Press Releases Archives - Hull Police Department

Hull Police Advise Residents to Use Caution When Using Ride-Sharing Services During National Crime Prevention Month

October 29, 2020 by Taylor O'Neil

Chief John Dunn and the Hull Police Department would like to advise residents to always use caution when using ride-sharing apps as a means of transportation.

“We urge our residents to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings at all times when using ride-sharing apps,” Chief Dunn said. “If you feel unsafe or endangered at anytime during your ride, we advise you to cancel the ride as soon as possible and find a safe place to wait until you can be picked up and safely transported to wherever you need to go.”

October is National Crime Prevention Month. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lists ride-sharing services as a viable means of travel or to get home, especially if under the influence of alcohol, but urges all users to review the following measures to ensure the trip is as safe as possible:

Confirm your ride by checking the license plate: Before getting into a ride-sharing vehicle, make sure the car and license plate match what you booked through the app. Many of these cars can look alike.

Confirm your driver: You should also look at the driver and ask them their name to confirm it matches the name and photo in the app.

Find a safe spot to be picked up: Pickup locations for ride-sharing services aren’t usually centralized. You should pick a location where you can wait inside until the driver arrives. If that’s not possible, choose an area to wait that’s away from the roadway, well lit, and where your driver can safely stop. Request that your driver drop you off in a safe spot as well.

Always sit in the back: Sitting in the back seat will allow you to more easily exit the vehicle from either side in the event of an emergency or if you feel the need to suddenly leave the vehicle for whatever reason. It also puts more space between you and the driver.

Share your trip details: Most ride-sharing apps will allow you to share your trip details with others, including the information of your driver/vehicle and the specifics of the route. You can also set the app to alert others of your arrival at your destination.

Never give out personal information: In addition to using privacy settings in the app itself, it is recommended that you never give out personal information to your driver.

Use your best judgement: You always have the ability to end a ride at any time. Use your judgement if you feel in danger or unsafe for any reason. Always call 911 if you feel you are in an emergency situation.

In addition to the safety measures listed above, the Hull Police Department reminds all residents to still follow proper health and safety guidelines when using ride-sharing services to limit the spread of COVID-19. This includes wearing a proper face covering, remaining socially distant as much as possible, asking to ride with the windows down, limiting contact with high-touch surfaces such as door handles, and washing your hands as soon as you can after completing your ride.

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Hull Police Investigating Crash Involving School Bus

October 26, 2020 by Taylor O'Neil

Chief John Dunn and Hull Public Schools Superintendent Judith Kuehn report that the Hull Police Department is currently investigating a crash involving a school bus.

At approximately 3:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Nantasket Avenue and W Street for a report of a crash involving a Hull school bus. Upon arrival, officers learned that a bus and motor vehicle had collided.

No injuries were reported. There were 14 students on the bus at the time of the crash and the students were picked up either at the site or at the Jacobs Elementary School by their families.

The crash is currently under investigation by the Hull Police Department.

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Hull Police Urge Residents to Secure Their Homes During National Crime Prevention Month

October 21, 2020 by Taylor O'Neil

As part of National Crime Prevention Month, Chief John Dunn and the Hull Police Department wish to share with residents ways they can keep their home safe from criminals, both in the real world and digitally.

October is National Crime Prevention Month. One of the best ways to take an active part in crime prevention is to become more alert and aware of what is going on around you, including in your home.

“One tip we would like to remind our residents of is to avoid posting when you plan on going away for vacation on your social media,” Chief Dunn said. “Posting that you are away indicates to others that your home is unoccupied, thus making it more susceptible to a home invasion. If you do travel, we recommend asking a family member or friend to keep watch of your home.”

Hull Police encourage residents to take the following steps, courtesy the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, as a way to combat common home security threats:

Install solid, easy-to-use locks on your doors and windows, including sliders and garage.
Use deadbolt locks on all the doors.
Don’t hide extra keys under the doormats or in planters, etc. Leave an extra set with a neighbor or friend.
Install a peephole and make sure you use it.
Never open the door to strangers. If a stranger asks to use your phone, offer to make the call for them.
Ask service technicians or care providers you don’t know for ID before you open the door.
Trim trees and shrubs to eliminate hiding places.
Keep your home well lit at night, inside and out.
Draw the curtains and blinds at night.

Cybersecurity Threats

Hull Police also encourage residents to review the following home WiFi network security tips, courtesy the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, to ensure their home is not the victim of a cyber attack:

Update your home network’s software regularly. Regular software updates are one of the most effective steps you can take to improve the overall cybersecurity of your home networks and systems.
Remove unnecessary services and software. Disable all unnecessary services to reduce the attack surface of your network and devices, including your router.
Change default log-in passwords and usernames. Most network devices are pre-configured with default administrator passwords to simplify setup. These default credentials are not secure — they may be readily available on the internet, or may even be physically labeled on the device itself.
Use strong and unique passwords. Choose strong passwords to help secure your devices. Additionally, do not use the same password with multiple accounts.
Run up-to-date antivirus software. A reputable antivirus software application is an important protective measure against known malicious threats. It can automatically detect, quarantine and remove various types of malware, such as viruses, worms and ransomware.

