Now that I am an adult, I wanted to sit down and write a few things that might help you find something to do.  Hold it right there, I know what you’re thinking, “You’re an adult, and you have no idea what a teenager wants to do.”  You’re right, but read on anyway.

This list is in no particular order, and I just threw in there a few examples to help.  I did break the list down to in school and out of school activities, so here you go.

 In School:

• Go to dances – Give them a try, they are more fun than you think.
• Attend sporting events – Get on the rollercoaster.  Winter sports are just warming up.  (Bad pun, I know.)
• Go see a play or a musical concert – ‘Tis the season for holiday concerts.
• Get involved in a club – Anyone hear of Dumbledore’s Army?
• Try out for a sports team – Try out for a team that you never thought you would make it on.  You never know until you try.
• Be a manager for a sports team
• Video tape or write a story for the Lobby O – Fun to do, but not as easy as you think.
• Workout in the Fitness Center – Workout and watch TV, what a great place.
• Mentor/Tudor a student – Help out another student, it makes you both feel good.
• Get political – STUCO and Principal’s Council just to name two.
• Study – just kidding, I wanted to see if you were still reading.

 Out of School:

• Go to the movies – 12 Screens in Westborough WITH 3d!! Much cooler than Flick one and two.  (The Flick was an old theater that was once where Staples is now.)
• Rent a DVD – Video Vault and Redbox are right in town.
• Go out for dinner – Try to list all the restaurants in town, I dare you…I stopped at 15.  Joe’s, Outback, Uno’s, Mulligan’s, South Street…..
• Play Rec Ball – It was never this competitive when I was in school.
• Play wiffle ball – Thanks to Black for giving me this one.
• Go mini golfing – Holy Cow Ice cream has indoor mini golf for a low cost.  Also there is a new mini golf course opening at Green Thumb this summer.
• Get some ice cream – Are you a DQ or a Uhlman’s person?
• Go shopping – Target, Bay State Commons, Westborough Shopping Center…
• Geocaching – I had no idea what this was until a few weeks ago.  Trust me google it and try it…it’s fun.
• Take a HIKE!  No really, take a hike on one of the many trails in Westborough.  The Charm Bracelet is well known in central mass.
• Go golfing – Even if you have no idea how to golf, go for the fun.  There are two golf courses in Westborough.
• Play video games – Invite a few friends over and play a few games.  There has to be a game you like, there a thousands of them.  (Black Ops is not as good as Modern Warfare 2.)
• Go fishing – Mill Pond is known for great fishing.
• Gather a few friends and play a board game – This is what we did, before video games.  LIFE, Monopoly, Battleship, Uno’s…
• Go out for breakfast – South Street, Christina’s; there are many great places for breakfast.
• Take in a concert – Concert at the Commons, Concerts at the Willows
• Attend a play – Community Chorus will be having their holiday play soon.
• Make a meal for a less fortunate family.  Check with Westboro Food Pantry to find out how.
• Volunteer – If you do it once and get the feeling, you will do it again.  There is nothing better than doing something and expecting nothing in return.
• Go out for coffee – What is the number of Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks in town?  Answer:  D&D = 5 Starbucks = 2 .  See me for locations. 
• Go bowling – Northboro and Shrewsbury have bowling lanes.  There is no sport out there that I am worse at, but have the most fun doing.
• Go for a drive around town – obey the traffic laws, but drive around and see what’s around town.
• Go apple picking – There is still one apple orchard in town on Spring Road.  No picking, go to Tougas Farms in Northboro for that.
• Visit historic places in town – Start at the Westborough Historical Society in the Forbes building and they can show you great places to go.
• Read a book – Sounds boring to some, but it feeds your brain.

 I know I left out a ton of things to do; I just wanted to get you thinking about all there is to do in Westborough.

So next time you hear “there is nothing to do in Westborough”, show them this list and get a good laugh.  

Stay safe,
Officer Dapolite

We have failed you. The voting adults in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have failed in trying to protect the young in our society. We have enacted a law that has decriminalized Marijuana possession for under an ounce. This new law makes Marijuana a civil citation of $100. This equates to a motor vehicle ticket that you can get for breaking a law while driving.

I have had the opportunity to talk with several adults who voted in favor of this law. I have always asked them the question: “How much is an ounce of marijuana?” I have not had anyone give me the correct answer. Most think it is one joint, others say three or four. Most are surprised to find out that depending on how much marijuana is used, an ounce can range from 40-65 joints. An ounce is much more than personal use. Voters were not educated and this vote may have cost the health of young adults.

There is an argument that Marijuana is not a “hard” drug and it impacts the health much less than other “hard” drugs. However, Marijuana does impact a person’s heath to some degree. Please read the excerpt from NIDA – USA.gov (http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/marijuana/Marijuana4.html#addictive)

Health Consequences of Marijuana Abuse

Acute (present during intoxication)

• Impairs short-term memory

• Impairs attention, judgment, and other cognitive functions

• Impairs coordination and balance

• Increases heart rate

Persistent (lasting longer than intoxication, but may not be permanent)

• Impairs memory and learning skills

Long-term (cumulative, potentially permanent effects of chronic abuse)

• Can lead to addiction

• Increases risk of chronic cough, bronchitis, and emphysema

• Increases risk of cancer of the head, neck, and lungs

It is accepted that Marijuana does impact the health of people, so why would we decimalize something that may jeopardize the heath of our young adults?

