Pepper guns an option on Halloween
By Andrew Hickey and Sean Corcoran
Staff writers
Salem police are equipped with a similar type of "less lethal" weapon blamed in the death of a 21-year-old woman celebrating the Red Sox victory in Boston's Kenmore Square.
And come Halloween, those weapons — air-powered rifles that resemble paintball guns and fire round, dime-sized pellets loaded with a form of pepper spray — will be ready in case the celebrations swirl out of control.
"They will be out there on Halloween," said Lt. Conrad Prosniewski yesterday. "If we have to use them, we're still going to use them as we're trained to until we're told otherwise."
Boston police Commissioner Kathleen O'Toole said Victoria Snelgrove of East Bridgewater died early Thursday morning after riot police fired a pepper spray-charged ball in an attempt to control revelers celebrating the Sox advancing to the World Series with a victory over the New York Yankees.
Boston police have not said exactly how Snelgrove died, but investigators determined she was injured when one of the projectiles hit her in the eye and knocked her to the ground. O'Toole launched an investigation to determine if the weapon was used properly.
Salem police Capt. John Jodoin said he was unsure if Boston police use the same rifles and pellets Salem began using last year. But he noted that Snelgrove's death has called into question the use of less lethal weapons.
"We're waiting to hear whether or not we have to adjust our system," he said.
Salem police policy states that such weapons are not to be fired at a suspect's eyes, face, throat or spine. The preferred target is the center of the torso, Jodoin said.
Trained officers are ordered to use the weapons only in extreme situations where lethal force would be excessive, such as violent and destructive riots, assaults on officers or other individuals, and when they encounter combative suspects.
If the weapons are fired, Jodoin said, the officer must file a "use of force report."
Citing security concerns, Jodoin wouldn't say how many weapons the department has or how many of Salem's 79 officers are trained to use them.
"They're not intended to be a substitute for other weapons. You have to justify the situation," he said. "When used properly, it produces minimal injuries. But anything used inappropriately could possibly kill you."
Jodoin said the pellets burst on contact and send powder or liquid similar to tear gas into the air, causing extreme discomfort for five to 10 minutes. They are accurate if fired from 30 feet or less and are designed to leave only a welt on the person's body.
Officers are required to "detoxify" a suspect struck with a pellet by washing the substance off them after they're apprehended.
Neither Prosniewski nor Jodoin could remember a time when Salem officers fired off a pellet.
"We've had them out in situations," Prosniewski said, but they haven't been discharged.
Salem police are the only area department carrying this type of weapon.
"Peabody does not have any," Peabody police Chief Robert Champagne said. "We use pepper spray, and the officers carry it on their person. It is sort of like what people would consider the old mace in a little hand container."
Champagne said his department has looked into several types of less lethal weapons, but so far has not bought them, mostly because of the expense.
Champagne said Peabody has little need for the guns. He said he does not recall any riots in the city since he joined the force.
Prosniewski said Snelgrove's death should serve as a wake-up call for revelers.
"People have to realize that there is responsible celebration and completely irresponsible celebration that can throw things into a riotous state," he said.
In the wake of Snelgrove's death, Prosniewski said Salem officers could be apprehensive if the use of less lethal force becomes necessary.
"I think everyone's waiting to find out exactly what happened in Boston," he said. "Officers now know what they're working with and what these weapons are capable of. It's opened our eyes."
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
By Andrew Hickey and Sean Corcoran
Staff writers
Salem police are equipped with a similar type of "less lethal" weapon blamed in the death of a 21-year-old woman celebrating the Red Sox victory in Boston's Kenmore Square.
And come Halloween, those weapons — air-powered rifles that resemble paintball guns and fire round, dime-sized pellets loaded with a form of pepper spray — will be ready in case the celebrations swirl out of control.
"They will be out there on Halloween," said Lt. Conrad Prosniewski yesterday. "If we have to use them, we're still going to use them as we're trained to until we're told otherwise."
Boston police Commissioner Kathleen O'Toole said Victoria Snelgrove of East Bridgewater died early Thursday morning after riot police fired a pepper spray-charged ball in an attempt to control revelers celebrating the Sox advancing to the World Series with a victory over the New York Yankees.
Boston police have not said exactly how Snelgrove died, but investigators determined she was injured when one of the projectiles hit her in the eye and knocked her to the ground. O'Toole launched an investigation to determine if the weapon was used properly.
Salem police Capt. John Jodoin said he was unsure if Boston police use the same rifles and pellets Salem began using last year. But he noted that Snelgrove's death has called into question the use of less lethal weapons.
"We're waiting to hear whether or not we have to adjust our system," he said.
Salem police policy states that such weapons are not to be fired at a suspect's eyes, face, throat or spine. The preferred target is the center of the torso, Jodoin said.
Trained officers are ordered to use the weapons only in extreme situations where lethal force would be excessive, such as violent and destructive riots, assaults on officers or other individuals, and when they encounter combative suspects.
If the weapons are fired, Jodoin said, the officer must file a "use of force report."
Citing security concerns, Jodoin wouldn't say how many weapons the department has or how many of Salem's 79 officers are trained to use them.
"They're not intended to be a substitute for other weapons. You have to justify the situation," he said. "When used properly, it produces minimal injuries. But anything used inappropriately could possibly kill you."
Jodoin said the pellets burst on contact and send powder or liquid similar to tear gas into the air, causing extreme discomfort for five to 10 minutes. They are accurate if fired from 30 feet or less and are designed to leave only a welt on the person's body.
Officers are required to "detoxify" a suspect struck with a pellet by washing the substance off them after they're apprehended.
Neither Prosniewski nor Jodoin could remember a time when Salem officers fired off a pellet.
"We've had them out in situations," Prosniewski said, but they haven't been discharged.
Salem police are the only area department carrying this type of weapon.
"Peabody does not have any," Peabody police Chief Robert Champagne said. "We use pepper spray, and the officers carry it on their person. It is sort of like what people would consider the old mace in a little hand container."
Champagne said his department has looked into several types of less lethal weapons, but so far has not bought them, mostly because of the expense.
Champagne said Peabody has little need for the guns. He said he does not recall any riots in the city since he joined the force.
Prosniewski said Snelgrove's death should serve as a wake-up call for revelers.
"People have to realize that there is responsible celebration and completely irresponsible celebration that can throw things into a riotous state," he said.
In the wake of Snelgrove's death, Prosniewski said Salem officers could be apprehensive if the use of less lethal force becomes necessary.
"I think everyone's waiting to find out exactly what happened in Boston," he said. "Officers now know what they're working with and what these weapons are capable of. It's opened our eyes."
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
