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Lieutenant Sullivan details recent deaths and a hate‑incident as police increase community outreach
Summary
At the March 19 Human Rights and Inclusion meeting, Lieutenant Sullivan reported three recent public-safety incidents — a resident death by suicide after a police response to a crisis, the death of a former Danvers resident who served as a Rhode Island officer, and an anti‑Semitic/homophobic vandalism incident. The department said the adult involved in the vandalism will be summoned to court.
Lieutenant Sullivan told the Town of Danvers Human Rights and Inclusion Committee on March 19 that the police department had responded over the past weeks to several traumatic incidents that are affecting residents and officers.
Sullivan said officers responded to a resident in crisis who “shot a firearm at his family member’s car,” an incident that prompted a large police response and ultimately “resulted in a large police response and then the death of that resident by suicide.” Sullivan said the department mourns the loss and is coordinating with affected families.
Separately, Sullivan described the death of a former Danvers resident who had recently become a police officer in Rhode Island; that department “came up to meet and mourn with her family,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan also described a vandalism incident at a local parking lot in which anti‑Semitic, homophobic and racist words and symbols were written on a vehicle. Video reviewed by investigators showed a father and a 10‑year‑old child making the markings, Sullivan said. “This is certainly learned behavior,” Sullivan said, and the department will summons the adult to court for a criminal offense.
Sullivan told the committee that the department has increased visible, community‑oriented patrols — attending public events, walking downtown and engaging with residents — and encouraged anyone who sees officers to speak with them.
The committee did not take formal action on the incidents; Lieutenant Sullivan said criminal and court processes will proceed as appropriate.
