Chief Olsson praises team effort during Hingham Shipyard incident

January 25, 2020 by Carol Britton Meyer (courtesy photos)

Police Chief Glenn Olsson has nothing but praise for the town departments and members of the community and surrounding area who responded to this morning's incident at 111 Fitzroy Drive -- part of the Avalon Community apartments in the Hingham Shipyard.

"Over the years we have trained a lot on how to respond to situations like this and that was evident today," Olsson said. "I'm proud of the whole operation and the successful outcome -- everyone knew what they were doing and did a great job. The citizens of Hingham should be proud of them, too. When it all works out as it did in this situation it's amazing."

Among the responders were Hingham Police officers who received a call from Olsson early this morning asking as many as possible to report for work, the School Department,  the Hingham Fire Department, mutual aid and equipment from surrounding towns, and the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council (Metro-Lec) SWAT team, which includes Hingham Police Officers Jeffrey Kilroy, Michael Gervasi, and James Brady, who is in training. All three assisted this morning.

"The SWAT team's tactics are slow and deliberate in order to ensure that the proper resources are in place," Olsson said. "This helps prevent someone from getting hurt."

The DPW provided barricades and cones to block off the area. A group of retired fire department officers set up a canteen truck and supplied food and drinks, according to Olsson.

Residents of the surrounding area were evacuated to the Avalon community room, to a space in the nearby intermodal transporation center  (commuter boat), and Foster School. "It was challenging evacuating people from within close quarters on the third floor," Olsson said, with assistance from the Avalon management.

Olsson commended the School Department's quick response when administrators heard about the situation, providing buses to help transport those who were being evacuated and opening up Foster School to accommodate some of the evacuees. "Principal Beth Wilcox and Vice Principal Jennifer Newell were at the school, along with some of the teachers and an adjustment counselor," he said.

Olsson was pleased that ongoing meetings with the School Department and town departments about school security and a potential evacuation during an emergency paid off. "They were prepared."

Supt. of Schools Paul Austin and Director of Business and Support Services John Ferris "were in the midst of it all. It was great." He also said the school bus drivers were extremely helpful and "knew just what to do." MBTA buses also helped transport residents who were being evacuated.

The Hingham Police ordered 15 pizzas for the evacuees, which local businesses provided free of charge. The leftovers were returned to the HPD for their enjoyment later on.

The state police contacted Logan Airport to clear the area above the scene after a news helicopter was spotted overhead "during a sensitive time in the negotiations showing the location of the SWAT team and where they were setting up."

According to Olsson the suspect eventually surrendered. "He did the right thing. Members of his family were at the scene," he said.

More details to come regarding the details of today's events as we await the official press release from the Hingham Police Department.