3 Waltham Police Officers To Go To Puerto Rico

WALTHAM, MA — Three Waltham police officers are headed to Puerto Rico as part of a Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) effort to assist with security there.

Detective Jorge Orta, Officer Kaitlyn MacPherson and Officer Patrick Dean will be headed to Puerto Rico shortly, Waltham Police announced today.

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In late September the Baker-Polito Administration formed a task force that will ensure that the state is prepared to support residents of Puerto Rico who chose to self-evacuate the island and seek temporary or permanent residence in Massachusetts. State officials remain in communication with the Government of Puerto Rico and federal authorities and are ready and willing to offer emergency assistance, such as personnel and equipment, at the request of Puerto Rico.

As part of those efforts MEMA is mobilizing a team of 69 law enforcement officers from 12 departments across the state to assist with security duties in Puerto Rico.

“We are proud that a team of law enforcement officers will deploy to Puerto Rico to help keep residents safe after the recent catastrophic hurricanes,” said Governor Charlie Baker in a press release. “The Commonwealth continues to offer personnel and equipment resources as needed to Puerto Rico, and is preparing to welcome disaster survivors traveling to Massachusetts. We will keep collaborating at all levels of government to support Puerto Rico throughout this difficult time.”

While deployed in Puerto Rico, law enforcement officers are expected to assist local law enforcement with enforcing the curfew and other security measures. The deployment will be divided into three separate two week rotations and also includes 13 Massachusetts State Police cruisers which will be used by officers for the duration of the deployment. FEMA will arrange for the military to fly the cruisers to Puerto Rico, and to return them after the six week deployment.

Governor Baker, Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Representative Jeffrey Sánchez and members of the Boston Foundation also announced the Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico Fund to support and respond to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricanes Maria and Irma. The fund has been formed in partnership with the Latino Legacy fund and in cooperation with the Alliance for Puerto Rico. Funds raised will be distributed for reconstruction and relief on the island of Puerto Rico and to support self-evacuees arriving in Massachusetts from Puerto Rico for temporary or permanent residence.

*The state recommends those looking to volunteer get involved with an established disaster relief organization, ensuring a coordinated effort. People are asked not to self-deploy to a disaster area. Information on volunteering is available through the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD): https://www.nvoad.org/current-disasters/werespond

Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch