Oak Bluffs shellfish department target of thefts, vandalism, complaints

0
A basket of scallops from the lagoon are brought ashore. — Photo by Sam Moore

Oak Bluffs police are investigating the theft on Nov. 10 of two shellfish drags and a radio, valued at approximately $1,500, out of a shellfish department boat.

On Nov. 13, shellfish constable David Grunden reported to the police that a vandal put water in the gas tank of his personal truck, causing approximately $3,000 worth of damage to the engine. No arrests have been made, and there are no suspects at this time, according to police.

On a positive note, Mr. Grunden said that a commercial fisherman lent the town two drags until the pilfered ones can be replaced. Mr. Grunden declined to give the fisherman’s name over concern that he, too, would become a vandalism target.

The vandalism and thefts came against the backdrop of Mr. Grunden’s decision to close Sengekontacket to scalloping to protect seed, juvenile scallops, and stepped-up enforcement over the taking of seed from open areas.

In a related incident, on Nov. 3, deputy shellfish warden Jason Mallory was involved in a physical altercation with scalloper Steven Amaral, 80, at Medeiros Cove on Lagoon Pond. The skirmish began, according to Officer Chris Wiggin’s report, when Mr. Mallory inspected Mr. Amaral’s catch for seed.

According to Mr. Amaral’s statement, Mr. Mallory was unprofessional, aggressive, and profane. According to Mr. Mallory, Mr. Amaral was uncooperative and attempted to evade inspection.

The physical confrontation began when Mr. Mallory began going through the basket of scallops and throwing seed back into the water. A shoving match ensued — each man claims the other grabbed his arm — and ended with Mr. Amaral on the ground at the water’s edge, according to the police report.

Mr. Mallory called Mr. Grunden to the scene, who spoke to Mr. Amaral. Mr. Amaral accused Mr. Grunden of having a personal vendetta against him, and went to the police station to file a formal complaint.

According to the police report, Mr. Amaral had a litany of complaints against Mr. Mallory, “however his two main issues were being thrown to the ground and the unprofessional behavior of Mallory; specifically his profanity and aggression.”

“Mallory estimated that roughly 10 to 15 percent of Amaral’s catch had been seed, and some of them were obvious,” Officer Wiggin said. “Mallory did state that he was surprised at how many adult scallops Amaral had managed to catch.”

Following extensive discussion, Officer Wiggin concluded in his report that “Mallory’s version of events, as least as far as the assault was concerned, was the more plausible of the two.” Officer Wiggin decided not to bring charges, but did suggest to Mr. Mallory he could take steps to avoid confrontations that included calling for a supervisor or police officer sooner.

On Monday, Mr. Grunden told The Times that as a result of the altercation, he’d had discussions with the personnel department and town administrator Robert Whritenour, and that he anticipates changes in personnel policies and professional standards. He also said uniforms for the shellfish department are under consideration. He questioned the wisdom of the expense. “We have T shirts in the summer because there are so many people who don’t know us,” he said. “This time of year, everybody knows who we are.”