PORTSMOUTH — As we wait for spring and try to stave off bouts of snow rage, the town is reminding residents to take extra precautions to keep safe during the cold spell.

Fire Chief Michael Cranson wants residents to make sure their carbon monoxide detectors are working properly and to keep all vents cleared of snow. There have been four carbon monoxide incidents and one natural gas leak since the snow started falling again Saturday night, according to the department’s Facebook page.

“Anytime anyone has an appliance that uses fuel, there’s always that potential that it releases carbon monoxide,” Chief Cranson said Tuesday. “If you’re using a generator or some type of other heating source like a fireplace, wood stove or pellet stove, make sure they’re properly vented. If there’s a vent outside the home, make sure it’s not blocked by the snow. A lot of people have those direct vent fireplaces and even direct vent from their furnace. It’s very important that there’s not snow piled up around that direct vent.”

The Fire Department is continuing its plea for residents to help keep fire hydrants cleared as well.

“The (Portsmouth Water and Fire District) does a fantastic job in keeping all the hydrants clear, but the biggest issue we have is that the Newport hydrants are not maintained by Portsmouth Water, so we’ve been going out ourselves and making sure they’re shoveled out,” he said.

Chief Cranson also urged residents to stay safe by pacing themselves when shoveling.

“I think we’re reaching the point where people are getting exhausted in trying to keep up with it,” he said. “It’s a challenge. People need to take frequent breaks and illicit the help of younger folks. I’m looking for someone myself.”

The department is keeping a close watch on elderly residents who may find it difficult to get out of their homes. “We’re trying to assist the elderly if they’re literally stuck in their house or they have some type of emergency and they don’t feel they can get out of their house,” he said.

Sprinkler breaks rampant

The bitter cold has taken a heavy toll on something else: sprinkler systems. “We’ve had a ton of sprinkler breaks,” Chief Cranson said.

Two of them happened on Monday at the same place, The Tower at Carnegie Abbey. In the first incident in the afternoon, said the chief, “We were able to use some tarps and direct the water that was being discharged from the broken pipe outside to a drain so we could limit the damage.”

Firefighters returned to the scene at 11 p.m. for another sprinkler break. The system has since been repaired “for the most part,” he said.

A firefighter was injured during one of the calls to the Carnegie tower after falling while handling a burst water pipe. The firefighter was taken to St. Anne’s Hospital in Fall River by a Tiverton Fire Department ambulance and was treated and released.

Also late Monday night, there was another sprinkler break in the attic of a Portsmouth Abbey dormitory. “Same thing — the cold weather froze the pipe and then it broke,” said Chief Cranson. “We were able to shut the water off pretty quickly, but by that time we had water from the attic down to the first floor. There was a lot of damage.”

They weren’t done, as there was yet another sprinkler break Tuesday morning at the Visiting Nurse Services building at 1183 East Main Road.

“It’s tough this time of year. It’s just so cold,” said the chief, adding that in some cases, the pipes aren’t as insulated as well as they should be, while in other cases a system has built up moisture because it’s gone a period of time without maintenance.

DPW: On the road again

Even when the snow stops falling and the roads appear relatively clear, the town’s Department of Public Works employees rarely get a break because they’re constantly making room for the next snowfall.

“Whenever you have the ability to move snow, you move it,” said DPW Director David Kehew as he spoke by cellphone while plowing Tuesday afternoon. “If we don’t do that, where would we put (the new snow)?”

Sixteen-hour shifts are the norm, with workers going home to get perhaps four hours of sleep before returning to the job.

“You’ve got to keep up with the storm. Our gig is the roads, safety, visibility, widening the roads, making sure people get their mail, and the catch basins,” said Mr. Kehew. “If the rain can’t go down there, then you’re in a world of trouble.”

One of the challenges of snow removal, said DPW Director David Kehew, is trying to afford drivers as much visibility as possible at intersections. This photo was taken at the top of Botelho Drive Tuesday, with a snowbank impeding the view for drivers turning left onto Bristol Ferry Road. By Wednesday afternoon, however, DPW had leveled the pile to eliminate the obstructed view.

“People can’t see anything because the snowbanks are too high and those cars don’t slow down. We’re in trucks and I’m always trying to remind the guys, picture yourself in a Honda Accord,” he said.

The department has hired Aquidneck Construction to use a front-end loader and a backhoe to help widen some streets. “Common Fence Point, again, got way too narrow,” said Mr. Kehew, adding that the drifts during the most recent storm (“Neptune”) were worse than during “Juno.” “We had drifts nine feet tall blocking Bramans Lane and Wapping Road.”

Parking ban lifted

On Tuesday night, the Police Department lifted the parking ban that had gone into effect Saturday afternoon.

Police Chief Thomas F. Lee said three unattended vehicles that were obstructing plows in violation of the parking ban were towed.

He also reported eight motor vehicle accidents and 14 disabled vehicles during the most recent storm.

Here are some highlights from the Portsmouth police log from over the past week.

Tuesday, Feb. 17

A car driven by Richard M. Murphy of Bristol struck a deer shortly before midnight on West Main Road near Patriots Park. Mr. Murphy, who notified police of the accident by phone, said he didn’t remain at the scene because he had to work early in the morning and was not injured. The next day he came into headquarters, where police observed damage to his vehicle’s hood, front bumper, passenger side headlight and fender. Police said there was also still animal fur located in one of the car’s headlights.

Wednesday, Feb. 18

Ryan C. Harris, 24, of 3 Riverview Ave., Tiverton, was charged with domestic cyberstalking at about 2:50 p.m. According to police, a woman complained on Feb. 10 that Mr. Harris had threatened her in text by writing, “If you block me, I’ll kill you.” He had also threatened by phone to stab her, according to the account she gave police.

Thursday, Feb. 19

Kimoy C. Isaac, 28, of 163 Viking Drive, Apt. B, was charged with being a fugitive from justice shortly after midnight. An office with prior knowledge of a full extradition warrant for criminal trespassing out of Georgia arrested Mr. Isaac at his home.

Saturday, Feb. 21

Megan J. Quiros, 36, of 121 Greystone Terrace, was charged with driving while intoxicated (first offense) and refusal to submit to a chemical test after she allegedly got into an accident shortly after midnight. Police reported to the area of Town Hall on East Main Road at about 12:30 a.m. for a report of an erratic driver who had struck a snowbank, utility pole and two mailboxes before leaving the scene. Police said they found a car part with a Mercedes-Benz logo written on it, as well as dark gray vehicle debris, scattered throughout the area. At 1:41 a.m., another woman called police to report that she found damage to her Mercedes-Benz, parked inside her garage, but did not know what happened. Police responded to the address, and the woman explained that she and Ms. Quiros had taken the car to Li’l Bear Lounge in Tiverton earlier, but the bartender called a taxi for them when it became apparent they had too much to drink, police said. The woman said she went inside the taxi, but Ms. Quiros drove the Mercedes-Benz. The woman said she found the damaged car when she got home. She asked Ms. Quiros what had happened, but she denied being involved in an accident, according to police. When police questioned Ms. Quiros, she admitted drinking earlier but also denied getting into an accident, according to police.

