Chief’s Corner
By Chief Steven J. Wojnar Dudley Police Department I recently received a question relative to motor vehicle license plates. A person wished to know the rules regarding license plate holders or decorative brackets. I was asked to address what is, or is not, allowed. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Section 6 and the Department of Transportation provide rules and regulations regarding the display of number plates. The General Laws state in part, “number plates shall be kept clean with the numbers legible and shall not be obscured in any manner by the installation of any device obscuring said numbers, and during the period when the vehicle or trailer is required to display lights the rear register number shall be illuminated so as to be plainly visible at a distance of sixty feet.” According to the Massachusetts Registry, license plate frames or holders are not “illegal,” provided they do not cover any part of the writing on the plates. Number plates are to be “undamaged, securely mounted, clean and clearly visible. No bumper, trailer hitch or other accessory may interfere with a clear view of the license plates.” It is also important, if you wish to use a clear or plastic cover over them, it must meet all requirements for visibility. If a license plate holder meets these qualifications, they may be permitted. However, for a vehicle to pass annual inspection, the holder or frame cannot cover or obscure any portion of the writing on the plate. If this happens, the vehicle will not pass, and the holder would need to be removed. These situations are decided on a case-by-case basis by the people operating the inspection stations. Their opinions can differ at times. Take a few moments to review your situation. If you require clarification on your vehicle, you may want to contact or stop in at your local inspection station, or a Registry of Motor Vehicles office for an opinion. Monday, August 2nd marks a sad milestone. This would be Molly Bish’s 38th birthday. Molly disappeared from her lifeguard post at Comins Pond in Warren, Mass. on June 27, 2000. Her body was discovered in nearby Palmer, Mass on June 9, 2003. Although some persons of interest have been identified over the years, the case remains unsolved. Since her disappearance, Molly’s parents, John and Maggie Bish, and her siblings, Heather and John Jr. have been tenacious in their fight to find Molly’s killer. They have also undertaken many initiatives to protect children. They have taken a devastating situation and turned it into many positives. |
I had the privilege of getting to know this wonderful family and the honor to participate with them in many programs designed to protect children and prevent future incidents of abduction. They are active in the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Massachusetts Missing Children’s Day, and many others. I recently worked alongside Heather and other professionals on the Massachusetts Missing Children’s Task Force, designed to propose legislation to assist in preventing abductions and aid law enforcement in their efforts to solve cases. It is a personal honor to know the Bish’s and it would be extremely satisfying to solve this case. Please take a moment to remember Molly and her terrific family in your thoughts this week. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mass State Police tip line at 508-453-7575. One of many heartfelt videos has been posted on Heather Bish’s Tik Tok Page: user691003173431 (@heatherkbish) TikTok | Watch user691003173431's Newest TikTok Videos
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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