Tom Aspell, John Duval & Brian LeBrun conspire to bring militarized vehicle to Concord

Last year here in Keene, NH – a college town of 25,000 –  the “Thanks but no tanks!” campaign was in full-swing. An overwhelming percentage of Keene inhabitants vocalized their preference to not have their town patrolled by a Lenco Bearcat (Ballistic Engineered Armored Response Counter Attack Truck) yet the self-described “authorities” requested and accepted the grant money for its acquisition.

Now, the bureaucrats and police outfit in Concord, NH, a sleepy political town of 43,000, are hoping to working to bring the same militarized vehicle to their area based on far-reaching, purposefully inaccurate claims, such as: “Sovereign Citizens, Free Staters and Occupy New Hampshire are active and present daily challenges” – huh!??
(more…)

Cheshire Sheriff Rivera Cop Blocks Federal Immigration Enforcers

Cheshire Sheriff Rivera Cop Blocks Federal Immigration Enforcers

Sheriff Eli Rivera

Sheriff Eli Rivera

Cheshire County Sheriff Eli Rivera has been making headlines this week for his compassionate stance against working with federal immigration enforcers. Rivera, a longtime fixture in the community and multi-term sheriff, announced via his website last week:

After taking some time to reflect on this current issue, as Sheriff, I’ve decided that the Cheshire County Sheriff’s Office will not seek to enter into an agreement with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) to enforce federal immigrations laws. Furthermore, we will not participate in raids, stings or operations that are solely intended at locating an undocumented person or persons. Any representative of ICE requesting our assistance must have an active criminal warrant issued by a judge or must be actively pursuing a criminal investigation that relates to public safety for us to participate.

It’s a welcome policy in a place where being brown or black makes one stick out like a sore thumb, given the population here in Cheshire County is about 96% white.

According to the Sentinel’s report on Rivera’s announcement Keene Police’s acting chief, Steve Russo has yet to comment on the issue, but his late predecessor Brian Costa‘s position was similar to Rivera’s, saying, “We have no interest going forward, nor do we have the resources for deputizing our officers as part of ICE to go out and seek illegal or undocumented immigrants…We govern ourselves by our mission statement”, which says KPD is “to protect life and property and to maintain order within the City while assuring fair and respectful treatment of everyone.”

Costa said of that mission statement in his interview with the Sentinel earlier this month, prior to his untimely passing, “It’s not just a group of words…It’s how we do business.”

Brian Costa

KPD’s Late Chief Brian Costa

It sounds like Sheriff Rivera is on the same page as Costa. In his excellent statement, Rivera continues:

In addition, we will not ask a person their immigration status or detain a person based on an administrative civil detainer that is not issued by a judge. As Sheriff, I do not want undocumented immigrants to fear the Sheriff’s Office, instead I want them to be able to approach and speak to any of my deputies without the fear that they will be turned over to ICE. If in the course of our duties we happen to come across an undocumented person we will handle each encounter in a way we deem appropriate for each situation…

 

If you are an undocumented person in Cheshire County and feel uncertain about approaching law enforcement for fear they will turned you over to ICE, feel free to call me, Sheriff Eli Rivera, at the Cheshire County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the WMUR report on Rivera’s policy, some control-freak politicians are butthurt over this. Good. Unlike those cowardly politicians, kudos to Rivera for having the courage to do the right thing and truly protect the people of Cheshire county from the evil hands of the federal government. It would be better of course if Rivera would also stop cooperating with the feds on other victimless crime enforcement, like the insane War on Drugs, but this is a BIG step in the right direction.

I’m glad to live in a place where law enforcement acts more human, more often, than anywhere else I’ve ever been. You’ve got Rick Van Wickler, Cheshire County’s jail superintendent who is also a longtime speaker at Law Enforcement Action Partnership, a compassionate group of mostly former police which you may remember as being previously called, “Law Enforcement Against Prohibition” until they expanded their mission to include other issues where police reform is badly needed,  Van Wickler has been a constant presence in Concord at state house hearings about drug legalization, speaking strongly in favor of any efforts to end prohibition in New Hampshire.  He also runs his jail much more compassionately than the supermajority of the others in the United States.  Add to that, a relatively calm and approachable group of Keene police, and now this excellent news from Sheriff Rivera.

Thank you, Eli. You’ve earned my vote in the next election. The land known as Cheshire county in the Shire should be a sanctuary for all peaceful people. Your immigration policy helps us get closer to that ideal. Next step, NH seceding from the United States! Viva New Hampshire!

