SOUTH SHORE SHERIFFS AT HELM OF MSA

February 3, 2010

PLYMOUTH— Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald Jr. was recently reelected as Vice President of the Massachusetts Sheriffs Association [MSA] for 2010. Continued below Twitter feed...

 

 

This marks McDonald’s second year in the leadership position. He pledged to continue work on securing steady funding for county sheriffs.

Sheriff McDonald cited the progress and efficiencies made by the sheriffs’ transition from county to state government as MSA’s biggest accomplishments of the last year; “It’s a smart reform; but there’s more work to be done.”

Sheriff McDonald now serves alongside MSA President Michael Bellotti, Sheriff of Norfolk County, and represents the 14 offices of sheriff statewide.

Sheriff McDonald is one of the newest members of the Association. He took office in January 2005.

 

 

DEPARTMENT TO HONOR 9 RETIREES WITH RECOGNITION DINNER MARCH 5, 2010

January 21, 2010

PLYMOUTH— The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department is hosting a retirement dinner on Friday, March 5, 2010 to recognize the work of its dedicated employees.

Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald Jr. and the Sheriff’s Department Retirement Committee will honor nine retirees during the 2nd annual ceremony.

Retirees will receive a plaque and enjoy a buffet dinner and dancing.

The event will take place at the Monponsett Inn, Rt. 58 Halifax. Tickets, $25 each, may be purchased by February 25th. Please call 508-830-6204.

 

 

SHERIFFS GATHER AT THE PORTRAIT AND BUILDING DEDICATION IN HONOR OF FORMER SHERIFF PETER Y. FLYNN

December 23, 2009

L to R: Dukes Sheriff Michael McCormack, Barnstable Sheriff James Cummings, Honoree Sheriff Flynn, Hampden Sheriff Michael J. Ashe, and Plymouth Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald Jr.

About Peter Y. Flynn

Peter Y. Flynn was elected the 26th High Sheriff of Plymouth County and took office in January 1981. He was reelected twice and served honorably until he retired in 1994.

Before winning election as Plymouth County’s chief law enforcement officer, Flynn represented the 8th Plymouth District in the Massachusetts legislature for four consecutive terms. In his 8 years on Beacon Hill, he served as Chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Safety, Chairman of the Emission Control Commission, and Vice-Chairman of the Ethics Committee.

Sheriff Flynn received a BA from Bridgewater State College and as Masters Degree from Boston University. In 1968, having attained the rank of Sergeant, Sheriff Flynn was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Reserve.

Mr. Flynn holds many professional affiliations including the National Sheriffs Association, the America Correctional Associations, the American Jail Association, and the National Association of Chiefs of Police.

Known as an innovator in his 14 years as Sheriff, Mr. Flynn’s lasting gift to this community was the design, construction and financing of the largest correctional facility under one roof in New England.

Sheriff Flynn remains active in public safety as President of Alternative Corrections Methods, the consulting firm he formed after retiring from the office of Sheriff. Also, in his role as Co-Founder of Bi2 Technologies, he’s putting iris biometric technology into the hands of the nation’s corrections professionals.

Flynn and his wife Nancy reside in Falmouth, Massachusetts and have two children, Beth and Peter Jr.

 

PLYMOUTH COUNTY CORRECTION OFFICER RECEIVES MERITORIOUS RECOGNITION AWARD AT STATEWIDE CORRECTIONAL CEREMONY
December 23, 2009

PLYMOUTH— Plymouth County Correction Officer Donald Wilkerson stood Friday [12/18/09] with fellow officers at the county and state level for what he called, “a once in a lifetime honor.”

Wilkerson was presented with a meritorious recognition award during the annual Correctional Employee of the Year ceremony held in the House Chambers at the Statehouse.

Secretary Kevin Burke, CO Wilkerson, and Sheriff McDonald as Wilkerson is recognized in the House Chamber by attendees of the annual Correctional Employee of the Year Award ceremony.

In the ceremony, presided over by Public Safety Secretary Kevin M. Burke, those in attendance heard of Officer Wilkerson’s off-duty response to a gunshot incident in Plymouth in April of 2008.

Secretary Burke called Wilkerson’s actions in controlling the incident and assisting local and state police in their investigation the definition of ‘selfless service’. His actions earned him a place among 12 other individual and group winners for their service to corrections and the community.

Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald Jr. said, “I am proud of Officer Wilkerson’s work inside the correctional facility and more proud he was able to use his training to diffuse a dangerous situation on the outside.”

Background: PCSD Honor Guard, Foreground L to R: Sheriff McDonald, CO Wilkerson, Superintendent Brian Gillen and Assistant Superintendent Antone Moniz.

The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard, under the direction of Commander Dwayne Fortes, posted colors for the duration of the event.

Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald, Jr. Announces First Award in the nation by the National Sheriffs’ Association’s Federally Funded Program to Implement Innovative Biometric Technology System to Protect Children and Seniors and Better Identify, Register and Track Inmates and Convicted Sex Offenders

November 30, 2009

(Plymouth, MA) – Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald, Jr. announced the award of the first federal funded iris biometric grant from the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA). The grant was made possible by the financial support of the Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. The grant will enable his office to join Sheriffs and law enforcement agencies across the nation who have implemented The Child Project?, Senior Safety Net?, I.R.I.S? and SORIS?. The system enables law enforcement agencies to enroll, identify and locate missing children and adults through the use of iris recognition biometric technology. The system will also enable the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office to better identify, register and track inmates and convicted sex offenders.

 

At a press conference held at the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, 26 Long Pond Road, Plymouth, Massachusetts, at 2:30 PM on Monday, November 30, 2009, Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald, Jr. announced the grant award and demonstrated the system.

Sheriff McDonald said, “I am honored and pleased to announce this grant award and the implementation and availability of this innovative technology for the citizens of Plymouth County and the State of Massachusetts. I am particularly pleased that the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office has been chosen by the National Sheriffs’ Association to be the first recipient of this innovative technology grant.

Sheriff McDonald continued, “As sworn law enforcement officers, we do everything we can each day to protect the citizens of our communities – particularly those most vulnerable like our children and seniors. We constantly strive to embrace new and proven techniques and technologies to improve public safety. Iris biometric technology and The Child Project? are excellent examples of this innovation. With this grant we will be able to expand our capabilities at no cost to the taxpayers of Plymouth County.”

Peter Y. Flynn, retired Sheriff of Plymouth County, Massachusetts and a co-founder of The Child Project? and BI2 Technologies said, “We are honored that Sheriff McDonald has taken such a leadership role in this national effort. This federally funded grant is a direct result of the hard work and commitment of Sheriff Aaron Kennard and the National Sheriffs’ Association. As a former Sheriff, I know first-hand the challenges Sheriff McDonald faces each day. So, in recognition of the outstanding job he and all the professionals of the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office do each day, I am truly honored to be part of the first grant award.”

Sheriff Flynn continued, “The Child Project? and related iris biometric systems the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office is receiving today is part a secure nationwide network and registry that enables law enforcement and social service agencies to enroll, locate and positively identify missing children and adults with iris biometric recognition technology. Through this network, The Child Project? compares the unique features contained in the iris against a database of individuals who voluntarily enroll throughout the country to determine identity. Participation is entirely voluntary, just as it is now with fingerprint and photo ID card programs.”

CHRISTMAS TREES SALES AT COUNTY FARM START SATURDAY
November 23, 2009

PLYMOUTH— Ready or not, Christmas trees sales begin the Saturday after Thanksgiving at the Plymouth County farm.

Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald Jr. said, “We look forward to seeing our loyal customers back for their holiday decorations. Along with trees, we will have wreaths and poinsettias for sale”.

