In a troubling incident at the Tewksbury State Hospital, a local man's escape prompted concerns over security measures at the facility. Tewksbury Police Department apprehended and charged a 27-year-old Hingham man, Benjamin Hirtle, with assault and battery on a public employee, escape, and other related charges following his brief escape from the state-run hospital.
While on revoked bail for a charge involving enticing a minor, Hirtle reportedly attacked two hospital employees around 9:30 a.m. on Thursday before fleeing. He was quickly arrested near Livingston Street, so there was no need for an emergency alert, according to NBC Boston. John Wynn Middle School, located nearby, was informed and took precautionary measures by keeping students and staff indoors.
The Chief of Tewksbury Police, Ryan Columbus, expressed his concern over the security at the state hospital, finding the escape from a locked unit by Hirtle into the community unacceptable. "This individual escaped a locked unit and made it into our community and that is unacceptable," Columbus said in a statement. He urged the state to rectify this security issue swiftly. Hirtle's scheduled arraignment is set for Friday at the Lowell District Court, according to John Guilfoil Public Relations.
Concerns raised by Chief Columbus highlight wider anxiety regarding public safety and the capacity of state institutions to securely detain individuals charged with serious crimes. "I am pleading once again with the State to fix this problem immediately. I am grateful for my officers who responded quickly and apprehended this individual, but this needs to be corrected for the safety of our residents," he told John Guilfoil Public Relations.