Original Keene Cop Blocker Reflects on Surprising Death of Police Chief

Original Keene Cop Blocker Reflects on Surprising Death of Police Chief

Brian Costa

Brian Costa

I was shocked to hear the news on WKBK earlier this week that Brian Costa, Keene’s police chief since 2015, had died in his home one week ago. I was even more surprised to learn he was just 46 years old. Unlike his predecessor, Brian treated me like a human being. He was kind, respectful, and approachable. Surely he and I disagreed on various subjects, but that never stopped him from being willing to work with me where we agreed. The few times I’d interacted with him in his too-short-a-term as police chief, I was impressed with his humanity and professionalism. Though I didn’t know him well, I wish I did.

Years ago when I moved here, as many activists do, I had an axe to grind with the police. The police, as the enforcement arm of the state, were obviously the bad guys. However, as one of the original Cop Blockers, (Badge #5) out in the streets as often as I was, it didn’t take me long to begin connecting with the Keene police as fellow human beings (instead of mindless statist automatons, which is easy for us libertarians to think about police if we don’t know them). The most memorable early paradigm-shifting encounter was my ride-along with KPD’s Shane Maxfield, nearly a decade ago.

At various different activist events in Keene, (the home of Cop Block) I encountered Brian Costa on multiple occasions, who prior to becoming chief was one of KPD’s two captains. However, due to him being a captain, his responsibilities were more management than they were patrol, so our contact was fairly limited at that time.

Meanwhile, Costa’s predecessor as chief, Ken Meola had gone from having breakfast monthly with Sam Dodson and me, to pretending like I didn’t exist for years after the drinking game arrests.

Imagine my pleasant surprise then, when one day shortly after Brian’s appointment as Keene police chief, I was standing out in Central Square, distracted by something on my phone. As I looked up from my device, there he was right in front of me! Brian was dressed in his full Keene police uniform, as any other patrol officer would be. He explained that he’d seen me from his walk downtown and he wanted to introduce himself.

I’ll always remember that about him. I was struck by how humble he appeared. Not only was he not above walking the streets like any other KPD officer, but that he would take time to come over and say hello was really impressive. I was happy to meet him officially and grateful to be treated like a human being by KPD’s chief for the first time in years.

Then, early in 2016, Brian called me out of the blue and asked me for help. There was a bad batch of heroin that had been hitting the streets and leading to overdoses. He had reached out to me as the publisher of Free Keene (Keene’s most popular blog and a Google news source), hoping that I would help get the word out about the bad batch of drugs. Of course I would. Though I’m against the war on drugs and it was Brian’s job to enforce it, we found common ground in the goal of harm reduction. I told him I’d get on it, thanked him for thinking of me, and immediately published this article about the bad dope. When I share goals with someone, despite our differences, I’m willing to work with them to accomplish our common goals. This builds bridges between people on opposite sides of other issues, increasing the likelihood of further communication and a growing mutual respect. Brian understood this, and he earned my respect by being a decent person.

Now, he’s gone from this world, and WAY too soon. Whoever is chosen as his permanent replacement has some BIG shoes to fill. I really wish I could have gotten to know Brian better. I feel like I missed out. (more…)

Keene Police

Transparency helps bring-about accountability. Individuals, not agencies, are responsible for actions.

This information on this page was brought-about by individuals who recognize that and from the KPD roster.

We choose to share it in an effort to live in a better community

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KEENE POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICERS

Keene Police Department
400 Marlboro Street
Keene, New Hampshire 03431

_______________________

Kevin BacaKevin Baca

officer
kbaca@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7215

Posts tagged “Kevin Baca” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Kevin Baca” at FreeKeene.com

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Matthew BombergMatthew Bomberg

officer
mbomberg@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813 x7203

Posts tagged “Matthew Bomberg” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Matthew Bomberg” at FreeKeene.com

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Peter Bowers thumbnailPeter Bowers

officer Suspended For DUI
pbowers@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813 x7187

Posts tagged “Peter Bowers” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Peter Bowers” at FreeKeene.com

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CB Missing PicJim Cemorelis

Sergeant Officer
jcemorelis@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7117

Posts tagged “James Cemorelis” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “James Cemorelis” at FreeKeene.com

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Joel ChidesterJoel Chidester

officer
jchidester@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7214

Posts tagged “Joel Chidester” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Joel Chidester” at FreeKeene.com

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Lesley CollierLesley Collier

officer
lcollier@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7198

Posts tagged “Lesley Collier” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Lesley Collier” at FreeKeene.com

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CB Missing PicRobert Collinsworth

detective
rcollinsworth@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7053

Posts tagged “Robert Collinsworth” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Robert Collinsworth” at FreeKeene.com

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CB Missing Pic

Steven Corrigan

officer
scorrigan@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7138

Posts tagged “Steven Corrigan” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Steven Corrigan” at FreeKeene.com

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Brian Costa ThumbnailBrian CostaBrian Costa

Chief of Police as of June 2015
bcosta@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7111

Posts tagged “Brian Costa” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Brian Costa” at FreeKeene.com