I also take exception to the mixed message that society is sending to young adults. The drinking age is 21 years old, and if you are under the age of 21, you could be arrested if you are in possession of alcohol. I use this scenario:

If the police respond to a house party with underage drinking, the underage young adults could be subject to arrest. If there is young adult smoking marijuana, he or she is subject to a $100 fine. The young adults who are arrested could have a criminal record for the possession of alcohol. The young adult who is smoking marijuana will not have a criminal record.

I have talked with teachers at Westborough High School and they see an increase in the use of marijuana. Through my own experiences as a school resource officer, I see an increase in marijuana use. I do not think the voters in Massachusetts wanted to see an increase in young adults using marijuana. This law should be thrown out and new legislation should be made to protect young adults and to stop the mixed message that is being sent to them.

I am not trying to make the argument that one drug is worse than another drug. I am trying to show that society should have the best interest in our young adults’ heath and safety. I do not believe that the marijuana law puts the best interest of the children first.

Please stay safe and make good decisions.

Officer Dapolite

One of the easiest ways to protect your belongings is to not bring anything that you deem very valuable to school. I know that’s easier said than done, but this can reduce the amount of theft at WHS. A good amount of theft occurs is in the locker room area. If you decide to bring your Itouch or Ipod to school, you should take it out of your bag and lock it in the locker. If you think its valuable, so does someone else and it would be wise to lock your belongings. While I am talking about locking your valuables, please keep your vehicles locked. Do not rely on other people to keep your valuables safe, take the responsibility on yourself and take a moment and lock your belongings up.

It is that time of year again, lockdown drill and fire drills. How can you keep safe during these drills? That’s an easy one, keep quiet, listen to your teacher and do what is asked of you. I know what is going through your mind, “Officer Dapolite, it’s just a drill…” How you train is how you will perform during a real emergency. Please remember when a fire alarm goes off or a lock down is initiated; only a few people know it’s a drill. Your teacher may not know it’s a drill and it may not be one.

Walking at WHS can be a challenge. It seems that whoever designed the parking lot forgot that students and staff will be walking to their vehicles. While you are walking on school grounds, keep alert. Do not assume the vehicle is going to stop for you, even if you are in a crosswalk. If you are driving, drive slow. There is no reason to be driving more than 20 MPH while on school grounds. Stay alert, stay alive.

When you leave the school environment, take these safety tips with you. Keeping yourself safe does not stop when you leave school, it continues as you go out in to the community.

Stay safe,

Officer Dapolite

Its all around us: TV, cell phone, telephone, e-mail, internet, IRC, IM, text messaging the list can go on and on.  The age of communications is upon us and with this comes responsibility.   The responsibility is to keep in the mind the golden rule: Treat others the way you would want to be treated.

I know you hear about cyber bullying all the time, you may even be tired of hearing about it, but did you know that cyber bullying could be a crime.

Cyber bullying can be defined as an electronic communication that harasses or intimidates another person.  The harassment can be statements that are threatening, such as “I am going to kill you!”, “I am gonna kick your ***” You could be charged with a crime for any statement you make that could be considered a threat.  (MGL 275 Section 2-4, Threat to Commit a Crime)  If you say that you are going to kill someone and it places the recipient of that message in reasonable fear, you could be charged in a court of law with threatening to commit a crime.

There are other crimes that can come from cyber bullying: Criminal Harassment, Stalking, Assault (Look up assault, it does not mean that you hit a person, unlike how it is used by the media.) and there are many other crimes that may stem from cyber bullying.

Don’t get me wrong, these “new” ways of communicating can be great.  People need to look at these communications the same way they would if the recipient of the message was standing right next to them.  These types of electronic communication take the inflection and tone away from the words; leaving the recipient of the message the daunting task of knowing whether or not you are joking, being sarcastic, or being “playful”.

The effects of cyber bullying can be minor; you could alienate a good friend, cause a verbal argument or just make a person sad.  However, the more serious side, a person can go into a depression, become suicidal, or even violent.  (A number of school shootings have been traced back to cyber bullying)

If you are the victim of cyber bullying, tell someone: Your parent or guardian, a teacher, school resource officer, councilor, a friend, tell anyone and ask for help from an adult. An ABC News poll showed that only 15% of high school student reported cyber bullying to adults. Yet, over 65% admit that they have been cyber bullied. (www.isafe.org)

This is the age of technology; use these “new” types of communication to be a productive member of society.  Remember two things:  1) Communicate with others the way you would like them to communicate with you.  2) However you communicate (Text, Chat, email…) write only the things that you would verbally say to that person.

So is cyber bullying a crime … yes!

Please, be safe.

Officer Dapolite

cdapolite@westboroughpolice.com