Essex County Probation Officers Maintain Presence During
Halloween Festivities in Salem

A group of Probation Officers from Salem District and Essex County Juvenile courts will show up in full force to assist police during one of the most raucous nights in Salem: Halloween.

The eight Probation Officers will be on hand to identify probationers and court-involved individuals and to maintain a presence at Salem Haunted Happenings which draws at least 60,000 revelers to the historic, world-renown city. The Probation Officers will be among the 200 law enforcement officials who will turn out Saturday night. 

“This is our community and Probation is committed to doing its part in keeping people safe. Our collaboration, past and present with the Salem Police Department and other police departments is an important part of the work we do,” said Dolores R. Gormley, Salem District Court Chief Probation Officer. “I would really like to thank the Salem Police Department for the opportunity to join them in this effort.”

Essex County Juvenile Court Chief Probation Officer Daniel Passacantilli, added “It is important to have probation at this event. Probation Officers can be a deterrent to unruly behavior. We know the community and we are familiar with the youngsters who come before the court.”

Salem Police Department Captain Thomas Griffin, who coordinated the law enforcement effort this year, said Probation’s participation is pivotal.

“If someone who is planning to cause problems sees their Probation Officer, they are less likely to act out. Working with probation has had a really positive impact,” Griffin said.

Representing probation at the Halloween festivities will be Essex County Juvenile Court Probation Officers: Bob Lynch, Kim Lawrence, Jose Avila, Michael Greenwald, Maria Boverini, and Mark Webber. Salem District Court Probation Officer Jeff Dowd and Chief Probation Officer Gormley will also be on hand.