Shoppers can visit our petting zoo and also take advantage of extended hours for Christmas tree sales, 8am to 8pm starting November 28. Farm proceeds fund rehabilitative and vocational programs for inmates at the Plymouth County Correctional Facility.

The farm is located off Route 3, Exit 5 on Obery Street in Plymouth.
For more information on the farm, or to sign-up for the farm’s email newsletter, click here: http://www.pcsdma.org/Farm_And_Petting_Zoo.asp

THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT FOUNDATION, SUFFOLK DOWNS AND FIELDS FAMILY FOUNDATION ESTABLISH HOME FOR RETIRED RACEHORSES AT PLYMOUTH COUNTY SHERIFF’S FARM

November 10, 2009

L to R: Richard Fields, Red Miah, Diana Pikulski, and Sheriff McDonald welcome the retired racehorses to their new stalls in the renovated dairy barn. Photo Courtesy: Chip Bott

 

PLYMOUTH, MA - The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) and Suffolk Downs, through the support of the Fields Family Foundation, have established a home for retired racehorses at the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Farm in Plymouth, MA, where inmates from the Plymouth County Correctional Facility will care for the horses as part of the facility’s extensive vocational program.

On Tuesday, four retired thoroughbreds from Suffolk Downs arrived at the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s Second Chances at Plymouth County Sheriff’s Farm, where they were brought to their new stalls in a barn renovated by inmates. They will be joined by additional retirees in the future.

“This facility is the perfect addition to our program with Suffolk Downs and our partnership with the Fields Family Foundation,” said Diana Pikulski, Executive Director of the TRF. “Now, the Suffolk horses can give back to the community in which they race. We are thrilled to have this new facility be here at the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Farm. The sheriff and all of his staff exude the very sentiments that make the TRF program work so well. This is about horses and people helping each other.”

Founded in 1982, the TRF’s mission is to save Thoroughbred horses no longer able to compete on the racetrack from possible neglect, abuse and slaughter. In pursuing this mission, the TRF has found an ancillary purpose to provide much needed and successful programs for incarcerated men, women and juveniles. This unique program began at the Wallkill Correctional Facility in New York and has been replicated at facilities in Kentucky, Florida, South Carolina, Iowa, Indiana, Virginia, Maryland and now Massachusetts.

 

 

“We are pleased and honored to be the first correctional agency in Massachusetts to participate in this worthy program,” said Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald, Jr. “This program is appropriately named as it will offer a true ‘second chance’ or new lease on life to both the retired Thoroughbred horses and our inmate trainees. To me, this is what our correctional mission is all about.”

The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department operates the 90-acre Plymouth County Farm in Plymouth at the site of the old jail. The farm was placed in conservancy in October 2008 as a living reminder of Plymouth’s agricultural heritage. The farm has experienced a tremendous resurgence as a horticultural center and petting zoo under Sheriff McDonald, while at the same time serving as a vocational program for inmates housed at the Plymouth County Correctional Facility.

Led by principal owner and horse enthusiast Richard Fields, Suffolk Downs has demonstrated a commitment to the lifetime care of Thoroughbreds once their racing careers are over, becoming the first racetrack in the country to implement a strict anti-slaughter policy for owners and trainers with horses stabled on its grounds.

“The horses are the real stars of our great sport and they deserve to be taken care of appropriately when they are retired from racing,” said Fields. “I applaud both the TRF and the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department for their hard work and cooperation in making this day possible. I would also like to thank the Massachusetts State Racing Commission for its help in establishing this great partnership. It’s great to know that Suffolk Downs horses have a safe place to go right in their home state.”

The Fields Family Foundation, founded by Fields, provides support and resources to charitable organizations, focusing on the needs of children, law enforcement, medical research, and equine causes throughout the United States.

PLYMOUTH SHERIFF TO HOST HEALTH FAIR FOR GIC TRANSITION
Fair, On-Site Enrollment Tues. Nov. 10, 2009 11am to 6pm

October 23, 2009

PLYMOUTH— The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department will host one of several Health Fairs this fall to aid the state in transitioning 18,000 employees, retirees, survivors and eligible dependents into the Group Health Insurance Commission (GIC).

