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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 85 NO. 290
“People, when they first come to America, whether as travelers or settlers, become aware of a new and agreeable feeling: that the whole country is their oyster.” — Alistair Cooke 75 cents
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2016
MICHAEL MCCABE
A care package for homeless residents of Westfield.
Donations sought for area’s homeless By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD–A city resident is trying to make the holidays of the homeless a little better this season by giving care packages to residents at the Samaritan Inn, and they need your help. Lesley Lambert of Park Square Realty is gathering donations for the care packages, which are being assembled at Park Square Realty, 44 Elm St., Westfield, at 2 p.m., on Dec. 3. The packages still need several toiletries and can be donated between now and Dec. 3 at the storefront on Elm Street. Lambert said that she originally started the project after seeing homeless in need of items with a friend. She said that she is normally community-minded and wanted to find a way to help but wanted to do more than just give money. That’s when she became inspired by her daughter. “My daughter and her friends had a bake sale and donated the money to the homeless– they were 10 and 11 years old,” Lambert said. “And that’s when I realized if they can do it so can I.” This is the second year the project has happened. Last year, Lambert and others combined to donate more than 50 bags to the Samaritan Inn, which is their goal once again.
Lambert said that some of the items being sought include soap, shampoo, tissues, hand sanitizer, mouth wash, deodorant, tissues, hand warmers, gloves and other winter wear. Lambert also said that those who wish to help assemble care packages can arrive at Park Square Realty on Dec. 3 to assist. Lambert urged those who are donating to give items rather than gift cards or money, but those would be accepted to purchase items if need be. Also, food items will not be accepted at the event on Dec. 3, but rather can be donated directly to the Samaritan Inn at any point throughout the year. Peter Gillis, executive director of the Samaritan Inn, said that he is grateful for the work Lambert and others have done but more can always be done. “We can always use more coffee. Not instant, but regular ground coffee,” Gillis said. “Coffee’s what we go through all the time and that’s an item we cannot get at the food bank.” Gillis said that the Samaritan Inn also has freezer space and room for canned goods, so those who want to donate food do not have to worry that it may spoil or go to waste. For more information or to see if you can help, contact Lambert via phone call or text message at (413)575-3611, or stop by Park Square Realty Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with donations.
LESLEY LAMBERT
Break-ins concerning for residents By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD – Break-ins, particularly those of businesses, have seen an increase in the city since September. According to police logs, break-ins of businesses have increased over the past three months, and break-ins into homes have more than doubled in the past month. Westfield Police capt. Michael McCabe said that although the home and business break-ins are possibly not related, the majority of the business break-ins may be. “The pattern may be that it’s involved small businesses that don’t deal with large amounts of cash,” McCabe said. “When you see a string of breaking and enterings like this it is likely one perpetrator.” McCabe said that the reason why the two may not be related is because burglars tend to stay with the kind of break-in that they have had success with, which separates Overall, breaking and entering into businesses, including one church, have happened 11 times since Sept. 1 of this year. By comparison, there were just two break-ins of that kind in August of this year. For home break-ins, the total jumped from three in October to eight in November. The break-ins have cost homeowners mostly home electronics, like video game systems and televisions. However, some yard equipment, including a snow blower, were also reported stolen. McCabe could not comment on who is suspected of the crimes or what the motives are, since there are ongoing investigations into the burglaries.
Recreational marijuana use set to be in effect
People at least 21 years of age will be able to posses up to one ounce of marijuana.
By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – As the legalization of recreational marijuana was voted in favor by the state of Massachusetts during the Nov. 8 election, people throughout the commonwealth will begin to see the effects of the new law rather shortly. Starting on Dec. 15, anyone who is 21 years or older will be able to possess up to an ounce of marijuana or give up to an ounce to someone as a gift. Individuals will also be able to have up to 10 ounces in their primary residence. It is also allowed to have six plants in a home per person and 12 plants total per home. However, based on the ballot measure passed, no marijuana buying or selling transactions among individuals will be legal. “The only people that can ever sell, will be the retailers,” said Southwick Police Detective Sergeant Robert Landis. Retail stores for recreational marijuana are not
set to be in business until at least January of 2018. For Landis and the rest of the Southwick Police Department, they have to deal with several things that come with the legalization of marijuana. Operating under the influence of narcotics is something that could potentially be a law down the road, and certainly a thought that officers and detectives need to look at. “There’s no standardized testing,” said Landis. “These are things that are going to come down the way.” Landis then went on to say that the charges of buying or selling marijuana at a place other than a retail store, would not change. It would still be considered a criminal offense. “It all comes down to the quantities you’re dealing with,” said Landis. Southwick Police and Det. Landis will continue to follow what happens with the recreational marijuana laws for the state of Massachusetts.
(Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
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