Police Chief Alan R. De Naro will discuss Haverhill’s recent shootings and vandalism at a City Hall meeting on Thursday. (File photograph)
Haverhill Police Chief Alan R. De Naro will address members of the city’s Administration and Finance Committee Thursday in a public meeting at the request of City Council President John A. Michitson and Councilor Michael S. McGonagle.
De Naro is expected to discuss the city’s recent shootings and, more specifically, the actions the police department is taking to combat those incidents as well asß a rise in graffiti vandalism.
The meeting comes on the heels of the department’s receipt of a series of grants from the state’s public safety and security office, with assistance from Haverhill State Reps. Linda Dean Campbell and Andy Vargas.
Officers credit the additional funds with helping arrest two men just last week—one for carrying an illegal Tec 9, 9mm Luger gun, fitted with a magazine capable of firing 30 rounds. Detectives were working on a shift paid for by the grant when they recognized two men wanted for questioning regarding an earlier incident. Peabody’s Luis Vazquez was taken into custody on the illegal firearms charges, while Daniel Reyes of Haverhill was arrested on charges of possession of class B drugs and using a false name to obstruct justice, among other charges.
Haverhill’s police department also intends to use state-issued funds to hire a so-called “street worker” to build relationships with gang-involved youth and gang members about to be released from prison.
Thursday’s meeting with De Naro is open to the public and begins at 7 p.m. in room 204 of Haverhill City Hall, 4 Summer St.