Newburyport PD Update: Covid-19
March 13, 2020
For Immediate Release
Newburyport, MA —
In order to continue providing the best police services to the Newburyport community, the Newburyport PD will be limiting our face-to-face interactions when possible. We are concerned with the health and well-being of our staff as well as the public we serve. As this virus continues to spread our goal is to maintain a healthy police force for the continuation of services without resorting to contingency plans.
Until further notice, the Newburyport PD is suspending walk-in services as they pertain to fingerprinting, VIN checks, records requests, non-violent past offenses, medication drop-off, etc. Please call or email the police department for any records requests. NEW applications for firearms licensing are on hold. RENEWALS only may mail a completed form (found on mass.gov or the resources tab on our website) and a check for $100 (made out to “City of Newburyport”) to the police station c/o licensing officer Sgt. William Steeves.
Records Clerk: Susan McGrath, 978-462-4411 smcgrath@newburyportpolice.com
Records Access Officer: Lt. Richard Siemasko, 978-462-4411 rsiemasko@newburyportpolice.com
Walk-in service for non-emergencies is suspended and we ask that you call the police station instead. As a temporary change, non-emergency matters may be reported over the phone and an officer will be assigned to follow-up with you. This applies to a variety of less serious offenses that ARE NOT IN PROGRESS. In these cases officers will be utilizing email for statements or photos needed for the report.
If it is determined that a response by an officer is warranted please understand that they are likely to keep a “safe distance” and unlikely to shake hands, etc. Again, this is out of an abundance of caution to keep our staff and the public safe and not an indicator of the officers’ friendliness or willingness to help.
OFFICERS WILL ALWAYS RESPOND TO CRIMES OF VIOLENCE AND CRIMES AGAINST A PERSON.
Rest assured, that we are here for you as you would expect. IF YOU NEED US CALL US. We only are making a temporary change to the way we provide services, but are committed to the same excellent service that the community deserves.
We will continue to monitor the constantly evolving recommendations for health and safety as they relate to Covid-19.
Thank you for your cooperation. The latest recommendations and updates can be found below:
MA Department of Public Health
https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/
World Health Organization
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
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