Sunday, Feb. 22

Patricia C. Maher, 48, of 122 Highland Ave., was arrested at 3:40 p.m. at her home on a warrant issued by Middletown police on a domestic charge.

Monday, Feb. 23

A vehicle driven by Benjamin Telford of Portsmouth spun out of control and left the roadway as it was entering the off-ramp to West Main Road from Route 24 southbound at about 5 p.m. Police said the car struck a Jersey barrier on the left side of the ramp before hitting a snowbank and guardrail, which caused it to roll over down an embankment, hitting several trees. No injures were reported.

A vehicle driven by Richard T. Faria of Portsmouth hit a deer which he said ran out onto West main Road near Raytheon shortly before 8 p.m. In his statement to police, Mr. Faria said he was driving north when one deer ran out in front of him. He slowed almost to a stop, he told police, when a second deer came into the road and hit the front of his car. The deer appeared deceased upon impact, he said.

Roberto A. Torres, 23, of 129 Niagara St., fourth floor, Providence, was charged at about 8:15 with obstructing an office in execution of duty. Police made the arrest after responding to a report of a male loitering inside a local restaurant. Police said a woman who worked at the establishment knew Mr. Torres and that she was going to obtain a restraining order against him the following day. Mr. Torres had left the business but another officer later found him at a Cumberland Farms. Police said Mr. Torres was in possession of an opened container of alcohol in plain view and gave police a false name.

PORTSMOUTH — Here are some highlights from the Portsmouth police log from over the past week.

Tuesday, Feb. 24

A small deer that apparently had been struck by a motor vehicle on West Main Road near Patriots Park was euthanized shortly after 6:30 p.m. by a police officer using his service firearm. The deer had a severely fractured leg and had been panting heavily, police said. The R.I. Department of Environmental Management was notified of the dead deer’s location.

Saturday, Feb. 28

Erik P. Richter, 21, of 95 Willow Lane, was charged with driving while intoxicated (second offense) after the Toyota Selica he was driving overturned in the parking lot of Island Day School shortly before 1 a.m., according to police. When officers arrived at the corner of Sprague Street and Bristol Ferry Road, they found Mr. Richter crawling out of the driver’s seat. He told police he had been driving home from a friend’s house and his car lost control on Sprague Street before hitting a snow bank and turning over. Police said Mr. Richter’s eyes were bloodshot and watery, he had slurred speech, and there was an opened Heineken beer bottle inside the car.

Sunday, March 1

Firefighters extinguished a car fire on Massasoit Avenue shortly before 7 p.m. No one was in the Jeep Grand Cherokee at the time of the fire. The owners were inside their home when they said they heard a loud “bang” outside and looked through a window to find the vehicle engulfed in flames. Firefighters said the blaze originated from the trunk of the vehicle, but they could not determine how.

Monday, March 2

Police responded to the area of East Main Road at Sherwood Drive for a report of a disabled motor vehicle around 6 p.m. The driver, Christopher Vaillancourt, said he was traveling north in the left travel lane when his car struck a large pothole, damaging its front fender and possibly the suspension.

Police responded at 6:37 p.m. to a report of three disabled motor vehicles at the intersection of East Main Road and McCorrie Lane. All three drivers said their vehicles had sustained damage after hitting a large pothole in the left, northbound lane of East Main Road. At 7:12 p.m., police went back to the same area after getting another report that a car was disabled after hitting the same pothole.

PORTSMOUTH — A 19-year-old local man was arrested today and charged with possession of child pornography.

Dylan Mello of 24 Child St. was arrested by members of the R.I. State Police Computer Crimes Unit/ Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the Portsmouth Police Department. The arrest was announced today by Col. Steven G. O’Donnell, superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, and Portsmouth Police Chief Thomas Lee.

For more Portsmouth police news, click here.

According to a statement released by State Police, The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) reported that an individual in Rhode Island had uploaded images of child pornography to Instagram.

Mr. Mello was identified as a possible suspect in this activity and further investigation linked him to a Facebook account which also had child pornography posted on it, according to State Police.

On Monday, Mr. Mello was arrested on an unrelated larceny charge by Portsmouth Police. A sworn member of the local department and a member of the ICAC Task Force developed information during the arrest which substantiated Mr. Mello’s ownership and control of the Instagram and Facebook accounts and further identified him as allegedly responsible for the  uploads of the child pornography, according to State Police. Digital media in the form of a cellular phone was also seized for further forensic examination, State Police said.

Mr. Mello was arraigned in the Second Division District Court in Newport before Judge Colleen M. Hastings and released on $2,000 surety bail with special conditions including no unsupervised contact with children under the age of 18 and no Internet access. The next court date for Mr. Mello was scheduled for March 17.

At this time, there is no indication of inappropriate conduct between Mr. Mello and minor children, police said.

A person found guilty of possession of child pornography may be subject to a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

The ICAC Task Force is comprised of members of the Rhode Island State Police Computer Crimes Unit along with detectives from numerous local police departments, including Portsmouth, as well as special agents from Homeland Security Investigations and United States Postal Inspection Services.

Here are some highlights from the Portsmouth police log from over the past week.

Monday, March 3

A vehicle parked in violation of a parking ban imposed due to the snowy conditions was towed from Narragansett Boulevard shortly after 11 p.m. Police, who said the car was blocking the roadway, were unable to find its owner.

Portsmouth man charged with possession of child pornography. For story, click here.

Tuesday, March 4

Several cars were removed from East Main Road near Chris’ Diner after being disabled due to pothole damage. An officer who responded to the area at 6:23 p.m. said the pothole was located in the right lane, about 100 yards south of Pine Tree Road. The cars sustained blown-out tires as well as damage to rims. Several other vehicle owners reported damage from potholes along East Main Road on March 6 and 7, as well. The R.I. Department of Transportation was notified of the incidents.

Wednesday, March 5

A 2007 Nissan Fronti driven by Thanh Dao of Fall River slid on a  the snow and hit a guardrail on West Main Road northbound near the Route 24 on-ramp around 1:15 p.m. The car, which rolled over completely and came to rest upright, sustained heavy damage and was towed from the scene. The operator was no injured.

