Raynham Police Department

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Raynham Police Traffic Stop Leads to Gun and OUI Drugs Arrests

RAYNHAM — Chief James Donovan reports that a Raynham Police traffic stop Thursday, Nov. 14 led to the arrest of the driver for OUI Drugs and his passenger for illegal possession of a firearm.

AARON HENDERSON, AGE 21, OF TAUNTON was charged with:

  • Carrying a Firearm Without a License
  • Illegal Possession of Ammunition

LUIS MORALES, AGE 20, OF BOSTON was charged with:

  • OUI Drugs (Marijuana)
  • Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
  • Following Too Closely

At approximately 12:15 p.m., a Raynham Police officer was on routine patrol on Route 138 in the area of King Philip Street when he observed a vehicle travelling too closely behind the vehicle in front of it for an extended period of time.

The officer initiated a traffic stop of a 2019 Kia Optima rental car being driven by MORALES. While they were pulling over, the officer observed both men moving around and shifting inside the vehicle.

When the officer approached the vehicle and spoke to MORALES and HENDERSON, marijuana smoke billowed out of the open window.

Through the subsequent investigation, MORALES was placed under arrest for driving while under the influence of marijuana. MORALES is known to police and a folding knife was found in his pocket while searching him.

While searching for additional weapons, HENDERSON was found to have a black handgun in his waistband.

HENDERSON was placed under arrest and a Sar Arms pistol loaded with 10 9mm rounds was seized.

Both men are expected to be arraigned today in Taunton District Court.

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

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Raynham Police and Fire Departments Offer Halloween Safety Tips

RAYNHAM– Police Chief James Donovan and Fire Chief Bryan LaCivita would like to offer residents some important safety tips as Halloween approaches to ensure everyone celebrates safely and responsibly.

“Neighborhoods are especially busy on Halloween with many kids out and about,” Chief Donovan said. “We ask drivers to slow down and be especially attentive. Look carefully before going through an intersection in case children are crossing the street.”

The Raynham Police and Fire Departments recommend that residents follow safety tips outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services:

Dressing Up

  • Wear well-fitting masks, costumes and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips and falls. Consider adding reflective tape to kids’ costumes and bags to help drivers see them.
  • If temperatures are cold during trick-or-treating time, be sure to have your kids wear long sleeves and warm clothing under their costume.
  • If a child is wearing a mask instead of make-up, make sure the eye holes are large enough to see through clearly. Consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as a safer alternative to masks. Always test make-up in a small area of skin first and always remove make-up before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.
  • When shopping for costume pieces, look for and purchase ones that are labeled as flame retardant.
  • Swords, knives and other costume accessories should be short, soft and flexible. A child may be easily hurt by accessories if he or she stumbles or trips.

Trick-or-Treating

  • Children under 12 should always be accompanied by an adult. Avoid trick-or-treating alone.
  • If your older children are going out without parental supervision, go over ground rules first and set a curfew. Have them travel in a group, with a cell phone and flashlight. Make sure children know how to call 911 if they have an emergency.
  • Pedestrian injuries are very common on Halloween. Remind kids to stay in a group. They should walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic. Crosswalks should be used whenever possible and children should always look both ways before crossing the street.
  • Only go to homes with a porch light on. Never go into a home or car for a treat.
  • Examine all of your kids’ treats for choking hazards and tampering. Do not eat treats that have been opened, even partially. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.

Keeping Your Home Safe for Trick-or-Treaters

  • Make sure your home is well-lit inside and out and that there is a clear path to your front door.
  • Keep all decorations like cornstalks and hay away from heat sources and lit candles.
  • Use battery-operated tea lights instead of candles in jack o’lanterns.
  • Remember to put matches and lighters away in a high, locked cabinet so children cannot access them or be tempted to relight jack o’lanterns by themselves.

“To ensure kids can trick-or-treat safely, homeowners should make sure their walkways and porches are clear and well-lit,” Chief LaCivita said. “Trick-or-treaters should also avoid streets with little to no light as dark roads and street corners make it harder for drivers to see you.”

As always, any suspicious person or vehicle should immediately be reported to Raynham Police by dialing 911.

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Raynham Police Remind Residents of Upcoming Route 44, Route 24 Road Closures

Closures will be from Friday at 9 p.m. to Sunday at 10 a.m.

