ALERTS: None at this time!
The Board of Selectmen welcomed two new police officers, John DiFrancesco and Anthony Robinson, at their February 4, 2019 meeting. The officers were sworn in by Clerk Cheryl Bowen, with the Board offering congratulations, and support for our public safety personnel. Congratulations to officers DiFrancesco and Robinson.
The Seabrook Board of Selectmen, at their meeting of September 17, 2018, recognized and thanked Police Officer Jim Deshaies for his many years of service upon his retirement. Officer Deshaies spent many years as the School Resource Officer, and earned the respect and affection of the students he served. The Board of Selectmen offered their best wishes for a well deserved retirement for Officer Jim Deshaies.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Seabrook Police Department
Swimmers Pulled From Ocean at Seabrook Beach
At approximately 12:25 PM on Sunday August 19, 2018 the Seabrook Police Department responded to the area of 131 Ocean Drive for a report of multiple swimmers struggling in the water off Seabrook Beach. The Seabrook Fire Department responded and the Hampton Fire Department and Hampton Beach lifeguards responded with a rescue boat and jet skis.
Seabrook Officers John Giarrusso and Zach Bunszell were the first on scene. Officer Giarrusso shed his duty gear and entered the water assisting several of the parties to shore before returning to the water on a surfboard to search for the last party unaccounted for. Sergeant Dave Buccheri, K9 Officer Dave Hersey, Acting Chief of Police Brett Walker, and Lieutenant Jason Allen arrived shortly thereafter.
A female party pulled from the water was transported to the Seabrook Emergency Room.
The last male party was pulled from the water at 12:59 PM by a Hampton Beach lifeguard and transported to Anna Jaques Hospital.
A total of seven parties were pulled from the water including the six original swimmers in distress and one good Samaritan who aided in the rescues.
Seabrook Acting Chief of Police Brett Walker stated, “The quick and selfless actions of the police officers, firefighters, and lifeguards was essential in removing all parties from the rough waters today. The interagency teamwork was exemplary given the circumstances. Our officers on scene, along with the Seabrook and Hampton Fire Departments and lifeguards, quickly and efficiently coordinated both a targeted search and rescue area for those in the water as well as land-based evacuation for those requiring transport.”
CodeRed alerts as well as posts on the Seabrook Police Department Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts advised of the dangerous currents and to avoid swimming off of Seabrook Beach following the incident.
The names of those involved are not being released at this time and the conditions of those transported is not available. Anyone with information regarding this accident is asked to contact Officer Zach Bunszell at 603-474-5200. This incident remains under investigation.
Police Chief Michael Gallagher, at the July 16, 2018 Board of Selectmen meeting, announced his retirement from the Police Department effective August 1, 2018. Chief Gallagher has performed just about every job for the Seabrook Police Department, and has had a very distinguished career. The Seabrook Board of Selectmen offered strong praise for Chief Gallagher after his announcement, highlighting his leadership in the battle against the scourge of opioids. Chief Gallagher will be missed.
Some biographical information on Chief Gallagher.
Chief Michael Gallagher served four years active duty in US Army Airborne Special Operations units (1982-1986) and was trained as a Special Forces Medic.
Chief Gallagher was hired as a full-time police officer by the Town of Seabrook in 1989 and attended the 88th NH Police Academy. In his 29 year career in Seabrook he has served as a Patrolman, Police Prosecutor, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant in charge of the Services Division, Lieutenant, Deputy Chief of Police, and Chief of Police.
In 1994 Chief Gallagher was given a Medal of Honor by the Manchester Union Leader for his actions in pulling two crash victims from a burning car.
In 2009, in response to the prescription drug overdose epidemic, Chief Gallagher started the first prescription drug takeback program in New Hampshire, where the community can drop off unused or unwanted prescription medications 24 hours a day.
In his efforts to better connect with the public, Chief Gallagher began regular Coffee with a Cop events at various locations in the town which gave the public an opportunity to meet the officers serving their community. Chief Gallagher also revived the Seabrook PD K9 program in the fall of 2017 with the addition of K9 Henry to the agency.
The Board of Selectmen recognized and honored retiring Seabrook Police Officer Chet Felch for his long and distinguished career at yesterdays Board meeting. Congratulations and best wishes to Chet as he embarks upon a well deserved retirement.