Friday, March 7

Glenn M. Davis, 46, of 75 MacArthur Boulevard, Coventry, was charged with driving while intoxicated (second offense) and refusal to submit to a chemical test. Police stopped Mr. Davis’ pickup truck on Turnpike Avenue at the Route 24 overpass shortly after midnight after receiving a report that it had been following a another vehicle being driven by an off-duty police officer from Middletown. The officer said he had stopped at a bank in Middletown and pulled out behind the truck, which he later observed crossing the center line and speeding on Bristol Ferry Road, according to police. Later, the truck stopped in the middle of the road, and the officer went around it, police said. The truck then followed the car after the officer pulled into his neighborhood on Linda Avenue, police said. He continued past his residence, however, making a series of turns throughout the Botelho Drive neighborhood, the truck behind him the whole way, according to police said. After he was stopped, Mr. Davis at first denied he was following the car, but later admitting doing so because he was lost and was trying to find his way back to the main road. Police said Mr. Davis failed a field sobriety test.

Bruce J. Camara, 27, of 187 Cedar Ave., was charged with domestic assault following an incident at his home around 5 a.m.

PORTSMOUTH — Here are some highlights from the Portsmouth police log from over the past week.

Tuesday, March 10

Jose A. Mosquea, 48, of 12 Fox Run Road, was arrested at 6:18 p.m. on a bench warrant issued by Second District Court. An officer with knowledge of the warrant made the arrest after Mr. Mosquea entered the police station “to await a child swap meeting,” according to police.

Wednesday, March 11

Brett A. Marshall, 25, of 74 Sprague St., was charged with larceny of under $1,500 in connection with an incident that took place on Feb. 4. Police said on that date, they responded to Allen’s Wine and Spirits, 3001 East Main Road, for a report that a male later identified as Mr. Marshall stole a bottle of Johnny Walker Red from the store. The incident was caught on surveillance video, according to police, and a warrant was issued for Mr. Marshall’s arrest. He turned himself in at headquarters at 8:05 a.m. on March 11, police said.

Darrell J. Tallman, 27, of 629 Old Westport Road, Dartmouth, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, a felony, after police responded at noon to a domestic disturbance on Dubois Street. During a search of Mr. Tallman, police said they found a small pill box, a pill cut up into pieces and a razor blade in his front, right pocket. Mr. Tallman told police he had a prescription for the pill at home.

Friday, March 13

Joao D. DaSilva, 54, of 41 Broad St., Warren, was charged with reckless driving following a two-vehicle accident in the area of Bristol Ferry Road and Pheasant Drive at about 8 a.m. The driver of a Dodge Avenger was visibly upset and accused Mr. DaSilva, who was operating a Ford truck, of running her off the road after tailgating her from Bristol into Portsmouth. According to police, Mr. DaSilva sped by her in the middle lane of travel on Bristol Ferry Road, where passing is prohibited. As the truck attempted to turn back to the right in front of her vehicle, it hit the front, driver’s side of the Dodge, police said. The impact forced her car to swerve off the road, over a curb and into a telephone pole, police said. The driver of the Dodge, on two flat tires, then caught up to the truck and accelerated in front of it, and Mr. DaSilva came to a stop, police said. The female driver complained of pain and was transported to a hospital by Portsmouth Fire Department.

Devin A. Sullivan, 20, of 110 Old Whipple St., Cumberland, was charged with domestic vandalism with malicious injury to property following an incident at a local home. Police said Mr. Sullivan kicked a door at the residence off its hinges before leaving the area on foot. He was later found by an officer in the area of Pheasant Drive at Brant Road.

Saturday, March 14

Bradford P. Paull, 33, of 416 Log Road, Smithfield, was charged with driving while intoxicated (third or subsequent offense, a felony), at 1:50 a.m. Police received an anonymous call of an intoxicated driver leaving the Island Park area and heading to Tiverton. Police found the car traveling north on Hummock Avenue near Riverside Avenue, going 55 mph in a 25 mph zone, police said. The driver turned onto Riverside Avenue and parked in the middle of the road before stumbling out of the driver’s seat, according to police. Police said Mr. Paull’s eyes were bloodshot and glassy and he was slurring his words.

Richard M. Seale, 33, of 2721 East Main Road, was arrested at his home at 3:25 p.m. on a bench warrant that had been issued from Second District Court.

Mary C. Wall, 58, of 51 Blackbird St., Tiverton, was charged with driving while intoxicated (first offense) and refusal to submit to a chemical test at about 4:30 p.m. Police said they stopped Ms. Wall’s car on the Route 24 on-ramp from Turnpike Avenue because she was driving over the lane markers and using the breakdown lane.

Sunday, March 15

Ryan C. Harris, 24, of 3 Riverview Ave., Tiverton, was charged shortly before 8 p.m. with violating a no-contact order. According to police, Mr. Harris’ ex-girlfriend complained he had contacted her via e-mail and through an internet dating site several times, in violation of an active no-contact order.

PORTSMOUTH — Here are some highlights from the Portsmouth police log from over the past week.

Wednesday, March 18

Kasandra C. Vandenbergh, 24, of 149 Bristol Ferry Road, was charged with driving while intoxicated (first offense) and refusal to submit to a chemical test. Police responded shortly after midnight to a report of a fight in progress at the Island Tap bar on Park Avenue. While en route, they learned that the parties in question had left in two separate vehicles and were headed south on Park Avenue toward East Main Road. Ms. Vandenbergh’s vehicle was stopped on Bristol Ferry Road after it was seen crossing over the travel lane, according to police.

Police received separate reports from two residents who said their Social Security numbers had been used with the Internal Revenue Service to file a fraudulent return for fiscal year 2014.

Daniel Annunziata, 31, of 510 Child St., Warren, was arrested on a bench warrant issued by Sixth District Family Court. Mr. Annunziata was a passenger in a car that was pulled over on West Main Road at about 12:30 p.m. because its inspection sticker had expired, police said.

Friday, March 20

Joseph W. McGee, 49, of 74 Willow Lane, was arrested on a bench warrant issued by Second District Court. Police made the arrest at Mr. McGee’s home at 9:27 p.m.

Joshua Sousa, 22, of 76 Summit Road, was charged with possession of a controlled substance at 9:41 p.m. Police made the arrest after stopping Mr. Sousa’s car on Chase Road because its rear taillights weren’t working. Police said they found mushrooms and marijuana in the car. A 20-year-old passenger, Dylan J. Miranda of 111 Covel St., Apt. 3, Fall River, was charged with underage possession of alcohol, which police said was also found in the car.

