The City of Northampton does not have painted boxes or "Don't block the box" signs posted at any of our intersections. NPD has noticed that several intersections have become problematic not only for emergency vehicles, but also for the regular flow of traffic. This is due to vehicles stopping in traffic and completely blocking intersections, also known as "creating gridlock".
MGL Chapter 89 Section 9 stipulates the following:
"The driver of a motor vehicle shall not cross or enter an intersection, which it is unable to proceed through, without stopping and thereby blocking vehicles from travelling in a free direction. A green light is no defense to blocking the intersection. The driver must wait another cycle of the signal light, if necessary".
You will notice our sign boards out in several locations to remind drivers to keep the intersections clear and Officers will be monitoring these areas to help educate motorists.
We are hiring!
If you are interested in becoming a Police Officer with NPD, we are holding an open PT assessment, on Saturday May 30th at 8am. This is the first step in the hiring process. Please contact Captain Robinson for further details.
/employment-home.html
Please join us in wishing @douglascomfortdog a happy 9th birthday (66 in Dog Years)! He is celebrating by getting pampered at @fursaflyin in Easthampton.
#comfortdoug #NPDcomfortdog
The @cityofnorthampton DPW was out yesterday getting things prepped for the annual @hampshirepride this Saturday (5/2). If you are headed downtown between 11a-1p expect road closures. The parade starts at Sheldon Field and makes it's way down Rt. 9, onto Main St. and ending at Crafts Ave. Officers will be on duty assisting with detours.
**Fundraising Notice**
There are a lot of scams out there but we wanted to let our residents know of a real fund drive for the Northampton Police Association. Starting Monday 4/20 you may receive calls from contracted representatives of the Association.
Last year the Association donated over $15,000 to local youth activities, charities and sports in our area!
🐾 Happy Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week, Northampton! 🐾
This week, we celebrate our dedicated ACO's .
From rescuing lost pets and responding to emergencies, to enforcing animal welfare laws and educating the public, our Animal Control Officers work tirelessly behind the scenes.
A Big thank you to our full-time Animal Control Officer , Dawn Ubelaker, and our part-time Animal Control Officer, Tayshana Rodriguez-Logan! Your compassion, professionalism, and commitment make Northampton a better place for all.
The week of April 12th through April 18th, 2026, is recognized as National Public Safety Telecommunicators’ Week, a time set aside each year to formally honor the hard work, and dedication of our 911 Call-Takers.
Telecommunicators are often the unseen and unsung heroes of emergency services. Thank you Northampton Dispatchers for all your hard work!
POLICE PATCH FUNDRAISER!
April is Autism Awareness Month. Please help us reach our goal of raising $500 for the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism. Throughout the month of April, we are selling a limited number of our Northampton Police autism awareness patches for $10/each, with all proceeds benefitting the foundation.
ORDER & DONATE ONLINE:
To place your order (or just donate!), visit our webpage:
/event/northamptonpd2026/
PAYMENT & PICK-UP:
All patch purchases and donations MUST be made online through the foundation's website. Patches cannot be mailed and can be picked up in the lobby of the Northampton Police Department (29 Center Street) after purchasing online. If you have any questions about this fundraiser or how to purchase a patch, please contact Detective Lauren Bolduc ([email protected]).
ABOUT THE FLUTIE FOUNDATION:
Former NFL Quarterback Doug Flutie and his wife, Laurie started the Doug Flutie, Jr. Flutie Foundation for Autism in 1998 after their son, Dougie was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3. Their personal experience of raising a son on the autism spectrum inspired them to help others on an equally long and challenging journey. Over its 20-year history, the Flutie Foundation has distributed over $15 million to schools and organizations that provide clinical therapies, respite services, recreational programs, social skills training, job supports, and more for people affected by autism.
On Saturday (3/21/26) we concluded our 2026 Citizen Police Academy. For the past 8 Saturdays we have had a great group of people who have been at the PD from 9-noon learning the ins and outs of law enforcement. We want to thank them for their time and hope they got something meaningful out of it.
If you missed out and are interested, check back next year as we hope to hold another session over the winter.
Friendly reminder as this can create a dangerous driving condition:
While there is no single "snow removal" statute, Massachusetts law implicitly requires clearing your car. M.G.L. Chapter 85, Section 36 (unsecured load) and Chapter 90, Section 13 (impeded operation) allow police to fine drivers up to for driving with snow/ice on the roof, hood, or windows, as it poses a hazard
