Chief’s Corner
By Chief Steven J. Wojnar Dudley Police Department With the passing of Halloween, my favorite holiday of the year, Thanksgiving, is right around the corner. The pandemic has certainly changed many things in our lives and certainly makes us appreciate the ability to gather. Take time to enjoy this time of the year and hopefully, we will all be able to enjoy the festivities and excitement of the Christmas holiday season soon. People who like to get a jump on their holiday purchases will be buying gifts now in preparation for the season. This may be even more prevalent this year, due to the continued impacts of the pandemic. Shipping delays can also be a challenge. More and more people are shopping on-line. By doing this, they can avoid the crowds and lines at malls and simply shop from the convenience of home. This results in an influx of package deliveries. With thefts of packages left on doorsteps prevalent during this time of the year, I wanted to provide some safety tips as a reminder for everyone. The number one goal of on-line purchasing is to receive your items in a timely manner. Packages should be delivered to your residence if you will be there or to a trusted family member, friend, or neighbor. Leaving items unattended outside your home can be risky. If the item is taken illegally, you may not be aware of this until long after the incident. The best method of ensuring your delivery arrives safe is to arrange in advance to have these packages delivered while someone is at home or to leave them with a person you know. It is always important to track your packages while they are in transit. Most companies provide tracking numbers and have up to date information on where your package is located. Check this process early and often. This can be done over the phone or on-line. If you experience any problems or have questions, contact the company or person who is responsible for shipping your package. Safeguarding your investment is important to make sure your holidays are happy and not frustrating. Speaking of gifts, and with the holiday season soon upon us, our department will once again be collecting Christmas gift donations for resident families in need. New and unwrapped toys and clothing can be brought to the Dudley Police Department at 71 West Main Street. Of need in the past were gifts for children between the ages of 10 – 15 years old. |
Monetary donations as well as gift cards to area businesses are also accepted. Anything remaining is distributed locally (at places such as Webster / Dudley Food Share) for families on our two towns.Checks should be made payable to the “Dudley Police Association” with a special note for the Holiday Drive. Sergeant Marek Karlowicz, Officer Chandler Boyd, and Officer Luis Pacheco will be once again leading this year’s drive. Their efforts are greatly appreciated. The Dudley Police Department thanks everyone in advance for their continued generosity. Despite what many may believe, people in our area have a need and, thanks to you, we have assisted numerous local families in the past. Anything you can give will help bring some happiness to those who would otherwise go without during this holiday season.
On a side note, we have been experiencing some difficulties with our department Facebook Page. We are working on this and hope to have this corrected shortly to be back on-line soon. 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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