Tewksbury Hospital (Mass.) is facing increased scrutiny after a fourth reported assault on campus since an April 3 secruity policy change, NBC Boston reported April 20.
The policy from the Executive Office of HHS barred Tewksbury Hospital security personnel from carrying or using defensive tactical weapons, including pepper gel, batons and handcuffs, the outlet said.
Authorities said that a 45-year-old man accused another patient of stealing before assaulting him April 20. Officers responded to the hospital’s Nichols Building, where Beth Israel Lahey Health runs a second-step detox center. Staff separated the individuals before police arrived, and the victim was not seriously hurt. The suspect is expected to be arraigned April 21 on a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon in Lowell District Court, according to the outlet.
Since the policy took effect, three additional incidents involving staff have been reported, including cases April 7 and April 12. Tewksbury Police Chief Ryan Columbus raised concerns about safety risks, noting the individual involved in the latest incident has 129 entries on their criminal record. Nurses and local officials have also expressed concern about staff and patient safety, and a local selectman said the issue warrants further public discussion.
Becker’s has reached out to Tewksbury Hospital for comment and will update this story if more information becomes available.
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