PHOTO BY BOB ROCHE
Lt. Peter Holey, center, has a laugh with Lynn Police officers Mike Pennell, left, and Matt Coppinger.
BY MICHELE DURGIN
LYNN — Police officers and firefighters have often been commended for their hard work and their commitment to the safety and well-being of those they serve in the community, both on and off the clock.
This is especially evident during the holidays. Robert Dwyer, Nahant’s Chief of Police, says his team always rises to the occasion.
“We are a small, close-knit community,” he said, “and when the phone rings, we respond, without hesitation, throughout the year.
“Officers who are assigned to work over the holidays are asked to sacrifice precious time away from their families,” Dwyer said. “They go above and beyond the call of duty so that our residents can peacefully enjoy this special time with their loved ones.”
Lynn Police Chief Kevin Coppinger is also proud of some of the things his officers do to help those in need.
“Nobody here does what they do, in terms of helping others, for notoriety,” Coppinger said. “Officers step in because they see a need, and won’t turn their backs on someone who could use a bit of help.
“Or,” he said, “they see an opportunity to lend a hand to a group of citizens and don’t even think twice about getting involved. And by helping out in the community, we are improving public relations and giving people, especially the kids, a chance to see us as people who can be there for them in a positive setting and we’re not just around in times of trouble.”
The Lynn Police Christmas party is one way the department extends itself in the community.
“We have been hosting this for more than 20 years, and it feels good to know that because of it, hundreds of local youngsters will get to celebrate Christmas and meet Santa too,” Coppinger said.
The party, which is held annually at St. Michael’s Hall, is for Lynn children between the ages of 4 and 12. Parents can drop their children off and pick them up with the party ends.
“So many of the officers and their families help out each year to make sure this event is a success,” Coppinger said. “Lt. Tom Reddy has been a big part of this great day since the beginning. The party is always so well run by a generous group of volunteers, and the look on the kids’ faces when they arrive makes it all worthwhile.”
For the past seven years, Lynn police have also been involved with the annual food drive in November at the Washington Street Baptist Church. Coppinger said collection baskets are set up in the roll call area of the police station and they are quickly filled with donations of canned goods, which are brought to the church to be distributed to families in need. The officers then purchase and distribute 30 turkeys.
During the winter, members of the department also purchase knitted hats and gloves and share them with homeless veterans and others.
Firefighters are also known for their charitable work as well. Jacob Sherry is a second-grader who attends the Hadley Elementary School in Swampscott and is battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer known as Burkitt’s lymphoma. The school’s nurse, Alison Oxton, has helped Sherry on occasion at school. She is also the wife of Swampscott firefighter Josh Oxton, who, this year, volunteered to drive the fire truck in Nahant’s annual Christmas parade.
Alison Oxton suggested that perhaps Sherry might enjoy riding along with her husband. So, Sherry and his older sister, Autumn, rode along and had a wonderful time, Alison Oxton said.
They were thrilled to spend time with both Santa and Mrs. Claus and will remember the night for a long time to come, she said.
Also accompanying them along the parade route were Firefighter Dan Waters and his 4-year-old grandson, Christopher Rowe; and Josh and Alison’s son, Abel, who is almost 2.
“Christopher really enjoyed the event,” Waters said. “He’s at a great age for this. He especially loved throwing the candy to the kids who were standing along the route and waving to us. It was a terrific time for all of the kids on the truck.”
