Recently around Massachusetts, several threatening calls to school districts have been made. On Tuesday, 2/14/2023 at 10:15 A.M. the South Shore Regional Dispatch Center received a call from someone threatening the Cohasset Middle High School campus. Cohasset Police personnel were immediately dispatched to all schools and confirmed the call was in fact not credible and a hoax. This call is similar to other calls some Massachusetts schools have been getting throughout the past 48 hours. Once again, proper safety procedures were followed and there is no active credible threat. Police officers and school administration officials will remain on all Cohasset campuses until further notice. Cohasset Police Detectives are investigating the source of the calls and are working with other area law enforcement officials.
Town of Cohasset Offers Safety Tips Ahead of Arctic Blast
The Town of Cohasset, Cohasset Police, Cohasset Fire and the Cohasset Emergency Management Agency would like to provide cold weather and ice safety tips to the community ahead of what is forecast to be a dangerously cold weekend.
From Friday into Saturday morning, an arctic blast is forecast to move through the northeast region of the U.S. with local temperatures predicted by the National Weather Service (NWS) to be in the single digits, with wind chills predicted to fall below -20°F.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cold weather-induced illnesses such as frostbite can occur even in temperatures above 40°F if a person becomes chilled by rain or sweat, or is submerged in cold water.
The Town of Cohasset, Cohasset Police, Cohasset Fire and the Cohasset Emergency Management Agency wish to share the following tips from the CDC to help keep residents safe in cold weather situations and conditions:
When going outdoors, adults and children should wear:
- A hat
- Scarf or knit mask to cover face and mouth
- Long sleeves that are snug at the wrist
- Mittens (they are warmer than gloves)
- Water-resistant coat and boots
Residents are also reminded to layer their clothing strategically:
- When choosing an inner layer, wear fabrics that will hold more body heat and fabrics that do not absorb moisture. Wool, silk, or polypropylene will hold more body heat than cotton.
- Wear a layer of clothing for insulation. An insulation layer will help you retain heat by trapping air close to your body. Natural fibers, like wool, goose down, or a fleece work best.
- Select your outer layer carefully. The outermost layer helps protect you from wind, rain, and snow. It should be tightly woven, and preferably water and wind resistant, to reduce loss of body heat.
Other tips
- Try to stay dry while outdoors, as wet clothing chills the body quickly.
- Excess sweating will cause the body to lose more heat, so remove extra layers of clothing whenever you feel too warm.
- Avoid getting gasoline or alcohol on your skin while deicing and fueling your car or using a snow blower. Getting these on your skin will cause your body to lose more heat.
- Do not ignore shivering, as it’s an important first sign that your body is losing heat. Constant shivering is a sign that it is time to go inside.
- If you decide to go out on the ice, be mindful of the following ice safety tips:
- Never go onto the ice alone. A friend may be able to rescue you from shore or go for help if you fall through the ice.
- Go out onto the ice prepared. Make sure to have a cell phone with you in case of emergency, as well as rope or ice picks to help you or someone you’re with should someone fall in.
- Measure ice in multiple places before testing it with your weight. Ice that is two inches thick or less should be avoided completely. Four inches or more is considered safe for ice fishing or any other activity on foot.
- If someone falls through the ice, call 911. If you are unable to reach that person from shore, throw them something (rope, jumper cables, tree branch, etc.).
For additional information from the CDC regarding cold weather safety, click here.
Space heaters
The Town of Cohasset, Cohasset Police, Cohasset Fire and the Cohasset Emergency Management Agency would also like to provide the following safety tips regarding space heaters from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services:
- When buying a heater, look for one that has been tested and labeled by a nationally recognized testing company, such as Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL).
- Keep the heater 3 feet away from drapes, furniture or other flammable materials.
- Place the heater on a level surface away from areas where someone might bump into it and knock it over.
- Avoid using extension cords. If you must use an extension cord, make sure it is a heavy-duty cord marked with a power rating at least as high as that on the label of the heater itself.
- Never leave a space heater unattended or running while you sleep. Supervise children and pets when a space heater is in use.
- Keep electric heaters away from water. Never use them near a sink or in the bathroom.
Take care of your pet
Pet owners are also reminded to take precautions during cold weather. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), cold tolerance varies from pet to pet, and owners should be aware of their pet’s tolerance and adjust their activities accordingly.
No pet should be left outside for long periods of time during below-freezing weather. Owners should check their dog’s paws frequently for signs of cold-weather injury, such as cracked paw pads or bleeding. Following a walk, owners should also wipe down their pet’s feet, legs and belly to remove chemicals such as deicers or antifreeze.
It is also recommended that you check underneath your car, bang on the hood and honk the horn as a warm vehicle engine can be an appealing heat source for outdoor or feral cats. For more tips regarding cold weather and animals, visit the AVMA.
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Cohasset Police Share Tips and Information Following Uptick in Common Scams
COHASSET — Amid a recent increase in various types of reported scams, William Quigley and the Cohasset Police Department would like to share with residents tips on how to prevent falling victim.
The department has seen an increase in scams over the past several weeks. In one instance, the scammer spoofed a local police department’s phone number to demand money. Scams that use impersonated telephone numbers and email addresses are known as spoofing scams, and employ the faked contact information in an effort to make it appear that scammers are from legitimate sources.
Residents should note that government agencies, including law enforcement, never contact the public demanding payment by wire transfer or by prepaid cards.
The Cohasset Police Department would like to share the following tips from the Federal Trade Commission to help prevent scams:
- Do not take calls from unknown numbers.
- Caller ID is not always accurate. A call from a “local” number might not be coming from a local person or organization.
- Do not share personal, identifying information like your Social Security Number, account numbers, or your mother’s maiden name.
- If a caller claims to represent an organization and you are doubtful, hang up and contact that agency to verify whether the call was truly from a representative.
- Never pay a caller with a gift card.
- Telemarketers are required by law to state that they are making a sales call. They are mandated to say the name of the seller and the product before pitching their sale. If this does not happen, hang up.
- Be wary of callers who talk quickly and pressure you to make a decision quickly.
- Do not buy a product or service because of a “free gift.”
- Get all information in writing before making a purchase.
- Verify the legitimacy of a charity before donating.
- Before making an investment that a caller or emailer is offering, check with your state securities regulator to make sure the offer is properly registered.
- Do not send cash by messenger, overnight mail, or money transfer. If you pay for a product or service with cash or a money transfer, you run the risk of losing the right to dispute fraudulent charges.
- Do not accept an offer that requires a registration or shipping fee to get a prize or gift.
- Beware of offers to “help” recover money that you already have lost. Scammers sometimes pose as law enforcement officers who will help get money back for a fee.
- Report rude or abusive callers, even if you already sent them money, by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP or by visiting ftc.gov/complaint.
Additionally, residents should NEVER give personal information, social security numbers or credit card numbers to people through social media, or to people who call their homes or cell phones unsolicited.
While it can be difficult to recover funds lost as a result of scams, residents and community members should always report scams to the police. Residents who believe they may have fallen victim are encouraged to contact the Cohasset Police Department at 781-383-1212.
For more information about scams, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website or the state’s website.
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Cohasset Police Share Norfolk District Attorney’s Statement Regarding Ana Walshe
The Cohasset Police Department shares the following statement from the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office regarding Ana Walshe:
Statement from the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office
Please see the following statement from the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office