Saturday, March 21

Neal A. Rancourt, 49, of 14 Point Road, was charged with domestic assault, domestic disorderly conduct, domestic vandalism with malicious injury to property and domestic refusal to relinquish a telephone. The arrest was made after police went to Mr. Rancourt’s home at 1:24 a.m. to investigate a report of a female screaming for help.

Zachary W. McGaw, 29, of 1156 Anthony Road, was charged with shoplifting at Clements’ Marketplace after video surveillance footage from March 13 revealed he had opened six canisters of Reddi-wip whipped cream and inhaled some of the contents, according to police. A female with Mr. McGaw appeared to act as a “lookout,” police said. The containers were then discarded in the store by Mr. McGaw and the duo proceeded to checkout, where they purchased multiple items, police said. Mr. McGaw used his own Clements’ card, according to police. A warrant was put out for Mr. McGaw’s arrest and police found him at his home shortly after 8 p.m. on Saturday. According to police, Mr. McGaw was “huffing” from the canisters— inhaling the containers’ nitrous oxide — which can give the user a quick high.

Eileen L. Walker, 52, of 144 Sprague St., was charged at 8:28 p.m. with driving while intoxicated (first offense) and refusal to submit to a chemical test. Police stopped her car on East Main Road near Sea Meadow Drive after receiving a report of a possible drunken driver. An empty bottle of 100-proof vodka was found in the car, according to police.

Bryan Medeiros, 37 of 225 Willow Lane, was charged with domestic assault and domestic vandalism with malicious injury to property at 9:47 p.m. in connection with an incident at his home earlier that evening.

Monday, March 23

Seth M. Kendrick, 31, of 19 Clement St., Apr. 1W, Tiverton, was charged with driving while intoxicated (first offense) and refusal to submit to a chemical test. Police stopped Mr. Kendrick’s vehicle on Route 24 northbound near Cedar Island at about 1:30 a.m. because its left taillight was not working.

PORTSMOUTH — Two local men were arrested Friday and charged with manufacturing a controlled substance: butane hash oil or butane honey oil (BHO), also commonly referred to as DABS in Portsmouth.

Portsmouth police executed two search warrants on Friday based on a month-long drug investigation, according to Detective Sgt. Michael Arnold.

Timothy Banville

Tyler Ottilige

Manufacturing hash oil from cannabis requires the use of flammable solvents that can make the process dangerous, according to the federal Drug Enforcement Agency.

PORTSMOUTH — Here are some highlights from the Portsmouth police log from over the past week.

Monday, March 23

Daniel J. Dailey, 45, of 204 Scotland Road, Apt. 2, Norwich, Conn., was charged on a bench warrant issued from Fourth District Court for failure to appear for sentencing. Mr. Dailey was a passenger in a vehicle stopped on Route 24 northbound at about 7:20 p.m. because the driver had changed lanes without signaling.

Tuesday, March 24

Angel Merced, 39, of 34 Bramans Lane, faced several charges after being arrested following a report of a domestic disturbance at his home shortly before 5 a.m. Police said Mr. Merced had punched a woman and pushed her to the ground and threw a container of cottage cheese before fleeing in the woman’s car with her handbag. A warrant was issued for Mr. Merced’s arrest and he turned himself in at 12:22 p.m., police said. He was charged with domestic larceny of under $500, domestic assault and domestic disorderly conduct.

William C. Ziegler, 30, of no permanent address, was arrested on a bench warrant issued by Second District Court after the car in which he was a passenger was stopped for speeding in a school zone on West Main Road near Melville School around 8:45 a.m.

A dye pack exploded shortly before 1:50 p.m. inside Citizens Bank at 3033 East Main Road, causing irritation to the throats and mouths of five employees, police said. (Dye packs, hidden inside stacks of banknotes, are incendiary devices used by some banks to foil robberies by permanently marking stolen cash.) The Portsmouth Fire Department evaluated the employees, all of whom refused to be transported to Newport Hospital for further treatment. Police said a female worker had been moving a dye pack — which contains hazardous materials — from one area of the building to another when it exploded. No customers were in the bank at the time. Firefighters later cleared the building to be safe for employees to return inside, but the manager closed the bank for the day to have it cleaned.

Police responded to West Shore Road at 3:19 p.m. for a report of illegal dumping of trash. Police found several black bags filled with trash about 200 feet west of 36 West Shore Road. The town’s Department of Public Works was notified.

Wednesday, March 25

David M. Souza, 48, of 752 Dwelly St., Apt. 1E, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, a felony, at 9:50 p.m. Patrol Officer Lee G. Trott had been dispatched to the Mt. Hope Bridge for a report a man walking southbound on the span. Upon his arrival he found two Bristol police officers speaking with Mr. Souza, who said he was walking to the Mt. Hope Animal Hospital to await transportation to his Fall River residence. A records check revealed a Sixth District Court warrant for Mr. Souza’s arrest and during a search, heroin residue on a metal silver spoon was found, according to police. Two syringes, a cotton swab and a small amount of marijuana was also found, police said,

Thursday, March 26

A 16-year-old local boy was charged with assaulting a woman at his home shortly after 10 a.m.

Jessica Sylvia, 28, of 2451 East Main Road, was arrested on a warrant issued by Warren police on charges of domestic assault and domestic disorderly conduct. Police arrested Mr. Sylvia at his home shortly before 8 p.m. and he was transported to the Bristol side of the Mt. Hope Bridge, where Warren police took over custody.

Derek M. Picard, 42, of 148 Heritage Drive, was charged with domestic assault in connection with an incident that took place at a Portsmouth home on Feb. 1. According to police, the victim said that following an argument, Mr. Picard threw a set of keys at her with force, striking her in the chest and right shoulder area before leaving the area. A warrant was issued for Mr. Picard’s arrest and he turned himself in on March 26 at 11 a.m., police said.

Saturday, March 28

Rhonda L. Stephens, 50, of 1284 Bedford St., Fall River, was arrested at about 12:30 a.m. on a felony Superior Court bench warrant after the vehicle she was driving was pulled over for speeding on Route 24 northbound near the Sprague Street overpass. Police said there was also a bench warrant issued from Fourth District Court for her arrest for failure to appear to answer a charge in court.

PORTSMOUTH — A 45-year-old local man was arrested today on a federal warrant for the receipt and distribution of child pornography.

Adam Cobb, of 91 Lilac Lane, Portsmouth, was arrested at his home without incident by members of the R.I. State Police Computer Crimes Unit/Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and with the assistance of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), on a federal arrest warrant for one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography.

