Hi Joey,
It has been awhile since I’ve updated your readers on things that are going on at the PD. I apologize, as we have been getting ready for summer and Fiesta, and have launched our new initiative on the addiction crisis.
Our new program addressing addiction is off to a great start and I think we are doing some good work getting people off the streets and into treatment. So far, 22 have come in and been placed into treatment. At no cost to any residents. I know it’s gained a lot of attention and I guess my bottom line is this: I do not believe a program like this could have started anywhere but Gloucester. The tightknit, “take care of your neighbor” attitude this City possesses allows us to go against the traditional thinking and simply do the right thing. I’m really proud and humbled to serve here as the Chief of Police. Thank you to all who support this idea.
Fiesta is upon us again! We are keeping our fingers crosses for good weather! Last year’s Fiesta was a great success from a public safety standpoint and from the feedback I received; businesses, residents, and visitors alike all agreed it was what Fiesta is all about –A family event celebrating the City and St. Peter. We expect this year to be no different. We have communicated to businesses our expectations of them to be responsible and cooperative and they have been doing a great job. Our officers are ready to insure a safe and fun atmosphere and we know that the people of Gloucester will be respectful to each other during this event. With that combination, we hope for a repeat of last year, where we had only 15 public safety issues throughout Fiesta that resulted in only 3 arrests. Yes, the horses will be back this year (this time with a pooper scooper). We got great feedback from people who really enjoyed their accessibility and friendliness and they were a great asset late night when things can get a little dicey. I hope to see a lot of your readers again this year. Viva San Pietro!!
We continue to make strides toward certification and accreditation, which are the highest standards a police department can obtain in the state. It is a long process, but we are getting there. We have revamped all of our policies and procedures to be in line with the process and are training our officers in a new way as to provide more professional services to the community.
Look for the new Citizens Police Academy in the fall. We have put about 150 residents through the Academy and it has been a great experience for all involved.
We are in our second year with a school resource officer and the program is going well. It is a partnership with the school system we hope will continue for many years. We have been able to identify and resolve issues before they becomelarger and build relationships with the youth of the City on a whole new level.
Next week we hope to announce, with the support of Mayor Theken, a major addition in our collective fight against domestic violence. Stay tuned.
We have two officers graduating from the MBTA Police Academy in July and we look forward to welcoming them on.
We have a second Animal Control Officer, fully trained now and working daily. We are working on not only enforcing the new ordinances, but in encouraging proper registration and working with responsible dog owners to make sure all voices are heard and we are following what the community want.
We continue to address all quality of life issues, including parking, animal control issues, speeding, and other daily issues that can frustrate and cause problems. We are always available to hear your concerns about making the City a better place to live and work.
As always, I can be reached directly for any and all questions and concerns at 978-281-9775 or lcampanello@gloucester-ma.gov
Thanks Joey, I hope you and your readers enjoy Fiesta and the summer season, and let me once again say how happy and humbled I am to be the Chief of Police in this great City.
Lenny
Respectfully,
Leonard Campanello
Chief of Police
City of Gloucester, MA
Good Morning Gloucester 
Thanks, Chief. You’re like a breath of fresh air.
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Having grown up in Gloucester in the days of Chief Coyle, a good man and “Cop” but not much of a PR person, it’s amazing to see the growth and transition the Gloucester Police Department is going through. With headlines so focused on every movement and action of all police departments, transparency and openness is key for any community to fully embrace the slogan “To serve and to protect” both on the citizen side as well as on the law enforcement side. Continued and active open engagement by the Police Department at all levels as well as appreciation and understanding by the citizenry of what the “Cop on the beat” has to deal with every day will continue to insure that the Police and Community are one in the same.
Chief Campanello,
Keep up the good work and don’t let distractors within and without sway you from your mission.
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