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TJ DerendalTJ Derendal

sergeant
tderendal@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7151

Posts tagged “TJ Derendal” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “TJ Derendal” at FreeKeene.com

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keene-copblock-parking-enforcement-police-employee-lindadesruisseauxLinda Desruisseaux

parking enforcement officer
ldesruisseaux@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7145

Posts tagged “Linda Desruisseaux” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Linda Desruisseaux” at FreeKeene.com

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Josh English thumbnailJosh English

K9 officer
jenglish@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7163

Posts tagged “Joshua English” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Joshua English” at FreeKeene.com

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Kevin Gena

officer
kgena@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7204

Posts tagged “Kevin Gena” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Kevin Gena” at FreeKeene.com

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CB Missing PicMichael C. Goodchild

officer
mcgoodchild@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7154

Posts tagged “Michael Goodchild” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Michael Goodchild” at FreeKeene.com

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keene-police-employee-copblock-matt-griffonMatt GriffinMatt Griffin

Bycicle officer
mgriffin@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7182

Posts tagged “Matt Griffin” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Matt Griffin” at FreeKeene.com

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CB Missing PicDaniel Hackler

dispatcher
dhackler@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7070

Posts tagged “Daniel Hackler” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Daniel Hackler” at FreeKeene.com

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Barry HiltonBarry Hilton

traffic safety specialist / animal control officer
bhilton@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7045

Posts tagged “Barry Hilton” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Barry Hilton” at FreeKeene.com

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CB Missing PicDan Hurley

officer
dhurley@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7192

Posts tagged “Dan Hurley” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Dan Hurley” at FreeKeene.com

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Mike-Kopcha ThumbnailMichael “Pepper” Kopcha

sergeant
mkopcha@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7188

Posts tagged “Michael Kopcha” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Michael Kopcha” at FreeKeene.com

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CB Missing PicRandal LaCoste

community Liaison
rlacoste@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7044

Posts tagged “Randal LaCoste” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Randal LaCoste” at FreeKeene.com

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Steven LaMearsSteven LaMears

detective
slamears@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7205

Posts tagged “Steven LaMears” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Steven LaMears” at FreeKeene.com

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James Lamoureux ThumbnailJames Lamoureux

High school liaison officer
jlamoureux@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7171

Posts tagged “James Lamoureux” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “James Lamoureux” at FreeKeene.com

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Todd Lawrence thumbnailTodd Lawrence

lieutenant
tlawrence@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7123

Posts tagged “Todd Lawrence” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Todd Lawrence” at FreeKeene.com

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CB Missing PicDon Lundin

detective
dlundin@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7172

Posts tagged “Don Lundin” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Don Lundin” at FreeKeene.com

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CB Missing PicKelvin J. Macie

accreditation specialist
kjmacie@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7037

Posts tagged “Kyle Macie” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Kyle Macie” at FreeKeene.com

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Kyle MacieKyle MacieKyle Macie

College Liaison officer
kmacie@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7191

Posts tagged “Kyle Macie” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Kyle Macie” at FreeKeene.com

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Shane Maxfield ThumbnailShane Maxfield

lieutenant
smaxfield@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7083

Posts tagged “Shane Maxfield” at KeeneCopBlock.org

Posts tagged “Shane Maxfield” at FreeKeene.com

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keene-police-employee-copblock-james-mclaughlinJames McLaughlin

lieutenant/detective
jmclaughlin@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7034

Posts tagged “James McLaughlin” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “James McLaughlin” at FreeKeene.com

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Jane McDermott ThumbnailJane McDermott

parking enforcement officer
jmcdermott@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7211

Posts tagged “Jane McDermott” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Jane McDermott” at FreeKeene.com

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Ken Meolapolice-[1]Ken “Kenny” Meola

FORMER chief Retired June 2015
kmeola@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7033

Posts tagged “Kenneth Meola” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Kenneth Meola” at FreeKeene.com

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CB Missing PicChristopher Milton

dispatcher
cmilton@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7147

Posts tagged “Christopher Milton” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Christopher Milton” at FreeKeene.com

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Finton-Moore ThumbnailFintan Moore

officer
fmoore@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7121

Posts tagged “Fintan Moore” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Fintan Moore” at FreeKeene.com

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Benjamin Nugent ThumbnailBenjamin NugentBenjamin Nugent

officer
bnugent@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7174

Posts tagged “Benjamin Nugent” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Benjamin Nugent” at FreeKeene.com

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CB Missing PicMichael O’Donnell

detective
modonnell@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7178

Posts tagged “Michael O’Donnell” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Michael O’Donnell” at FreeKeene.com

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Tim Peloquin thumbnailTim Peloquin

officer
tpeloquin@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7029

Posts tagged “Tim Peloquin” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Tim Peloquin” at FreeKeene.com

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Eric Pouliot2Eric Pouliot

officer
epouliot@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7209

Posts tagged “Eric Pouliot” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Eric Pouliot” at FreeKeene.com