The ICAC task force includes representation from the Portsmouth Police Department.

According to State Police, in January the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) reported that an individual in Rhode Island uploaded images of child pornography to the social networking site Tumblr.com.

The internet address from which the images were uploaded was identified as Mr. Cobb’s residence, according to State Police. A court-authorized search warrant was executed there on March 5. Mr. Cobb was not home at the time, police said.

“Digital media, including laptops and cellular phones, were seized for further forensic examination,” State Police reported in a prepared statement. “This examination resulted in the discovery of photos and videos of two females on a storage device and a computer allegedly belonging to Mr. Cobb. ICAC members were able to positively identify the ages of two juvenile females at the time that the photos and videos were taken.”

The Baltimore (Md.) Police Deparmtent and HSI offices in Baltimore and London, England assisted with the identification and furthering the investigation, State Police said. “In the course of this investigation, Mr. Cobb was identified as the person allegedly responsible for receipt and distribution of the images of child pornography,” according to State Police.

Mr. Cobb made his initial appearance today in front of Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan at the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island in Providence. He was detained without bond and issued no-contact orders with the victims, State Police said.

A person found guilty of receipt of child pornography may be subject to a sentence of five to 20 years and/or a fine of up to $250,000. The other charge carries the same potential sentence and fine.

PORTSMOUTH — Here are some highlights from the Portsmouth police report from over the past week.

Wednesday, April 1

Adam H. Cox, 28, of 5 Simmons St., Apt. D103, Newport, was arrested at 1:20 a.m. on a bench warrant issued from Second District Court. Mr. Cox was a passenger in a car that was pulled over for speeding on West Main Road near Prescott Point.

Thursday, April 2

Police reported to the Greystone Terrace area at 3:10 p.m. for a report that trash had been dumped there illegally. Police found a large amount of assorted trash on a dirt road behind Greystone. The town’s Department of Public Works was notified.

Saturday, April 4

Jane E. Walsh, 25, of 21 Prospect Farm Road, was charged with domestic assault at 2:15 a.m. Police said Ms. Walsh was arguing with her boyfriend, who was driving a vehicle they were riding in on Middle Road, when she said she wanted to take the dog and get out of the vehicle. The driver stretched his right arm across to the passenger’s seat to block her from taking the dog when Ms. Walsh bit his right forearm, according to police. The driver then pushed Ms. Walsh from the car, police said, and she walked to her nearby home without the dog. Ms. Walsh showed no signs of injury, according to police.

Madison L. Ritter, 25, of 20A Bradley Terrace, was charged with driving while intoxicated (first offense) at 8:26 p.m. Police said they stopped the SUV Mr. Ritter was driving on East Main Road near Glen Road because the vehicle had only one functioning headlight.

Sunday, April 5

David R. Charnley, 61, of 34 Linden Ave., Fairhaven, Mass., was charged with driving while intoxicated (first offense) and refusal to submit to a chemical test. His car was stopped on Turnpike Avenue near Gorton Street at about 2 a.m. because it was speeding and had its driver’s-side tires on the double yellow line, according to police.

A patrol officer used his firearm to euthanize an injured deer lying off Wapping Road shortly after 2 a.m. The deer’s legs were severely fractured and the animal appeared to be in a significant amount of distress, police said.

Christopher Pereira, 36, of 7 Collins St., Bristol, was charged with driving while intoxicated (first offense) after the car he was driving was pulled over for speeding on Bristol Ferry Road at Brownell Lane shortly after 5 a.m. Police said Mr. Pereira was also weaving over the center line and into the oncoming lane of travel.

Two Portsmouth men were arrested and each charged with felony larceny — theft of an auto valued at over $1,500. Police responded at 7:45 a.m.  to Hallman’s Septic, 161 Willow Lane, for a report of a stolen vehicle. The business owner said he had arrived at work to find one of the business vehicles, a 2014 Freightliner trailer truck, missing. The truck had been parked, attached to a septic trailer, on the side of the building at about noontime the previous day, he told police. Police said Dylan J. Mello, 19, of 24 Child St., had been employed at Hallman’s until Feb. 24 when he was terminated, although he left on good terms with the company. The business owner said Mr. Mello was “obsessed” with trucks in general. Police went to Mr. Mello’s home, where he admitted to being involved with the theft and said the truck was located in Little Compton, police said. Detectives also found a large case of toilet paper (96 rolls) — identical to those used by Hallman’s Septic — at Mr. Mello’s home in plain view, according to police. (For that, Mr. Mello was also charged with larceny of under $1,500, a misdemeanor.) While interviewing Mr. Mello police said they learned that another man was involved in the theft: Christopher J. Cawley, 18, of 148 Heritage Drive. A warrant was issued for his arrest and Mr. Cawley was picked up at the home of his girlfriend on Park Avenue early that evening. The business owner retrieved the truck from Little Compton police, who had recovered it from a beach in that town.

PORTSMOUTH — Here are some highlights from the Portsmouth police log from over the past week.

Wednesday, April 8

Marci A. McNicol, 49, of 8 Ivy Meadows Lane, Westport, was charged on a R.I. State Police arrest warrant. A patrol officer with knowledge of the warrant arrested Ms. McNicol at about about 9:20 a.m. after seeing her exit her vehicle along Park Avenue.

Thursday, April 9

Gambler G. Martinez, 27, of 29 Ashley St., New Bedford, was charged with driving after his license had been denied, suspended or revoked. A patrol officer pulled the car over on Turnpike Avenue at Freeborn Street around 4:40 p.m. because the driver was not wearing a seatbelt, according to police. Police said that before the traffic stop, however, the car had pulled into the parking lot of Chris’ Diner on East Main Road and the driver and passenger switched seats. When the officer asked about this, he was told that Mr. Martinez didn’t want to drive any longer because he was too tired. Police said a records check revealed that both drivers’ licenses had been suspended.

Friday, April 10

Laron D. Lee, 22, of 34 Hanover St., Apt. 2, Providence, was charged shortly after midnight with driving after his license had been denied, suspended or revoked and obstructing an officer in the execution of his duties. A patrol officer stopped Mr. Lee’s vehicle on West Main Road near Mailcoach Road because it had two inoperable plate lights and the car’s passenger side tires crossed over the white fog lines on three occasions, police said. According to police, Mr. Lee initially identified himself as “Darryl Briggs,” as did a passenger in the vehicle, Chantelle M. Young, 19, of 10 Hall Ave., Newport. She was also charged with obstructing an officer in the execution of his duties.

