A Pair of Public Safety Updates

Submitted by John Guilfoil for the Bedford Police Department

Bedford Wins AAA Public Safety Citation

Police Chief Robert Bongiorno is pleased to announce that the Bedford Police Department was recently honored by AAA for its long-time commitment to the safety of pedestrians in town.

Bedford has not had a fatal pedestrian accident in more than 6 years, and for the police department’s efforts to keep people safe on the roads, it was honored with the AAA Pedestrian Safety Commendation, at the 2014 AAA Awards Luncheon in Worcester last month.

“At our very core, the Bedford Police Department is a public safety agency. The safety and security of our residents comes first,” Chief Bongiorno said, “I am very proud of officers’ commitment to keep motorists and pedestrians safe on the roads in Bedford, and I want to thank AAA for recognizing the efforts of the Bedford Police Department.”

No Threat in Suspicious Device Found at Bedford VA

The Bedford Police Department and Veterans Affairs Police are investigating a suspicious device that was placed at the Bedford Veterans Affairs Medical Center, located at 200 Springs Road in Bedford this afternoon.

Around 4 p.m. Monday, a device was located on the property, and the VA Police were immediately notified. A Police Bomb Squad responded and determined that the device did not pose a threat, and the scene was cleared. No threats were made to the hospital.

Two floors of administrative offices were briefly evacuated during the investigation. Patient services were not disrupted.

Bedford Police are working in conjunction with United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police. The Bedford Fire Department also responded.

“We are investigating a suspicious device that was placed by an unknown individual,” said Bedford Veterans Affairs Police Chief Shawn Kelley. “We are grateful to the Bedford Police Department for our strong partnership in keeping the scene orderly and calm as our agencies investigate.”

“We are proud to work closely with the Veterans Affairs Police,” said Bedford Police Chief Robert Bongiorno. “We are investigating this situation, and we are grateful that there was no danger to the hospital.”