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Jennifer Ramey ThumbnailJennifer Ramey

detective  Rape Assault Victims Unit
jramey@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7158

Posts tagged “Jennifer Ramey” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Jennifer Ramey” at FreeKeene.com

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Steven RussoSteven Russo

captain
srusso@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7140

Posts tagged “Steven Russo” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Steven Russo” at FreeKeene.com

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CB Missing PicWilliam Sargent

property officer
wsargent@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7085

Posts tagged “William Sargent” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “William Sargent” at FreeKeene.com

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Jason ShortJason Short

Prosecutor  sergeant
jshort@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7122

Posts tagged “Jason Short” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Jason Short” at FreeKeene.com

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chris simonds thumbnailChris Simonds

sergeant
csimonds@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7180

Posts tagged “Chris Simonds” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Chris Simonds” at FreeKeene.com

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CB Missing PicJonathan Stewart

officer
jstewart@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7084

Posts tagged “Jonathan Stewart” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Jonathan Stewart” at FreeKeene.com

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CB Missing PicSteven Stewart

lieutenant
sstewart@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7156

Posts tagged “Steven Stewart” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Steven Stewart” at FreeKeene.com

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Steven Tenney1Steven Tenney

lieutenant
stenney@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7142

Posts tagged “Steven Tenney” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Steven Tenney” at FreeKeene.com

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jason thompson thumbnailJason Thompson

Property officer
jthompson@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7176

Posts tagged “Jason Thompson” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Jason Thompson” at FreeKeene.com

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bruce uhas thumbnailBruce Uhas

officer
buhas@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7090

Posts tagged “Bruce Uhas” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Bruce Uhas” at FreeKeene.com

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CB Missing PicElizabeth Uhas

officer
euhas@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7118

Posts tagged “Elizabeth Uhas” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Elizabeth Uhas” at FreeKeene.com

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Collin ZamoreCollin Zamore

officer
czamore@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7186

Posts tagged “Collin Zamore” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Collin Zamore” at FreeKeene.com

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Katie ZamoreKatie Zamore (Corbett)

Former college liaison officer
kzamore@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7197

Posts tagged “Katie Zamore” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Katie Zamore” at FreeKeene.com

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KEENE POLICE DEPARTMENT NON-OFFICERS

CB Missing PicJoanna Balcom

dispatcher
jbalcom@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7063

Posts tagged “Joanna Balcom” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Joanna Balcom” at FreeKeene.com

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CB Missing PicSheryl Beckta

administrative specialist
sbeckta@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7137

Posts tagged “Sheryl Beckta” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Sheryl Beckta” at FreeKeene.com

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CB Missing PicMargo Best

police records specialist
mbest@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7181

Posts tagged “Margo Best” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Margo Best” at FreeKeene.com

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CB Missing PicJeanette Casna

police records specialist
jcasna@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7166

Posts tagged “Jeanette Casna” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Jeanette Casna” at FreeKeene.com

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CB Missing PicPat Gagnon

police records specialist
pgagnon@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7165

Posts tagged “Pat Gagnon” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Pat Gagnon” at FreeKeene.com

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keene-police-employee-copblock-jean-kilhamJean Kilham

prosecutor
jkilham@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7050

Posts tagged “Jean Kilham” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Jean Kilham” at FreeKeene.com

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Ginger ReyesGinger Reyes (Hill)

parking enforcement supervisor
greyes@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7100

Posts tagged “Ginger Reyes” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Ginger Reyes” at FreeKeene.com

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CB Missing PicDiane Theall

records manager
dtheall@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7013

Posts tagged “Diane Theall” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Diane Theall” at FreeKeene.com

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CB Missing PicAnmarie Wilson

dispatcher
awilson@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7110

Posts tagged “Anmarie Wilson” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Anmarie Wilson” at FreeKeene.com

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CB Missing PicPamela Zinn

dispatcher
pzinn@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813  x7199

Posts tagged “Pamela Zinn” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Pamela Zinn” at FreeKeene.com

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FORMER KPD EMPLOYEES

 

alan givetz thumbnailAlan Givetz

former Parking Enforcement Officer
Date of Departure: July 2013
agivetz@ci.keene.nh.us
603.357.9813 x7212

Posts tagged “Alan Givetz” at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Alan Givetz” at FreeKeene.com

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Peter ThomasPeter “Sturdy” Thomas

former captain, current town lacky and busybody
Town of Dublin Selectmen and Volunteer Fire Man
Posts tagged “Peter Thomas””
 at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Peter Thomas” at FreeKeene.com

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Jack ZellerJack Zeller

former detective, lost 2012 cheshire county sheriff Bid

Posts tagged “Jack Zeller””
 at KeeneCopBlock.org
Posts tagged “Jack Zeller” at FreeKeene.com

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