Ashley E. Lefort, 22, of 827 Anthony Road, was charged with domestic assault in connection with an incident that had been reported just before midnight the previous day. Police said Ms. Lefort had bit a local man on his right forearm during an argument.

Saturday, April 11

Firefighters and police responded to a brush fire at the Anthony Road overlook shortly before 4 p.m. Firefighters extinguished the blaze, the cause of which was undetermined. A witness said he saw two white males between the ages of 17 and 19 leave the walking path, get into a black Honda Civic and exit the overlook parking lot. Middletown police, who were in town for a followup, reported seeing a vehicle matching the description heading northbound on Route 24 at about 100 mph as it traveled over the Sakonnet River Bridge into Tiverton. Police said it was unclear if the occupants of the vehicle were involved in the fire.

Sunday, April 12

Police investigated a report of a loud party in progress on Blue Bill Way just after midnight. Two Roger Williams University students who rent the property agreed to break the party up, and police estimated that 80 to 90 people exited the residence. Police said the party-goers were of legal drinking age and there was a “large amount of designated drivers on scene.” Police warned the men leasing the property that the residence was overcrowded and this was the second complaint received about a large party at the house. Police also told them they would be notifying the university.

Michael P. Garcia, 24, of 8 Heath St., Apt. 3, Newport, was charged with driving after his license had been denied, suspended or revoked at 6:45 p.m. Police stopped Mr. Garcia’s vehicle on West Main Road near Raytheon because it was missing a front license plate, according to police. There was also an active District Court bench warrant out for Mr. Garcia’s arrest, police said.

PORTSMOUTH — Imagine filing your tax return only to be told by the Internal Revenue Service that someone had already done so in your name — using your Social Security number.

Police received four separate complaints last week from residents who learned their identities had been stolen after they tried to file their tax returns.

On April 13, a local couple said their accounting firm informed them they were unable to file a tax return due to possible identity theft. When the firm attempted to e-file the tax return, police said, it was red-flagged because one using the couple’s names had already been filed.

The same thing happened on April 14, when a woman said the joint return she had filed with her husband was rejected. Someone had already filed a return with her husband’s Social Security number, she said.

The police received two more complaints last week involving similar ruses. In each case, the residents had been advised to file a police report so the matter could be reported to the IRS.

PORTSMOUTH — Here are some highlights from the police report from over the past week.

Friday, April 17

Christen P. Weaver, 47, of 139 Preservation Way, Tiverton, was charged at midnight with driving while intoxicated (first offense) and refusal to submit to a chemical test. Her car was stopped on Turnpike Avenue because it had left the lane of travel, police said.

Saturday, April 18

Wayne B. Barnes, 54, of 1 Michigan Ave., Providence, was charged with driving while intoxicated and refusal to submit to a chemical test shortly after 1:30 a.m. Police stopped Mr. Barnes’ car on West Main Road near Russo Road because it was speeding and weaving over the white fog line.

Madelyn O. Calderson, 44, of 92 Hamlet St., Apt. 3W, Fall River, was charged with driving after her license had been denied, suspended or revoked. Her car was stopped on West Main Road near Stringham Road around 4:30 p.m. because it had crossed over the center dividing line, according to police.

Shortly before 5 p.m., police were dispatched to a report of a large college drinking party at 498 Park Ave. When a patrolman arrived, he said he found about 200 men and women in the front and rear yards of the residence. Partygoers began to leave the area upon seeing police. A 22-year-old man was charged with consuming or possessing alcohol on a street or sidewalk in violation of a town ordinance, and was issued a summons to appear in Municipal Court.

Sunday, April 19

Badr M. Elessawi, 22, of 2121 West Main Road, Apt. 608, was charged at about 12:30 a.m. with driving after his license had been denied, suspended or revoked. Mr. Elessawi’s car was stopped on West Main Road near Donna Drive because it drifted over the double lane marker, police said.

Sean P. Sullivan, 19, of 35 Forsyth Ave., Somerset, was charged with driving while intoxicated (first offense), underage possession of alcohol and refusal to submit to a chemical test. A patrol officer responded to Route 24 northbound near Freeborn Street around 2:20 a.m. to assist a Middletown police officer, who said he observed the driver commit several traffic violations before pulling the vehicle over.

Jason Aguiar, 28, of 216 Broadway, Apt. 5, Providence, was arrested at 9:45 p.m. on a bench warrant that had been issued from Sixth District Court. Mr. Aguiar was a passenger in a car stopped on West Main Road because its rear plate lights weren’t working.

Above: Police Chief Thomas Lee points to a plaque marking the year when the current police station was built: 1975. The department has long since outgrown the current building, he says.

PORTSMOUTH — The company charged with studying future infrastructure needs for the police and fire departments has recommended the construction of a new 20,0000-square-foot, two-story police station to be built on land behind the current building on East Main Road.

The Town Council will hear the results of the study by the architectural firm Drummey Rosane Anderson, Inc. (DRA) at its May 26 meeting, according to Acting Town Administrator James Lathrop.

The plan must first get approval from the council and then voters at the ballot box before any work begins, he said.

“It would go on a voter referendum for November 2016. That’s our timeframe,” said Mr. Lathrop. The town is currently “paying off an awful lot of debt,” he said, but by late 2016 the project should be more fiscally manageable for taxpayers.

Mr. Lathrop did not have any hard cost estimates for the project, noting those will be presented at the May 26 meeting. “I’m hearing all sorts of stuff. I’ve seen these (projects) cost anywhere from $4 to $10 million,” he said.

The current station is under 5,000 square feet in area, compared to the 20,000-square-foot building proposed by the company hired by the town to conduct a feasibility study.

The current building is antiquated and too small for a department that has nearly doubled in size since the station was built in 1975, according to Police Chief Thomas Lee.

“It’s good news and I hope the public is amendable to it,” he said of the DRA report. “We need a new facility and we’ve got to build for the future.”

Chief Lee said the new building, if approved, will be “state of the art” with amenities more suitable for a modern-day police department. “It’s desperately needed,” he said, pointing out that DRA recommended that 20,000 square feet is a building size appropriate for the department.

“We’re got just under 5,000 now, just to give you an idea,” said Chief Lee.

Just for police

The only question about the proposed building was whether it should also house the fire department and perhaps even the Department of Public Works. DRA, however, recommended against building a complex containing two or more departments.

Police Chief Thomas Lee stands in the outdated and cramped booking room at the current police station back in January.

Fire Chief Michael Cranson has previously said that although the fire station also needs improvements, the police department should be given higher priority.

The new police station, however, would feature a dispatch center consolidating those services for both departments. Also, the police station already houses radio equipment for each department, which would play a factor during construction of a new building.

