Responding to social media posts critical of police response to a speeding white pickup truck that reached 100 mph on Thursday, Oct. 13, through Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Tisbury, the Tisbury Police have issued a press release that contains the on-air transmissions by police officers that night.
“It has come to the attention of the Tisbury Police Department that there have been various comments on social media regarding the motor vehicle crash that took place during the evening hours of Thursday, October 13th, 2022,” the release states. “While our agency encourages constructive feedback, some discussions, including courtroom testimony, expressed statements and assumptions based on fundamental inaccuracies or uninformed speculations. Furthermore, some of these comments insinuated that officers’ actions during a ‘pursuit’ perpetuated the dangerousness of this situation. Based on all available information at this time, we believe these assertions are damaging to public trust and simply inaccurate.”
Along with the press release, which is published on the department’s Facebook page, the police issued an edited version of the radio transmissions that night, saying that it was “abridged to reduce periods of silence and unrelated traffic between radio transmissions.” A full, unedited version is also available.
The radio transmissions start with an Edgartown officer seeing the white pickup speed by. He pursues the vehicle, but when a sergeant asks what the infraction is and the officer says speeding and failure to stop for police, the sergeant tells him to back off and he does.
Police officers in Oak Bluffs and Tisbury also observe the vehicle, but don’t give chase, according to the transmissions, one officer stating: “That vehicle is going way too fast for me to follow.”
Another officer watches as the vehicle returns in the opposite direction on Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road toward the roundabout and says it went by at about 90 mph. “I’m not following it,” the officer can be heard saying.
An Oak Bluffs officer manages to get a plate number and is praised by a supervisor and then told to back off.
The pickup is spotted going around the roundabout and back toward Vineyard Haven. After some radio silence, a dispatcher reports a crash at 338 Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road. At first officers have difficulty finding the vehicle, but then see it about 50 yards into the woods.
Driver Zander Amaral, who suffered only minor injuries after hitting a utility pole, was arrested and charged with multiple motor vehicle infractions, including operating under the influence of alcohol.
“It should also be noted that all three supervising sergeants from TPD, EPD & OBPD, when applicable, verbally instructed their officers to terminate any potential pursuit to mitigate further risk to the general public. While our agency fully supports being held accountable for our mistakes, it is imperative that we clarify and address allegations of misconduct, especially when said allegations are based on a false premise,” the release states. “Finally, we would like to thank the Edgartown Police, Oak Bluffs Police, the Massachusetts State Police, Tisbury Fire/EMS, Oak Bluffs Fire/EMS and our local community for their professionalism and support with this investigation.”
Thank you for the helpful clarification. It should be obvious that the police are not at fault. There are always, always those who opt to defend drunk or otherwise reckless drivers here, and they do an exceptionally poor job of it, the simple reason being that it’s indefensible.
When a friend or family member causes this kind of damage and poses this degree of risk, focus on that individual’s abysmal choices. Blaming others is nothing more than enabling and deflection, which only perpetuates the cycle.
I hope this person never drives again.
Oh man, Kozak is gonna be pi***d when he reads this.
Something tells me he’s going to conveniently miss this one…
Thank you for the introduction, Jim.
Ahem…(clears throat)… this is complete self serving garbage from the police.
The words alone from a radio transmission recording, even an unedited one, addresses nothing to the location and speed of the police vehicles.
We are supposed to trust their words.
Whoever trusts words from law enforcement officers when the Supreme Court says it is permissible for them to lie in the course of their duties?
Until the dash-cams and body worn camera recordings of ALL the officers involved, including the off-duty officers communicating through “irregular channels”, and any MA State police, who can trust the force which cannot even maintain an inventory of their deadly firearms?
It must be tough to go through life thinking that there are conspiracies and liars all around us.
I guess once you have an opinion, actual evidence is just proof that the conspiracy is even bigger than you thought, as now there are more liars telling more lies to cover up the last lies that have been debunked by the lying media and lying technicians that alter the tapes.
I wonder why you believe that Mr. Amaral was actually exceeding the speed limit ? If the police lie about everything, why believe just that part ?
And really, James– just admit it– If all the body and dash cam videos were shown to you, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference in your opinion.
Don – don’t waste your time on Mr. K. Tainted honey likely has long term side effects.
I am disappointed that the times gives credence to one person who posted a comment here.
That person has a personal issue with the Tisbury police department for reasons most of us know.
As always, the police on this island exhibit restraint, caution for the general public, and a true commitment to our community, as well as people who are in some sort of crisis.
Respect
Not allowing ones opinion is the insidious trajectory that some on this site would like to have. One poster doesnt trust the Tisbury Police. So What? Two posters dont trust anything I say. Should MVTimes curb participation based upon ”credence”
You’re underestimating yourself Andy. At least 80% of people here don’t trust anything thing you say.
I know that Mr Patterson and that is why I say it because most of you need enlightenment.
I am not saying that I am not for allowing opinions.
I was just disappointed. — That is my opinion. And I should not have used the word “credence”, as the Times did not in any way condone or validate James’ comment. My apologies to George.
As far as trust goes— that is something that is usually based on observation.
The Tisbury police do not habitually lie. Therefore I trust them.
Some commentors here do habitually lie. Therefore I don’t trust them.
That does not mean I think they should be banned from commenting–especially when it comes to an opinion.
But when they lie about facts, I will call them out.
Is that OK with you ?
Make it 3 Andy. I don’t trust anything you say either.
Liberals never trust what Conservatives say. Anything that comes out of MV should be suspect.
Actually Andy, I trust what a good amount of conservatives say. Just not you.
They do “moderate” at their own discretion. Most of the “moderating” leads one way politically.
Why does the Island fail to have a newspaper that represents your point of view?
The market is too small?
You would be headliner in parts of Texas and Florida.
Don, a lot of people have concerns about the TPD.
Guns gone missing and Xsaegent Day come to mind.
I hope Mr. Kozak covers this update as thoroughly as he covered the rumor.
Mr. Kozak never hesitates to cover the verifiable truth, from credible sources.
The Tisbury Police, in light of the countless lawsuits against them and bungling of the public trust, are not one of those sources.
Ask the MV Times how often they are screwed with by the TPD with their FOI requests.
I rest my case.
No need to chase. Simply call ahead and block the anticipated path of that drunk driver. Letting someone go 100 mph is a death warrant. And what’s this $200 bail? Geesh!
He has not been convicted of a crime.
Bail is not for punishment.
Punishment comes after a guilty verdict.
Has this guy ever jumped bail?
What are his Island roots?
Amaral is a very old Island name.
Who cares about anyone’s supposed roots? Deplorable actions are all that matter. A family name means nothing.
Once again a keller -like technicality. He has not been convicted but everyone knows he committed a crime and should have a higher bail. This could have ended tragically and you put forward innocent before guilty claims.
I think the police departments handled the situation professionally.
And I’m glad I drove a different route home from work that night … at the same time of this accident. Scary
Is it true that this person reportedly had a similar situation in August ?
If so, why did nothing get done in terms of ensuring it wouldn’t happen again?
I see a lot of people on this island coddle their kids to the point they handicap them. And then the general public gets to deal with them. Or potentially killed by them.
Again, it’s scary.
I lost a childhood friend who died in a motorcycle accident … while being pursued by police. Amaral hopefully considers that fact he is still alive.
One’s ties to the community is a major factor in setting bail.
If this was the son of a well loved Island Chief of Police, or Fire Chief, there likely would have been no bail.
Roots matter.
The Island has strong roots.
No one but you cares about roots when it comes to keeping drunken, life-endangering maniacs off the road. Get over it.