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North Adams Police Warn of Phone Scammers
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Police Department is warning area residents of a phone scam that's making the rounds.
The scam involves being contacted by phone by someone from a foreign country. The caller claims that a family member is being held in a foreign jail and needs help being bailed out. The caller then requests that cash be sent to an address in that country. The caller also tries to intimidate the person by telling them not to report what is going on because it could jeopardize the safety of the family member.
Detectives who have spoken to the victims say the scammer have used the called the family member by name adding to the validity of the call. The public should be aware that any information that they put out on social media sites is subject to being viewed by these scammers.
While the current scam is being perpetrated by foriegn sources, iBerkshires is also aware of attempts at a similar scam in which victims are informed that a family member has been arrested within the country, such as New York City. The scammer identifies himself as an attorney or friend seeking bail money.
If you are contacted by someone using this scam or any other, seek advice before sending any money or providing any account information. The following steps should be used:
1. Write down any information they give you.
2. Do not send money or give account information over the phone, by mail or over the Internet.
3. Contact other family members to see if, in fact the named family member is really out of town.
4. Contact your local police department and make them aware of the scam.
Use common sense and be aware that these type of scams are out there.
Retired North Adams Worker Gives Signs of Esteem
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Retired Wire & Alarm worker Robert J. Upton presents a sign dedicated to firefighters past and present to city firefighters and Fire Director Stephen Meranti, left. Also attending was Mayor Richard Alcombright, standing next to Upton. |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Robert J. Upton was struck by inspiration driving home one day from his retirement job at Stamford Valley (Vt.) Golf Course — how to show his regard for his former city colleagues.
"People complain about our public safety all the time," said the former Wire & Alarm Division worker. "I thought it was time to do something good for them."
Upton is probably best known as the man who for years strung the Christmas lights along Main Street and on the city's two large trees — and the one who took them down afterward. He retired more than a year ago.
A couple weeks ago, he presented the Fire Department with a sign "Dedicated to all past & Departed Fire Fighters"; on Wednesday, he presented a similar sign to the Police Department.
Upton wanted a gesture that would be public and lasting and that would express his feelings about the nearly 30 years he'd worked along side the public safety departments.
"They could dispay them at the Police Department and the fire station and people would see it," he said of his decision to create signage similar to a plaque.
"Bob has always been thought of as member of our firefighting family," said Fire Director Stephen Meranti, who also oversees Wire & Alarm. "He has always been there when we needed him. We will display this plaque with honor in the station."
Upton said the design was created with the computer graphics help of Jessica Tietgens, who also works at the golf course. "She came up with the designs for me," he said. "She's a good person."
The first sign was created and donated by Michael Sacco and Peace Train Tees at the Berkshire Mall; Beck's Printing made the one for the police station.
"They are always right there when you need them," said Upton of the city's public safety personnel. "I just figured that somebody should show they're appreciated.
"Eventually, down the road, I'd like to give one to the ambulance service as well."
North Adams Closes Eagle St. Over Gun Report
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Police partially blocked off the intersection of Eagle Street and Main Street for nearly an hour Wednesday night after a woman reported that a man wearing a black mask and carrying a gun had jumped on the hood of her car.
According to the police log, the call was placed at 6:43 p.m. and four cruisers responded.
The caller said the weapon did not look real but a man "wearing a black mask and sweat shirt with glasses jumped on the hood of her car."
The caller also said there was a man and a women with the alleged attacker standing in front of Jack's Hot Dog Stand on Eagle Street.
When the officers arrived, one cruiser parked partially across Eagle Street. Three other cruisers were in the immediate vicinity.
In an apartment above Jack's, officers were seen bringing two young men and a young woman downstairs in handcuffs. Shortly after questioning the three, they were uncuffed and police continued their investigation inside the apartment.
No arrests were made and police left the scene at about 7:45 p.m.
Driver Injured When Truck Hits North Adams Building
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The driver was able to exit the damaged late-model red Toyota Tacoma with the aid of firefighters and North Adams Ambulance personnel. There were no passengers. The name of the driver was not immediately available.
The accident was called in at about 9:30 p.m. as a "car into a building." The truck was coming down steep Liberty Street toward Houghton when it apparently failed to negotiate a righthand turn and hit the corner of the building across the street and slightly to the north.
Eyewitnesses who were in their living room at the time told police they heard the crash and looked out to see the truck going backwards. They attempted to encourage the driver to get out of the vehicle but said he seemed disoriented and asked for a push and tried to start the truck. They moved back when they saw what they believed to be gasoline leaking.
The commercial building exhibited little damage to its siding and concrete foundation. Pieces of the front end of the truck, however, were scattered around the scene. The vehicle went backwards, where it came to rest partly on the north sidewalk of Liberty and a foot or so away from a utility pole and another building on the passenger's side.
The street was closed to traffic below North Street and the accident was being investigated.
The front end of the Tacoma was severely damaged by the crash and the truck was towed away by Dean's Quality Auto.
North Adams Accident Detours Route 2 Traffic
 A two-car accident that was still under investigation caused a traffic back up on Route 2. It was unknown at posting time whether anyone was injured. |
A white Dodge conversion van and a green Chevrolet Tracker collided near the west end of Hillside Cemetery in the westbound lane at about 3:40 p.m. The Tracker's front passenger side fender and the hood were damaged; the van was hit on the driver's side door and appeared to have a broken the axle on the side.
The names and the number of occupants in the two vehicles were not immediately available. Two ambulances from North Adams Ambulance Service transported the occupants to the scene.
Police were still investigating the accident and could provide no further information at the scence.
Two firetrucks were at the scene. Mohawk Auto Wrecking and Dean's Quality Auto towed the vehicles.
Westbound traffic on Route 2 (West Main Street) was detoured over Brown Street to River Street, causing a back up of traffic along the highway; eastbound traffic was detoured over Roberts Drive to Massachusetts Avenue.
