the flow of water to the fire then a fire truck's pump is connected to the valve, the idea is to borrow some of the available water from the hydrant without interrupting the flow to the fire, the borrowed water is brought into the pump where the pressure is increased then fed back through the valve to the fire at a higher pressure than available hydrant pressure.

Thankfully large volumes of water are available in most towns on the Cape, knowing how to utilize that resource to it fullest potential helps firefighters keep large fires in check, reducing property loss by applying water directly on the fire or creating a water curtain to protect exposures. Our department trains when ever possible in an attempt to keep our skills sharp because we never know which ones will be needed next. Click here to view a slide show
Photos by Frank Paparo/CWN

Strange light seen over West Dennis
WEST DENNIS – Around 10:07 a.m. Wednesday a CWN reader in West Dennis observed a strange light above the eastern horizon.

The reader describes the light as “very bright and emanating warmth.” He was able to snap a photo (at right) of the brief phenomenon before it disappeared from view.

“I have a vague recollection of seeing this light in the past but cannot recall where or when,” he reports.

Community Response Forum on Hate Crimes
PROVINCETOWN - In the wake of an alleged hate crime over the Memorial Day weekend, Provincetown officials want to reaffirm their community as a "no place for hate" zone. To that end the Provincetown No Place for Hate Committee and the Board of Selectmen will co-host a community response forum on Hate Crimes at 6:00 pm, on Sunday, June 28, 2009, at Larkin Hall at the Center for Coastal Studies on Prince St. This type of meeting is a successful follow-up strategy used by communities that have experienced hate crimes.

Maura Healey, Chief of the Civil Rights Division, Attorney General’s Office will provide information on Massachusetts Hate Crime Laws and the role of her office in investigating and prosecuting hate crimes.

Representatives of the Anti-Defamation League’s New England Region will describe the “No Place for Hate” program and its role in promoting safe and diverse communities by combating hate and intolerance. Members of the local No Place For Hate Committee will be available to discuss Provincetown projects.

Sgt. Carrie Lopes, Provincetown Civil Rights Officer, will provide information about the department policy and protocol for investigating hate crimes. She will also explain how the police-community partnership works in combating hate crimes to keep our town safe for everyone.

This forum will allow the community to send a united message against hate and reinforce our signature slogan “Haters Watch What Leaders Do.” The forum will inform the public about hate crimes, hate incidents, and prevention. It will also allow Provincetown to celebrate its safe, inclusive and diverse community.

Please join us at the community response forum as Provincetown continues its progressive and proactive leadership regarding hate crimes. Help us send the message that Provincetown is “No Place for Hate.”

Yarmouth Police Participate in Alcoholic Beverage Server Training
YARMOUTH - Members of the Yarmouth Police Department, the Yarmouth Board of Selectmen, and the Yarmouth Restaurant Association will be hosting the Annual Alcohol Server Awareness Seminar on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. at Christopher’s Restaurant located at 759 Route 28 in South Yarmouth.

This seminar is designed to improve public safety and alcohol awareness by educating persons who are involved with the sale of alcoholic beverages in our community. Mike Marcantonio, a certified master trainer from Dram Shop Consultants, is the featured trainer. Mr. Marcantonio will discuss the alcoholic beverage service related laws—methods to identify false identification—recognizing signs of intoxication—and properly handling intoxicated persons.

Also participating in this seminar:

• Police Chief Michael J. Almonte and Members of the Yarmouth Police Department Command Staff
• Chairman of the Yarmouth Licensing Authority Selectman Jerry Sullivan
• President of the Yarmouth Restaurant Association Tom Murphy
• Cape and Islands Assistant District Attorney Matt Kelley

All persons involved with the sale or service of alcoholic beverages are encouraged to attend.

For additional information please visit the Yarmouth Restaurant Association’s web site at www.caperestaurants.com

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