PEABODY, Mass. -- It's been about 20 years, but a full-time police officer is finally back in downtown Peabody.
Officer Richard Heath, a 24-year veteran of the force, has started patrolling Main, Washington, Foster, Central and Walnut streets Monday to Friday during peak business and traffic hours. A computer workstation is being set up in the basement of the main library, where he can file reports and take phone calls.
City officials say the renewed police presence is important to revitalizing the downtown and working on traffic, parking and quality-of-life issues for businesses and the public.
"As we continue our efforts to revitalize downtown Peabody, public safety is a key area of focus," Mayor Ted Bettencourt said. "This dedicated downtown patrol will serve the needs of residents and business owners alike, while working to improve traffic and pedestrian safety."
Interim police Chief Robert St. Pierre added that it also "reaffirms the department's commitment to community policing."
Heath can often be seen on his motorcycle, but he'll also use a squad car and bicycle, as well as walking the beat.
"It's always been part of someone's patrol area, but it's been quite some time since we've had someone just dedicated to the square," said Lt. Richard Callahan, who supervises the special services/traffic division. Currently, retired officer Robert Brown works part time keeping a watchful eye over the crosswalk at Nichols Lane.
The new patrol is intended to maintain a highly visible police presence around the square, where Heath will meet regularly with merchants and residents for community policing issues, while keeping an eye out for traffic issues and criminal activity.
"I'm happy to have him here," said Martha Holden, director of Peabody Institute Library on Main Street. She said it allows a "great response time" for all sorts of incidents, provides the public with a sense of security to see an officer regularly on the beat and should act as a deterrent to crime. "There's so much good energy in the square right now."
Joan Morrissey of the Peabody Downtown Association agrees. "It's a good step to return to a community feel," she said.
Heath, pausing from his patrol on a recent afternoon, said he's dealing with traffic and parking issues, as well the homeless, shoplifting, disputes and bad checks. The other day, a woman flagged him down, complaining she had been beaten by her boyfriend. They tracked down the boyfriend and tried to resolve the matter.
And here's a helpful hint on parking -- it is unlawful to feed the meter, Heath said. It's short-term parking, so once your hour or two expires, you're supposed to move along. He said it becomes an issue during peak business hours, and he assists with moving those cars along.
City Councilor Dave Gravel said he's pleased about the new patrol. "I've been advocating for it for a long time," he said.
Gravel, who is a Main Street business owner, has argued for a downtown officer over the years, particularly to crack down on speeding and traffic scofflaws. The issue always seemed to come back to money.
Heath's new patrol actually comes at no additional cost to taxpayers, thanks to schedule changes agreed to during collective bargaining.
Copyright 2014 - The Salem News, Beverly, Mass.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
