Somerset Police Department Limiting Public Access to Police Station as Precaution Against Coronavirus

SOMERSET — Chief George McNeil reports that the Somerset Police Department will be limiting access to the public at its police station as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus, and would like to assure Somerset residents that the level of service provided by the department will not change.

The Somerset Police Department will continue to respond to all emergencies. However, the department will be limiting access to the police station to outside visitors for general, walk-in business until further notice. Additionally, the department will not be holding any meetings in its training room until further notice.

The Somerset Fire Department lobby will also be closed to the public until further notice.

Residents are asked to contact the police business line at 508-679-2138 or send an email to contact@www.somersetpd.org for information or non-emergencies. Residents who would like to make records requests are asked to email l_raposo@somersetpd.org.

Firearms permits will continue to be processed, and applicants will be asked a series of questions about their current health status before being asked to go to the station.

As always, please call 911 for any emergency. 

This proactive approach will limit the risk of COVID-19 exposure to police personnel and is meant to enhance the practice of social distancing.

“We are taking several precautionary measures to ensure our personnel are prepared to care for our community members during this situation,” Chief McNeil said. “Our top priority is the continued health and safety of our staff and community, and I want to assure residents that our personnel will continue to serve our residents as they always have.”

In addition to limiting public access to the lobby, the Somerset Police Department has taken the following actions:

• Increasing the cleaning and sanitation of common touch points and surfaces
• Encouraging proper self-care and hygiene including frequently washing hands, ensuring bathrooms are stocked with hand washing materials and making cleaning products and sanitizers available
• Ensuring all personnel are fit-tested for masks
• Reviewing Contagious Diseases and Pandemic Planning and Response policies
• Reviewing the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Modifying medical response protocol in conjunction with the Somerset Fire Department
• Ensuring the department has ample supplies of PPE for medical responses

These temporary measures will be reviewed on a continuous basis. When changes are necessary, they will be communicated to the public.

For more information, visit the DPH website by clicking here and the CDC’s website by clicking here.

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