“Selecting a health plan is a serious decision. We want to make sure everyone is making the most informed choice,” Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald Jr. said.

The Sheriff is encouraging all those affected by the transition –employees, retirees, survivors and eligible dependents to attend the fair on November 10th.

Health care representatives from each GIC plan will be available to answer questions and human resources personnel from many of the 7 county sheriffs’ offices will conduct on-site enrollment.

A GIC benefit decision guide for sheriff and Department of Transportation employees is available online at www.mass.gov/gic. A retiree/survivor/dependent guide is also available.

The Health Fair will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 from 11am to 6pm in the Sheriff’s Public Safety Building, 24 Long Pond Road Plymouth, MA.

For more information and a list of materials needed for on-site enrollment, please call 508-830-6331.The transition into the GIC takes effect February 1, 2010.

Storybook Visit
September 15, 2009

Sheriff says Hearty Mums in Bloom at Farm
August 31, 2009

PLYMOUTH— Mums the word at the Plymouth County Farm. Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald Jr. is pleased to announce the 16,000 chrysanthemums planted this summer are beginning to bloom.

“The Department’s farm officers and inmate workers have been busy tending to these fall favorites. The mums are now ready for your garden,” the Sheriff said.

The Sheriff’s Department Horticultural Center offers competitive prices on its plants and also features a free Petting Zoo. The center is open daily 9am-3pm at its Obery Street, Plymouth location.

The real kick-off to fall at the farm will be Saturday October 3rd as the Sheriff’s Department hosts its annual Harvest Festival. Watch for event details in your local newspaper and online at www.pcsdma.org.

Placed in conservancy last year, the Plymouth County Farm has been in continuous operation for more than 100 years. Proceeds from farm sales help fund inmate vocational and rehabilitative programs at the Plymouth County Correctional Facility.

 

Boston PD Horses Join Plymouth County Sheriff's Mounted Unit
June 30, 2009

PLYMOUTH— Four horses from the disbanded Boston Police Mounted Unit are settling into their new home today at the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department Farm on Obery Street in Plymouth.

The Boston horses join Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald Jr.’s Mounted Unit which is staffed by volunteer deputies—all with extensive equestrian backgrounds.

The mounts will live on our 90-acre farm, which was placed into conservancy last fall. The farm has a petting zoo and greenhouse business open to the public and operates as an inmate vocational program for those serving time at the Plymouth County Correctional Facility.

Plymouth County is prepared to return the horses to Boston Police if funding becomes available. In the meantime, the four will be integrated into the Sheriff’s unit and be available for search and rescue as well as crowd control situations.

Sheriff McDonald said, “I am saddened by the loss of tradition for the city and hope we are only safekeeping the horses for Boston.”

Head of the Sheriff’s Mounted Unit Captain Daniel Callahan says anytime with Boston’s experienced horses will be of great value, “We’ve been loaned the older of Boston’s horses—Pelli is 14; but we’ll take him. Our horse Rocky is still working at age 26.”

 

‘MAJOR HEADCOUNT’ to represent PCSD in Plymouth’s Relay for Life
June 12, 2009

PLYMOUTH— Her enthusiasm is contagious, her spirit unstoppable so this will come as no surprise to her many acquaintances. Sheriff’s Department Outreach Coordinator, Liisa Budge Johnson is leading the department’s Relay for Life team at the end of the month.

Budge-Johnson, while finishing breast cancer treatment, formed team ‘Major Headcount’ to participate in the American Cancer Society’s Relay event to be held at the Plymouth South High School June 26-27.

“Many people in this department, like everywhere, have been or will be touched by cancer. I am extremely proud of Liisa’s efforts creating a team made up of her colleagues and cancer survivors,” Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald Jr. said.

Cancer survivors Warrant Unit Lt. John Buckley and Deputy Gail Clougherty will also be participating.