RAYNHAM — Chief James Donovan would like to share a message from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) regarding the upcoming scheduled closure of Route 44 and Route 24 in Raynham this weekend for a bridge replacement project:

MassDOT’s contractor, SPS New England, will implement a number of traffic management measures to shift all four lanes of Route 44 traffic onto the new bridge. The shift will allow the contractor to demolish the remainder of the existing bridge for Stage 3 of construction.

The work will require daytime and overnight roadway and ramp closures in the vicinity of the Route 44 bridge over Route 24. The work will take place from 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 18, and be complete by 10 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 20.

The closures and re-openings will occur in phases during this time. Signage and police details will be in place to facilitate the shift. The work to shift traffic will require closures and detours for the following:

  • Route 44 eastbound at the bridge
  • Route 44 eastbound to Route 24 northbound on-ramp
  • Route 24 southbound to Route 44 eastbound off-ramp (note that Route 44 westbound will still be accessible from Exit 13 off-ramp)
  • Route 44 westbound at the bridge
  • Route 44 westbound to Route 24 southbound on-ramp
  • Route 24 northbound to Route 44 westbound off-ramp

Route 44 Eastbound at the Bridge and Route 44 Eastbound to Route 24 Northbound Detour
While Route 44 eastbound at the bridge is closed:

  • Vehicles wishing to continue on Route 44 will be directed to take the on-ramp to Route 24 southbound to Exit 12 and turn right onto Route 140 southbound. Take the on-ramp to Route 24 northbound. Then, continue to Exit 13A for Route 44 eastbound. See the Route 44 Eastbound Closure Detour Map.
  • Vehicles wishing to access Route 24 northbound will be directed to take the on-ramp to Route 24 southbound to Exit 12 and turn right onto Route 140 southbound. Take the on-ramp to Route 24 northbound. See the Route 44 Eastbound Closure Detour Map.

Route 24 Southbound to Route 44 Eastbound Detour
While the ramp is closed, southbound Route 24 vehicular traffic wishing to reach Route 44 eastbound will be detoured using the following route:

Route 44 Westbound at the Bridge and Route 44 Westbound to Route 24 Southbound Detour
While Route 44 westbound at the bridge is closed:

  • Vehicles wishing to continue on Route 44 westbound will be directed to take the on-ramp to Route 24 northbound to Exit 14B to I-495 Westbound. Take the off-ramp to Route 24 southbound. Then, continue to Exit 13 for Route 44 westbound. See the Route 44 Westbound Closure Detour Map.
  • Vehicles wishing to access Route 24 southbound will be directed to take the on-ramp to Route 24 northbound to Exit 14B to I-495 North. Take Exit 7B for Route 24 South. See the Route 44 Westbound Closure Detour Map.

Route 24 Northbound to Route 44 Westbound Detour
While the ramp is closed, northbound Route 24 vehicular traffic heading toward Route 44 westbound will be detoured using the following route:

The schedule for this major infrastructure project is weather dependent and subject to change without notice.

Visit the project website, www.mass.gov/route44over24 for more information.

For project questions or comments, please email route44over24@dot.state.ma.us or contact Dan Fielding, MassDOT Highway Division Legislative Liaison, at 857-368-8959.

 

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*TRAFFIC ADVISORY* Route 138 in Raynham Reopened Following Gas Leak

RAYNHAM — Police Chief James Donovan and Fire Chief Bryan LaCivita report that Broadway (Route 138) in Raynham has been reopened following a gas leak Tuesday afternoon.

A construction crew caused a gas leak when they accidentally broke a gas service line to a business while doing work. The incident happened at approximately 12:10 p.m. Route 138 was reopened around 1:20 p.m. No injuries were reported.

Columbia Gas and members of the MassDOT Highway Division responded to the scene and crews are working to repair the broken gas line.

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*TRAFFIC ADVISORY* Route 138 in Raynham Currently Closed After Work Crew Strikes Gas Service Line

RAYNHAM — Police Chief James Donovan and Fire Chief Bryan LaCivita report that Broadway (Route 138) in Raynham is currently closed, near the area of Center Street, Tuesday afternoon, after a construction crew struck a gas service line to a business, causing a gas leak.

The incident happened at approximately 12:10 p.m. No injuries were reported.

Columbia Gas and members of the MassDOT Highway Division have responded to the scene.

Traffic will be diverted from Route 138 at Britton Street and Gilmore Street while crews work to repair the leak.

Drivers are asked to avoid the area and expect delays. It is unclear at this time when the repairs will be complete.

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Raynham Police Department

James W. Donovan, Chief of Police

53 Orchard St.
Raynham, MA 02767

Business: 508-824-2716

Always Dial 911 in case of Emergency