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Hull Police Department to Participate in National Drug Take Back Day

October 20, 2020 by Taylor O'Neil

Chief John Dunn is pleased to announce that the Hull Police Department, in conjunction with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will once again be participating in National Drug Take Back Day this weekend.

WHEN:

Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE:

Hull Police Department, 1 School St.

WHAT:

National Drug Take Back Day is a biannual, free, no-questions-asked event that gives the community the opportunity to aid in the fight against substance use disorder by disposing of potentially dangerous expired, unwanted or unused prescription drugs. As part of the event, residents can drop off unwanted pills or patches, but not liquids, needles or sharps.

“Any resident interested in disposing of their unwanted or unused prescription drugs are invited to attend our drug take back event on Saturday,” Chief Dunn said. “Those who turn in their old prescription drugs aid in the fight against substance use disorder by helping to ensure that they don’t fall into the hands of someone else. We encourage our residents to attend this weekend.”

This year residents will also be able to dispose of vape pens or other e-cigarette devices, only after the batteries are removed from the devices. Vape pens or e-cigarettes with batteries will not be accepted.

If the battery cannot be removed, residents can check with large electronic chain stores who may accept their vape pen or e-cigarette devices for proper disposal. Residents may also contact their local Hazardous Materials Management Facility to determine if they accept these devices, or for additional guidance regarding proper disposal.

According to the Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration’s report on the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 3.6% of the population in the United States misused pain relievers in 2018 and of those, more than half obtained those medications from a friend or relative.

Hull Police also has a permanent take back box in the police station lobby for those who wish to dispose of prescriptions, but are unable to attend Take Back Day. Residents should note that no liquids, needles, sharps or inhalers can be dropped in the kiosk.

The community is also reminded that masks will be required at both the Hull Police Department’s National Drug Take Back Day event and any time residents visit the drug disposal kiosk during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs, about this month’s Take Back Day or for results from past Take Back Day events, visit www.DEATakeBack.com.

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Hull Police Department Shares Trick-or-Treat and Halloween Safety Tips

October 15, 2020 by Taylor O'Neil

Chief John Dunn and the Hull Police Department would like to share safety tips for trick-or-treating and alternative Halloween activities to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Trick-or-treating will take place in Hull on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 4 to 8 p.m.

Residents and communities should follow safe and healthy tips to participate in Halloween activities that may limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19. As a reminder, any Halloween activities are subject to the current state gathering size limits.

“While Halloween may look and feel different this year due to the ongoing pandemic, we encourage those participating in trick-or-treating to continue to follow these safety precautions,” Chief Dunn said. “Residents should be mindful of choosing their children’s costumes. No costume should impair vision or movement, and masks should always be worn with costumes this year to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

Consistent with the Halloween activity guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some things to keep in mind in celebrating Halloween this year include:

Enjoy Halloween outside rather than attending indoor events.
Place candy on a platter instead of a bowl
Instead of traditional trick or treating, opt for one-way trick-or-treating, with treats placed outside of the home for trick-or-treaters as a “grab and go” while keeping distance from others.
Consider leaving hand sanitizer by any treats left out for trick-or-treaters to use.
Wear a face mask or face covering. For more information on face masks and face coverings, please see the state’s Mask Up MA webpage.
- A costume mask is not a substitute for a face mask or face covering. To protect yourself and others, ensure you are wearing a protective face mask or covering instead of or in addition to a costume mask.
Observe good hand hygiene, including hand washing and use of alcohol-based sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol. Carry hand sanitizer and use it often, especially after coming into contact with frequently touched surfaces and before eating candy.
Refrain from touching your face.
Decorate your yard for others to enjoy from their car or while on a socially-distanced walk.
Hold virtual costume contests or pumpkin carving events.
Celebrate with members of your household with a Halloween-themed meal, Halloween movie night, or by preparing a Halloween scavenger hunt.
Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet of physical distance from all other participants who are not members of the same household.

Families should avoid the following:

Attending crowded costume parties held indoors, or any gatherings that exceed indoor or outdoor gathering limits;
Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming; and
Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household.

Families participating in trick-or-treating should be mindful of the following additional safety tips:

Fasten reflective tape on costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
Hold a flashlight while walking to ensure that you are visible. Walk and don’t run from house to house. Look both ways before crossing the street.
All props should be soft, and no part of the costume should impair vision
or movement.
Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before you eat them. Eat only factory-wrapped candy. Avoid eating homemade treats offered by strangers.

Stay home and refrain from Halloween activities, including handing out Halloween treats, if you feel unwell, you have tested positive for COVID-19, you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or you have traveled to or from a state that is not classified as lower risk within the last 14 days. For more information on lower risk states, please see the state’s COVID-19 Travel Order webpage.

The Hull Police Department would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween!

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Hull Police Investigating Crash Involving School Bus

Hull Police Urge Residents to Secure Their Homes During National Crime Prevention Month

Hull Police Department to Participate in National Drug Take Back Day

WHEN:

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Hull Police Department Shares Trick-or-Treat and Halloween Safety Tips

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