The Plymouth Police Department shared an update on its regular patrol duties during the 4-12 shift, reflecting the unvarnished, yet critical, everyday tasks of law enforcement. In a Facebook post dated December 28, the department shed light on the variety of calls and situations officers responded to, despite the holiday season that many spend in the comfort of family and festivity.
"We have been busy lately with some pretty serious calls involving violence, threats of violence, serious mental health issues, motor vehicle accidents, unattended deaths, and suicides," the department's statement highlighted, acknowledging both the gravity of their work and the unfortunate reality that not every action they take can solve the problems at hand. The account of incidents ranged from a disabled motor vehicle on Westerly Road to a man ingesting too many THC gummies, and the arrest of an 18-year-old for shoplifting video games worth nearly $300.00.
The post provided a chronological summary of the shift's activities. Incidents included following up on a domestic disturbance, investigating a fraud complaint, and assisting with disabled vehicles. Peace was restored after a neighbor dispute in Manomet, and officers managed to locate and return two runaways from a group home. Meanwhile, a 28-year-old male was arrested for a first offense of operating under the influence (OUI) after being stopped by Officer Linscott for erratic driving.
However, not all calls culminated in arrests or citations; in some instances, such as a wellness check on a male who was doing drugs, the situation ended safely with the individual having checked himself into a medical facility. In cases like a residential alarm in Chiltonville where officers found unsecured doors, the residents requested the doors be left open, calming fears of a possible burglary in process. The officers' night also included less dire tasks such as directed traffic enforcement, carrying out summonses, and performing 'walk and talk' community policing—reflecting the humble, yet essential, nature of their job.
The department's dispatch painted a picture of the routine and the rhythmic ebb and flow of a law enforcement officer's night, "It wasn't the busiest...wasn't the slowest...All the 4-12 Officers were able to get home safely," the report concluded. Indeed, providing a stark reminder of the commitment police officers make to ensure safety and order, even as the festive season envelops the rest of the community in cheer, they remarked, "Not everything we do is newsworthy or glamorous, but we are out there 24/7 responding to calls and trying to help this community in any way that we can."
