Salem Police To 'Vigorously' Pursue Spiked-Drink Perpetrators

SALEM, MA — For the second time in 10 days, Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller urged residents and travelers to the city to take precautions against "drink-spiking" and warned potential perpetrators that police will "vigorously" pursue felony charges against those responsible.

"Placing a narcotic in an unsuspecting person's drink constitutes a felonious assault in and of itself," Miller said on Thursday. "Doing so in order to commit further crimes upon a victim significantly compounds that felony.

"We will vigorously pursue charges against the perpetrator."

Miller urged anyone who believes they have been a victim of drink-spiking to contact Salem police at 978-744-1212, email admin@salem.net or call 9-1-1 if you believe you are in immediate danger.

"The ability to enjoy Salem's nightlife, its restaurants and bars, and all other attractions is something we will always safeguard for our residents and visitors alike," Miller said.

Miller issued a similar warning on May 31 — but said at that time it was based on reports out of Boston and other state communities, not because of incidents tied specifically to Salem.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)