Chief’s Corner
By Chief Steven J. Wojnar Dudley Police Department We are in a very dangerous time involving ice on local waters. Weather fluctuations cause some ponds to freeze, thaw, then re-freeze. A frequent question we as police receive during the winter is, “Is the ice safe?” People want to use the ponds for activities such as skating, ice fishing, hockey, or other recreation. I wanted to take a moment to remind people to exercise proper precautions when on the ice. Certainly, the police will not declare any ice “safe” unless it is a controlled rink or another known location. Any time water is moving below ice, there is the possibility of thin spots and dangerous areas.This is even more critical at times when varying weather conditions are involved. Cold weather followed by warming can cause thawing and re-freezing. The ice can be thinner in some locations. It may appear to be thick; however, there is no true way to be certain. It is especially important to exercise caution if you make the decision to venture out. Please avoid areas near open water or any places where you can see under the ice. You should stay near shore or in places where the water is not deep. This will allow you to make it back to shore easier and allow you to stand in the event you should fall through. Whenever children are involved, ice should always be checked by an adult. Children should always have supervision before using these areas. It is also critical to avoid using recreational vehicles of any kind. In addition to environmental concerns and risk of crashes, the mere weight of these vehicles contributes to the possibility of accidents. It is important to use your best judgment when venturing out onto the ice, especially at these times of changing weather. We have experienced some tragic events in the past and we hope to prevent future occurrences. Please exercise the necessary precautions and be safe. |
As the pandemic continues and cases rise, we ask everyone to stay safe and continue to take the necessary precautions to protect yourselves. The work of the Town Officials, particularly our Administrator and most importantly, the Board of Health officials, is greatly appreciated. The rules regarding this virus seem to change constantly, and more pressure is placed on local governments to respond, all with limited resources. We continue to serve the people of Dudley and work with the community to improve the quality of life for everyone. I thank the men and women from my department for their continued dedicated service to the Town during these trying times. Thanks also go out to the many Police Officers, Fire and Emergency Services members, public works, health care, government and all other “essential” personnel for their continued hard work and service. We greatly appreciate the support we receive from our community.
Thanks again for your questions and comments. Please send them to me at the Dudley Police Department 71 West Main St., Dudley, Ma. 01571 or email at swojnar@dudleypolice.com. Opinions expressed in this weekly column are those of Chief Wojnar only and unless clearly noted, do not reflect the ideas or opinions of any other organization or citizen. |
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