As the holiday season approaches and gifts begin to be shipped and delivered, Chief John Dunn and the Hull Police Department would like to provide tips to help community members prevent package theft.

According to the National Neighborhood Watch, nearly 19% of Americans have had at least one package stolen in the past 12 months.

Residents may consider the following tips to help protect their packages from theft:

• Consider getting a P.O. box at your local post office or having packages delivered to your workplace. Some delivery services also offer pickup locations.
• Set up app alerts, email notifications or text messages to track your packages. The United States Postal Service offers an “Informed Delivery” service, which sends a daily email with a picture/scan of the mail you will receive that day. To sign up, click here.
• Leave specific dropoff instructions for where a package should be left on your property.
• Ask a neighbor to grab your packages for safekeeping until you return home.
• Require a signature upon delivery to ensure packages are never left unattended.
• Reschedule delivery or ask for a package hold when on vacation.
• Install a security camera or video doorbell in the area(s) outside your home where packages may be delivered. Making your cameras visible or known may help deter thieves.
• Research potential home security technology and locking device options to protect and monitor packages.

If you believe you have fallen victim to package theft:

• Confirm with the delivery company that the package was actually delivered.
• Identify which package was stolen and know what contents are missing.
• Contact the police immediately and report your package as stolen. If you have a security camera on your home, be prepared to give a copy of the video to the police.
• Report the package theft to the applicable carrier and/or retailer:
  • United States Postal Service
  • UPS
  • FedEx
  • Amazon

If you witness a package theft, do not approach the suspect. Instead, pay attention to what their vehicle looks like and its license plate number. If possible, get a physical description of the suspect to share with police.

Residents should also note that some delivery services contract independent carriers to help deliver items during the peak holiday season. These independent carriers may drive their own vehicles without affiliation markers. Residents should be mindful of these individuals who could be mistaken as thieves when dropping off packages on behalf of carriers or delivery companies.

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HULL — Chief John Dunn is pleased to share that Lt. Stephen Glavin recently completed the Roger Williams University Command Training Series: Mid-Management Course.

The one-week course, which took place Oct. 23-27 and is offered to police supervisory personnel, addressed contemporary concepts of management and leadership relevant to the responsibilities of a middle manager in a modern criminal justice agency. 

The coursework, presented by experienced academics and law enforcement practitioners, discussed topics including operational leadership and management principles, problem-solving, organizational and interpersonal communications, labor relations, disciplinary issues and ethical decision-making.

The course was offered by the Justice System Training and Research Institute at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island, in partnership with the New England Association of Chiefs of Police. Graduates of the course represented police departments from throughout New England.

“On behalf of the entire department, I would like to congratulate Lt. Glavin for completing this course and taking this step to enhance his skills as a supervisor,” said Chief Dunn. “Completion of this course is an example of his dedication to the Hull Police Department and the Hull community.”

Lt. Glavin has worked for the Hull Police Department since 2013. In 2021, he was appointed to sergeant before his most recent promotion to lieutenant in June 2023. 

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HULL — Chief John Dunn and the Hull Police Department would like to share tips and guidance to help kids and families stay safe as they celebrate Halloween this year. 

The official trick-or-treating hours for Hull are 4-8 p.m.

While the Hull Police Department encourages families to make the most of Halloween with their children, families are reminded to be mindful of safety when choosing costumes and planning for celebrations. All props should be soft, and no part of the costume should impair vision or movement.

Costume Safety

Enjoy a safe and happy Halloween by following the below guidelines:

• Reduce fire hazards by choosing costumes made of polyester or nylon fabric and not sheer cotton or rayon fabric. Don’t walk too close to lit candles or devices with open flames.
• Use reflective tape as a trim for costumes and outerwear to help be seen in lower light. Wearing a brightly colored costume and carrying a flashlight or glow stick can also help brighten the walkways for trick-or-treaters.
• Swords and other costume accessories should be short, soft and flexible.
• Wear a costume that fits and avoid overly long or baggy costumes to prevent trips and falls. Wear makeup and hats rather than costume masks, which can obscure vision.
• Carefully follow all product directions and test any makeup you plan to use in advance. Put a small amount on the arm of the person who will be wearing it. If a rash, redness, swelling, or other signs of irritation develop where the makeup was applied, that’s a sign of a possible allergy. Always remove all makeup before going to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation.
• Don’t decorate your face with things that aren’t intended for your skin.
• Don’t wear decorative or colored contact lenses that appear to change how your eyes look due to the risk of eye injury, unless you have seen an eye care professional for a proper fitting and have been given instructions for how to use the lenses.

Trick-or-Treating Safety

According to the National Safety Council, children are more than twice as likely to be struck by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. To help prevent such a tragedy, parents and trick-or-treaters are urged to consider these tips before heading out:

• A responsible adult should accompany young children on neighborhood rounds.
• If older children or teenagers are going out alone, plan and review a route that you feel is safe and acceptable for them to follow. Agree on a specific time older children and teenagers should return home.
• Teach your children never to enter a stranger’s home or car.
• Instruct children to travel only in familiar, well-lit areas and stick with their friends.
• Tell your children not to eat any treats until they return home, and take care to avoid any food allergies.
• Only walk on sidewalks wherever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic.
• Children and adults are reminded to put electronic devices down, keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street. Always look both ways before crossing the street.

Driving Safety

The following tips, courtesy the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, can help keep the roads safe on Halloween:

• Be alert for trick-or-treaters on Halloween. Slow down and continue to scan the road in areas where they are likely to be or where sight distances are limited.
• On Halloween there will likely be more pedestrians on the roads and in places where they are not expected. Slower speeds save lives.
• Stay alert for pedestrians who may come out from between parked cars or behind shrubbery. Stop and wait for them to pass.
• Don’t drive distracted. Keep your eyes on the road, your mind on driving and your hands on the wheel.
• Don’t drive impaired. Designate a sober driver or use a taxi or rideshare service. If you see a potentially impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement.
• Remember that social host liability laws may hold you responsible for parties where underage people drink, regardless of who furnishes the alcohol, and you could be held legally responsible for your guests’ behavior after they leave.

The Hull Police Department wishes the community a safe and happy Halloween!

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