Danvers Police report hires, crime and traffic data; chief proposes bylaw to ban Bitcoin kiosks

Police Chief James Lovell told the Select Board on Oct. 7 that the Danvers Police Department is pursuing recruits and has recent promotions while continuing ongoing enforcement and community‑safety efforts.

Lovell said the department currently has two vacancies — one created by a planned retirement — and that the town hopes to add an officer in the FY26 budget. Candidate interviews and background checks are in process, and the town aims to have recruits attend the regional academy early next year.

Promotions and reorganizations announced by the chief include Detective Chris Gaffney’s promotion to sergeant, effective Oct. 12, and reassignments in the detective division. Lovell said the department expects to have all supervisory roles filled for the first time in several years.

Crime and calls: From June 14 to Sept. 26 the department reported 87 arrests, 44 summonses, 16 hearing applications, 11 warrant applications and seven protective‑custody placements. Year to date through Sept. 26, the department recorded 20,236 calls for service. Top locations for calls included the Recovery Center of America (268 calls), Target (249 calls, including 135 shoplifting incidents), Walmart (138 calls) and Costco (119 calls).

Traffic and youth enforcement: Between June 14 and Sept. 26 the department carried out 761 traffic stops and 273 selective enforcements; year‑to‑date traffic stops totaled 2,556. Top traffic violations were speeding (521), crosswalk violations (136) and use of electronic devices while driving (104). The department also reported 53 youth complaints during the same period and recent seizures of five bicycles connected to risky behavior.

Programs and grants: Lovell said the department received $41,348.70 in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funds for enforcement and education programs including distracted driving, speeding enforcement and pedestrian/bicycle safety. The grant will also help buy a pole‑mounted radar speed sign and handheld radar units and fund community outreach events for children.

Bitcoin kiosks: Lovell said the department has seen scams tied to virtual‑currency kiosks and that recent court rulings limit the ability to recover lost funds in some cases. He said the police department is working with the town manager and legal counsel to draft a bylaw to prohibit virtual‑currency kiosks in Danvers; he identified two active kiosks near Route 1 and North Street.

SafeLaunch GRAMA: The department is preparing an encrypted online form called the SafeLaunch GRAMA program to store information on at‑risk individuals (for example, people with autism spectrum disorder, dementia or acquired brain injury) including photos and response notes to help officers during searches or contacts. The chief said the form should be available within a week or two and the department will publicize it.

School safety and community outreach: The department continues school safety drills, bus evacuations and meetings with school leaders and has partnered with the high school and DCAT on a recorded safety presentation. Upcoming community events include a food drive Oct. 11, a pumpkin‑painting event Oct. 23, a Market Basket food drive Nov. 15 and a toy drive Dec. 6.

Board members asked about enforcement options for two‑on‑a‑bike riding and alarm bylaws for repeat false alarms at facilities with high call volumes; the chief said the town has nuisance‑alarm bylaws and is pursuing options to reduce repeat responses, and that officers are using seizure and parental notifications for risky bike behavior.

(Article uses Chief Lovell’s figures as reported to the Select Board.)