Drill reveals problems in terror response
Terrorism preparedness exercises conducted in Boston in late spring showed that local law enforcement agencies are lacking in several areas, city officials said last night. According to a report issued late last week, local and State Police did not work together effectively because of confusion over who was in charge, and ambulances were delayed from reaching the mock scene at Logan International Airport. Mismatched computer programs also hindered the ''Operation Atlas" response efforts. Metro Boston Homeland Security Region, an interagency task force, simulated a plane hijacking during several table-top exercises and one real-time drill. ''Operation Atlas did a fantastic job of showing where the various security agencies are doing a great job, and where more work needs to be done," said Seth Gitell, spokesman for Mayor Thomas M. Menino. Some of the problems, including the mismatched computer systems, have been fixed, Gitell said.
Two men injured in unrelated attacks
Two men were injured in unrelated attacks over the weekend in Jamaica Plain. A 23-year-old Roxbury man was shot Saturday at 1:13 p.m. near Franklin Park, police said yesterday, and was treated at Boston Medical Center for injuries that were not life-threatening. Police later caught two suspects in a car matching witnesses' descriptions. Demetrius Ennis, 23, of Roxbury, and Emmanuel Delacruz, 17, of Dorchester, will be arraigned today in Roxbury District Court and charged with assault with intent to murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, and assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon. In another attack, a 28-year-old Quincy man was stabbed in the abdomen late Saturday night on Walden Street, near the Hennigan Elementary School. He was in critical condition yesterday at Brigham and Woman's Hospital.
Car crash interrupts sewer plant power
A car crash early yesterday on Chelsea Street temporarily knocked out power to a Massachusetts Water Resource Authority sewer plant. The driver's car overturned, leaving him hanging upside down, police said. He was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries. The impact of the crash knocked loose a spring-loaded fuse, interrupting power to a nearby sewer plant.
ALSTEAD, N. H.
Donations bring cheer to flood victims
Donors from all over New England helped bring Christmas cheer to the flood-devastated town of Alstead. Flooding in October washed away homes and roads and killed seven people in New Hampshire, and the town's families posted Christmas wish lists on giving trees placed at 19 businesses in the Monadnock region. Requested items ranged from socks to snowblowers. Organizers of the Alstead Giving Tree Project say hundreds of people picked up the gift requests and made donations. Project Coordinator Carole-Anne Centre said about half of the gift requests were fulfilled. Volunteers began delivering gifts Wednesday. (AP)
HAVERHILL
Ambulance driver, rider injured in crash
A man, who police say was driving drunk, ran a stop sign and struck an ambulance yesterday, injuring the ambulance driver and passenger, according to police. Arsenio Borges, 40, of Arlington, struck the ambulance, which was responding to a call in Lawrence, and caused it to overturn, land on its side, and strike a parked van, police said. The driver and ambulance passenger were taken to hospitals with minor injuries, and Borges was not injured in the 12:24 p.m. accident, police said. Police said Borges will be arraigned tomorrow in Haverhill District Court on charges of failing to stop at a stop sign, reckless driving, operating without a license, and operating under the influence of alcohol. Police also said Borges had an outstanding warrant from Somerville District Court on a larceny charge.
WORCESTER
Oft-absent students may face court date
Public school students who are chronically absent face the possibility of appearing before a judge under an increasingly strict district policy intended to improve attendance. Worcester schools are taking speedier action to deal with truant students, beginning with phone calls to parents, followed by letters and, if nothing improves, a court affidavit. In extreme cases involving family problems, a Juvenile Court judge could eventually remove a student from the home. School Safety Liaison Robert F. Pezzella said he expects the school year's tally of court applications will surpass last year's 307. The districtwide attendance rate has risen slightly this term. (AP)