“The (new) building would be where ore parking lot is now,” Chief Lee pointed out. “We support (the fire department) radios also, so the challenge to building on the site is that we have to keep the police and fire departments open for business.”

Under the recommended plan, the new police station would be built behind the current one. Once construction is complete, the current station would be torn down and that area used as a parking lot.

The new police station would also have a community room, where groups such as the Boy Scouts and other local organizations could meet, as well as a bay for the servicing of police vehicles.

PORTSMOUTH — A new town program will allow local residents to receive a significant discount to get their dogs and cats spayed or neutered.

Under Rhode Island law, a portion of what a municipality brings in for animal licenses must be put into a separate fund for spay/neuter services.

Until this week, however, that hasn’t been the case in Portsmouth. The oversight was corrected when Interim Town Administrator James Lathrop, the town’s director of finance and personnel, brought it up with Police Chief Thomas Lee.

“We’ve been collecting these fees and for whatever reason, no program was ever set up in town for this,” said the chief.

Animal Control Officer Ariel Fisher, who initiated the new year-round program, said $1 from every $8 dog license will be put into a spay/neuter fund. The town has about 1,600 dogs registered and the licenses must be renewed every April. (Cats do no have to be registered.)

Under the town’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year, Portsmouth will offer $100 per pet to be used toward the cost of a spaying or neutering procedure at the Rhode Island Community Spay/Neuter Clinic, LLC, 235 Elm St., Warwick. The program is modeled after similar programs that have had success in other municipalities.

“As soon as people start calling, we’re going to set up appointments,” said Officer Fisher.

The clinic charges anywhere from $200 to $250 to spay or neuter dogs, depending on their weight, according to its website. The fee for tame cats is $75 and for feral cats, $65. (Extra charges apply for packages that include additional procedures.)

And if you’re over 65, the program will be offered free of charge, Chief Lee said. “So that will be a good thing for our senior citizens in Portsmouth,” he said.

In addition, people who own pit bulls or other so-called “bully breeds” will also receive a discount, according to Officer Fisher. “It’s because they’re taking over the shelters,” she explained.

Benefits dogs, cats

Officer Fisher said getting pets spayed or neutered benefits them in numerous ways.

“It helps decrease the rate of cancer and other illnesses,” she said. “It also helps with behavioral issues, especially with male dogs.”

Chief Lee also said getting people to participate in the program will help keep coyotes at bay since they’re attracted to domestic dogs that are not spayed or neutered.

“This program is going to be helpful for our coyote control program, too, which is one of the other reasons why we’re looking to do this,” said Chief Lee.

As it stands, Portsmouth has already seen a sharp decrease in coyote activity since February 2013, when the town became only the second municipality in the state to outlaw the feeding of non-domesticated animals.

Chief Lee and Officer Fisher said police haven’t received a coyote complaint all year.

“I think it’s because a lot of the feral cats have been fixed already and we don’t have people openly feeding because we have a no-feeding ordinance now. We used to have people just leaving food out,” said Officer Fisher.

To learn more about the spay/neuter program, contact Officer Fisher at 401/643-0136 or afisher@portsmouthri.com.

To contact the Warwick clinic directly, call 401/369-7297, or visit www.ricsnc.org.

PORTSMOUTH — Here are some highlights taken from the Portsmouth police log over the past week.

Wednesday, April 22

Brett A. Marshall, 25 of 79 East Beardsworth Road, Tiverton, was charged with shoplifting at Clements’ Marketplace and larceny of under $1,500. The charges stem from an April 18 complaint filed by an employee of Clements, who said that on two separate occasions — April 16 and 17 — a man entered the store and stole two cans of Redi-Wip whipped cream canisters. The first time, a can was later found on the corner of the building with all of its propellant expelled. The second time, he inhaled the propellant while still inside the store, police were told. Both incidents were captured on both video and still photography, police said. A warrant was put out for Mr. Marshall’s arrest and on April 22 he was found at Portsmouth Publick House. Police said Mr. Marshall was currently out on bail for a different shoplifting charge. This was the second time a man had been accused of “huffing” from Redi-Wip containers at Clements’ Market. Last month a 29-year-old Portsmouth man was charged with shoplifting at the store after video footage revealed he had opened six canisters of Reddi-wip and inhaled some of the contents, according to police.

Brad A. Humes, 26, of 18 Namquid Drive, Middletown, was charged with driving after his license had been denied, suspended or revoked. Police pulled his car over for speeding on East Main Road shortly after 6:30 p.m.

Justin J. Long, 19, of 36 Silva Ave., was arrested for domestic assault at 11:20 p.m. Police said Mr. Long assaulted a 17-year-old Middletown girl the previous day. Police said the victim’s mother monitors her daughter’s Facebook messages and concluded that she was in an abusive relationship, police said.

Saturday, April 25

Tatiana I. Sanchez, 23, of 95 Atlantic Ave., Apt. 1, Providence, was charged with driving while intoxicated (first offense) and refusal to submit to a chemical test at 12:42 a.m. Police received a report of an erratic driver and subsequently pulled Ms. Sanchez’s vehicle over on Turnpike Avenue. Police said her car had drifted over the double yellow line, briefly operated on the wrong side of the roadway and struck a curb before coming to a stop with its front tires on the sidewalk. Police said there was vomit on the outside of the driver’s door as well as on Ms. Sanchez’s lap, hands and hair. Ms. Sanchez told police she was coming from a party in Bristol and that she parked her car so her friend could come get her, according to police. Police informed Ms. Sanchez that she could not park on a sidewalk.

Dwight A. Williams, 38, of 36 Chapel Terrace, Newport, was charged with driving while intoxicated (first offense) after police pulled his vehicle over on West Main Road near Melville School at about 11 p.m. Police said Mr. Williams was speeding and made a lane change without using a turn signal.

Hector A. Casanova, 57, of 222 Kearns Ave., Tiverton, was charged with driving while intoxicated (first offense) shortly before midnight. Police received a report of an erratic driver and found a vehicle matching the description speeding on Route 24 northbound near Cedar Island. The vehicle also drifted over the fog line and into the breakdown lane, according to police, who pulled over Mr. Casanova’s car.

Police received several more complaints of identity theft from residents who said false tax returns had been filed using their personal information. Complaints were filed on April 16, April 17, April 21 (two on that date) and April 25.

Sunday, April 26

Ashley E. Lefort, 22, of 827 Anthony Road, was charged with violating a no-contact order at 6:10 p.m. Ms. Lefort was a passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over on Middle Road for having a loud muffler. Police said they smelled a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle, and during a records check of the four occupants learned of an active no-contact order between Ms. Lefort and a male passenger. The male was issued a summons for possession of marijuana.