Though the Sheriff’s team signed up late for this year’s Relay, members are still engaged in fundraising. If you’d like to donate to the Cancer Society through ‘Major Headcount’ log onto www.pcsdma.org and look for the link on the homepage.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
June 3, 2009

Torch Run Draws 50 Runners, $5,000 for Special Olympics
May 21, 2009

PLYMOUTH— The Plymouth County Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics attracted 50 runners from area law enforcement agencies and raised $5,000 on May 15.

This is the third consecutive year the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department has headed up the effort. Some area law enforcement agencies will be out again in support of the Special Olympics on June 20; the agencies will participate in a cruiser convoy to open the summer games.

Photo L to R: Sheriff’s Department community outreach coordinator Liisa Budge-Johnson, athlete Amanda Church of Easton, Special Olympics South Section Director Jay O’Brien, Sheriff’s general counsel Patrick Lee, and Sheriff Joseph McDonald are pictured at the start of the 22-mile Torch Run. Eastern Bank in West Plymouth Plaza served as the starting point and generously donated $1,000.

See a YouTube video from the opening ceremony:

County Farm Festival 5/9 to Honor Moms
April 30, 2009

PLYMOUTH— The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department is celebrating the spring season with a Mother’s Day festival on Saturday May 9, 2009.

Sheriff McDonald says “Bring your mothers or grandmothers and treat them to some beautiful flowers for her garden. She’ll be able to enjoy the blooms all season long”.

While the focus is on Mom, there will be events to occupy the whole family including: a sheep shearing demonstration, K-9 and Mounted Unit demonstrations, a presentation by Rainforest Reptiles of Beverly at 11am and fingerprinting for kids.

The first 200 moms will receive a reusable shopping bag with an historic farm logo. The first 300 kids will receive t-shirts. The event runs from 9am to 3pm.

‘Mom’ is on the mind at the farm these days, six mother cows are bonding with their babies born this week, and visitors can see a little lamb and its mother nuzzling at the Petting Zoo.

Community members can sign-up for an email newsletter which will feature news and events from the County Farm by clicking HERE

Sheriff’s Spokesfowl Welcomes Spring
April 1, 2009

PLYMOUTH— The arrival of spring at the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Farm will mean more than the thousands of fresh blooming annuals and plants this year – Beak the Chicken is back to greet local visitors and tourists.

• 11 years old
• Worked from 1999-2009
• Fathered 24 puppies, one is Plymouth County Sheriff Sgt. James Noland’s current K-9 partner Dargo
• In 2002, placed 5th out of 60 in a National Iron Dog competition in Washington, DC.
• Starred in 100+ K-9 demonstrations all over the county in his career, children may remember petting or hugging Reno
  
  

SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT TO HOST MARROW DONOR DRIVE FOR CORRECTION OFFICER CHRIS LeMOING
January 5, 2009

PLYMOUTH— On January 14th the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department will rally around Correction Officer Chris LeMoing and the thousands around the globe battling leukemia.

The department is hosting a volunteer marrow drive that day hoping to find a marrow match for Chris and others waiting for their perfect match.

“We are encouraging department employees, county employees, our fellow law enforcement brethren and the public to stop in. This initial test is simple. Bring your insurance card and be ready for a cheek swab,” Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald Jr. said.

The drive will take place from 5am to 6pm at Sheriff’s Headquarters, 24 Long Pond Road, Plymouth.

Specialists from UMass Memorial Medical Center and the Caitlin Raymond International Registry, CRIR, will be conducting the drive and welcome healthy donors between the ages of 16 and 60.

If you’ve already enrolled in a registry, it may be time to do it again. The registry encourages anyone who has registered via a blood draw to come in for this new cheek swab procedure.

The CRIR is affiliated with more than 90 international registries and has access to 6.4 million donors; but for thousands of patients, like Chris, their perfect match has yet to be found.

For more information, visit www.crir.org or call 800-726-2824.