Essex County Probation Officers Maintain Presence During
Halloween Festivities in Salem

A group of Probation Officers from District, Juvenile, and Superior Court came out in full force to assist police during one of the most raucous nights in Salem: Halloween.

The seven Probation Officers were on hand to identify probationers and court-involved individuals and to maintain a presence in the city which draws at least 60,000 revelers to the historic, world-renown city. The Probation Officers were among the 250 law enforcement officials who turned out Tuesday night. There was a special urgency this Halloween after law enforcement officials received tips about a planned gang feud to happen during the festivities.

“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 also like to recognize Probation Officer Sean Whalen, Salem District Court Gang Task Force Liaison, who was pivotal in the coordination of our involvement in this collaboration.”

Essex Juvenile Chief Probation Officer Daniel Passacantilli, added “It is a very busy night for police and probation. Probationers and court-involved individuals will see us and maybe think twice about their actions.”

Representing probation at the Halloween festivities were Essex Juvenile Court Probation Officers: Bob Lynch, Kim Lawrence, Jose Avila, and Mark Webber. Lynn District Court Probation Officers maintaining a presence at the event were Kim Garbarino and Amy Simione. Salem District Court Probation Officer Jeff Dowd and Chief Probation Officer Dolores Gormley were also present. Essex Superior Court Probation Officer Jeff January was also on hand.