Tuesday, April 28

A police patrol officer, using a shotgun, euthanized a rabid raccoon shortly after 6 a.m. in the backyard of a home on Oliver Perry Hazard Road. Police said the raccoon, which was found lying in the grass, had an open wound on its rear leg and was unable to move.

Above: Ryan Deblois

PORTSMOUTH — A 34-year-old man was arrested Thursday afternoon after he allegedly drove a vehicle at speeds exceeding 50 mph on the Portsmouth Middle School soccer field as students were being dismissed.

Ryan Deblois, of no permanent address, was charged with reckless driving, three counts of vandalism and disorderly conduct following his arrest at about 4 p.m. The vandalism charge stems from damage to the soccer field as well as to a resident’s yard next to the school, according to police.

Police responded to the school at 2:48 p.m. Thursday for a report of a vehicle operating recklessly on school grounds as students were being dismissed, said Detective Lt. A.J. Bucci.

According to witnesses, only one person was in the vehicle, which was “traveling erratically” at speeds estimated to be over 50 mph “while on the school soccer field and portions of the paved areas which were in proximity of middle school students who were being supervised by staff as the students boarded buses for dismissal,” Lt. Bucci said in a prepared statement from police.

Due to the reckless operation of the vehicle, its driver’s-side air bag deployed. Witnesses obtained a description and registration number of the vehicle before it left the area, Lt. Bucci said.

Just before 4 p.m., police responded to the Portsmouth address of the registered owner: a 34-year-old woman police identified as a victim in the incident.

Police found the vehicle, “which had damage consistent with witness accounts and damage at the middle school,” Lt. Bucci said.

Mr. Deblois was at the scene and acknowledged he had been driving the vehicle earlier, police said.

Police also learned there was an active Second Division District Court warrant for Mr. Deblois’ arrest for failure to appear for a status review. As a result he was placed under arrest and transported to the police station, where he was processed then taken to the Adult Correction Institutions in Cranston.

Mr. Deblois’ next court appearance is on Monday, May 4, in Second Division District Court in Newport.

PORTSMOUTH — Here are some highlights from the Portsmouth police report from over the past week.

Tuesday, April 28

A Westport man who found a missing GoPro camera in Island Park waived off the reward that had been offered, saying he wished only that the owner would make a donation to a certain hospital. At about 1 p.m., a police officer patrolling the area of Park Avenue near Boyd’s Lane was flagged down by the Westport man, who said he had found a GoPro camera with a stick the previous week while walking near Scampi restaurant. He held onto the camera for a few days until he noticed a flyer on the utility poles. “The flyer mentioned a reward and he wished for only a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s hospital be donated,” police stated in its report. Police contacted the owner of the camera, who said his young son had lost it while skateboarding. He walked into the police station around 2 p.m. to retrieve his property.

A 17-year-old Portsmouth girl was pulling into the parking lot of Bank of Newport around 3:50 p.m. when her car partially jumped a stone wall. The girl told police that a cigarette ember had fallen onto the exposed skin of her leg, causing her to accidentally depress the accelerator rather than the brake. The car was towed from the scene, but neither the stone wall or the driver was injured, police said.

Thursday, April 30

Andrew A. Sadanowicz, 63, of 19700 Beach Road, Apt. 9S, Tequesta, Fla., was charged with driving while intoxicated (first offense) and refusal to submit to a chemical test. Police stopped the Corvette Mr. Sadanowicz was driving on West Main Road at 2:30 p.m. after observing it crossing over the double yellow lines on numerous occasions.

Friday, May 1

Ronald Souza, 56, of 242 Sprague St., was charged with driving while intoxicated (first offense) and refusal to submit to a chemical test following a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of West Main Road and Corys Lane around 7 p.m. police said Mr. Souza rear-ended the car in front of him, which was signaling to make a left turn onto Corys Lane from West Main Road. No one was injured, according to police.

Saturday, May 2

Luis M. Lopez, 20, of 387 Hunt St., Central Falls, was charged with being a fugitive from justice at 1:45 a.m. A patrol officer said he spotted Mr. Lopez riding a bike north on Park Avenue, wearing a dark jacket and hood with a piece of clothing around his face. The bike was not illuminated and was difficult to see as well, police said. After police informed Mr. Lopez that he should take better safety precautions while riding his bike, a records check revealed he was wanted by North Attleboro, Mass. police on a vandalism charge, police said.

Kevin P. Sheehan, 22, of 23 Blue Hill Way, was charged with driving while intoxicated (first offense) and refusal to submit to a chemical test at about 2 a.m. Police pulled Mr. Sheehan’s car over for speeding on Park Avenue near Cove Street.

Jessica S. Veth, 30, of 58 Chase Road, was charged with driving while intoxicated (first offense) and refusal to submit to a chemical test after police received a report of an erratic driver on East Main Road shortly after 2 a.m. Ms. Veth’s car was stopped on East Main Road near Bradley Terrace because it was observed straddling the white fog line and drifted into a middle turn-only lane, police said.

Sunday, May 3

Vincent J. Vivona, 50, of 320 Old Mill Lane, was charged with driving while intoxicated (first offense) and refusal to submit to a chemical test at about 3 p.m. Police responded to the area of Route 24 for a report of a black GMC traveling north in the southbound lanes. Police said the vehicle dumped the highway’s median divider rail and come to rest in the grassy median of Route 24 northbound near Turnpike Avenue.

Monday, May 4

A deer that had run into the roadway on Route 24 northbound was struck and killed by a vehicle driven by Rayanne Ramsay of Bristol shortly after 8 p.m.The R.I. Department of Environmental Management was contacted to dispose of the carcass. The driver was not injured and her car was able to leave the area on its own power.

To the editor:

It was a distinct honor for me to have recently attended the 10-week Portsmouth Citizens’ Police Academy. It was one of the most fascinating and enlightening experiences that I have ever had.

In learning about and experiencing virtually every aspect of local law enforcement, I gained a great respect for the complex nature of law enforcement and the multitude of tasks our police officers do and the significant support they provide to the community. What our local police officers do may seem, on the surface, “routine” to the everyday citizen. I learned that it is anything but.

It is unfortunate that it is not possible for the Portsmouth police force to conduct the Citizens’ Police Academy more often. The volunteer officers who conducted the course were exceptional.

With the many stories in the news about the conduct of police officers throughout the nation, if there is any question about the high dedication and professionalism of the Portsmouth police force — just ask me.

Richard Talipsky

79 Cromwell Drive

Portsmouth