The Seabrook Board of Selectmen, at their March 5, 2018 meeting, were introduced to the Seabrook Police Department’s newest addition, K-9 Dog Henry. The K-9 Program was brought back to Seabrook by the Board of Selectmen, who authorized the initial funding. The project is an initiative of Chief Michael Gallagher, who designated Officer David Hersey as Seabrook’s dog officer. Henry is an approximately 20-month-old Belgian Malinois. Officer Hersey and Henry graduated from the Boston Police Canine Academy in December 2017 and are a patrol certified police canine team. Currently Henry can do article searches (such as for evidence of a crime like a mask, clothing, knives, firearms, wallet, etc), area searches, building searches, tracking (like a missing person), and apprehension (assisting in taking a person into custody). Henry lives with Officer Hersey and they have formal training 8 to 16 hours per month. Officer Hersey and Henry train while off-duty, as well. Officer Hersey and Henry will be attending training in August to become certified in detecting narcotics. Officer Hersey and Henry are currently assigned to the evening patrol shift. Officer Hersey says Henry has adjusted well to family life as well as police work and is proving to be a valuable asset to the Seabrook PD. Henry’s capabilities as a police canine will continue to improve as he matures and gains more experience in the field. Funding for the Seabrook PD canine program was provided by a grant from the Stanton Foundation as well as the estate of Elmo D’Alessandro.
The Seabrook Board of Selectmen were on hand at the Seabrook Emergency Room to accept a donation from Portsmouth Hospital, who donated 8 “AED” units to the Seabrook Police Department. An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable device that checks the heart rhythm and can send an electric shock to the heart to try to restore a normal rhythm. AEDs are used to treat sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). SCA is a condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating.
The Seabrook Police Department has AEDs in each of its marked patrol vehicles. While the Seabrook Fire Department is the primary department responsible for responding to medical aid calls, Seabrook Police officers can sometimes be closer to serious medical aid requests when they are out patrolling our streets. Over the years, Seabrook Police officers have deployed the AEDs they carry several times and have had at least one documented save using the AED in 2010.
Seabrook Police Department’s current AEDs were donated in the early 2000’s by Exeter Hospital. Needless to say, the current AEDs are 15+ years old and (for various reasons) are in need of replacement. The Seabrook Police Department has a good working relationship with the Seabrook Emergency Room and turned to them for assistance. The Seabrook Emergency Room administration jumped at the opportunity to outfit the Seabrook Police with eight (8) new Philips AED’s for each of our marked patrol vehicles.
The Board of Selectmen thank Portsmouth Hospital for this generous donation, and recognize the great work by Police Chief Gallagher, and Police Lieutenant Kevin Gelineau in working with Portsmouth Regional Hospital to facilitate this donation.
The Seabrook Police Department had their annual food drive before Christmas, and it was a huge success. They collected more food than last year, which will be used to help families in need. Thanks to all those who helped to fill up that trailer with food for families that need assistance this holiday season, and thanks to our Police Officers who worked so hard to put it together. Thank you to Market Basket for all of their help as well.
On September 21, 2017 the Seabrook Police Department held a wide ranging program dealing with opioid misuse, with speakers from across the spectrum of approaches to this scourge impacting Seabrook, New Hampshire, and our nation. I am very appreciative of the efforts of Police Lieutenant Kevin Gelineau, who put the program together. Thanks to Police Chief Michael Gallagher, Fire Chief William Edwards, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan, the Director of the N.H. Police Forensic Laboratory Tim Pifer, Lt. Joseph Ebert of the N.H. State Police, Special Agent Jon Delena of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, Doctor Cheryl Wilkie of the Farnum Center, Marty Boldin from the Office of Governor Chris Sununu, Kim Haney of Granite Pathways, Elizabeth Miller of Safe Harbor Recovery, and Olivia Dupell of the Seacoast Public Health Network. We had a special screening of the powerful film “Just the One Time” and we are so grateful that Jim and Jeanne Moser, who made the film about the loss of their son Adam were on hand to discuss the film, and the important lessons we can all take from their experience. (That film is below) Our sincere thanks to Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety in New Hampshire Robert Quinn, who gave so much of his time to make this night a success. The remarks by Senator Hassan are also below, and I will place additional video from the event in the days to come.
As we attack the misuse of opioids it is vital to remember that it is a complex societal issue, and that different approaches need to be made simultaneously to combat the problem. There are no easy solutions, and there is not a “one size fits all approach” that will bring victory.
Please join us on Thursday September 21, 2017 at the Seabrook Community Center, 311 Lafayette Road in Seabrook, for a night of discussion on how to turn the tide on Opioid misuse. The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will feature a multitude of speakers, including Senator Maggie Hassan, Special Agent John Delena of the DEA, and Marty Boldin from the office of Governor Chris Sununu. The Seabrook Police Department, with the strong support of the Board of Selectmen, has organized this event, and Police Chief Gallagher and Lt. Gelineau will discuss the future of policing centered on addiction in Seabrook. We hope to have a productive, and informative, session. The program will end at 8:00 p.m. and will feature a short Q&A session at 7:50. We look forward to seeing you.
