FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 1, 2014

CONTACT: Peter Van Delft
(617) 704-6682

SHERIFF TOMPKINS, DEPARTMENT CONTINUE SUPPORT FOR REVERE TORNADO RELIEF EFFORTS

Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins (far left) joined Revere Mayor Dan Rizzo (at podium), U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (not shown) and Ed Markey (3rd from left), Senator Anthony Petruccelli (far right), Representative RoseLee Vincent, and former Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone (2nd from right) in the announcement for the creation of the Revere Tornado Relief Fund.

In a continuation of the sustained relief efforts given by members of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department in the wake of the destructive tornado that ripped through the City of Revere this past Monday morning, Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins joined Revere Mayor Dan Rizzo and U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, Senator Anthony Petruccelli, and State Representative RoseLee Vincent to announce the formation of the Revere Tornado Relief Fund.

Over the course of the past week, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department Community Works Program (CWP) crews were deployed to Revere to lend to the cleanup efforts around the city. Assisting with the removal of wreckage that included downed trees and limbs, shattered glass, bricks and wood dislodged from homes and commercial buildings, and other debris, a total of four CWP crews – consisting of a total of 24 inmates and four Department officers – have worked with city officials from Revere in whatever capacity has been needed.

“Sheriff Tompkins and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department have always been a great resource for the citizens of Revere whenever we’ve needed help, and members of his Department worked with us throughout the storm and beyond to assist in our cleanup efforts,” said Mayor Rizzo. “We look forward to having them continue working with us to help bring the City of Revere back up to full speed.”

For Sheriff Tompkins, providing aid to assist with the cleanup efforts in the tornado’s aftermath was something of a personal endeavor.

“The people of Revere have always been good to us at the Sheriff’s Department and Mayor Dan Rizzo has been a friend for a long while,” said Sheriff Tompkins. “When the tornado hit, we immediately reached out to offer whatever help we had to give to try and shoulder some of the load.”

According to Assistant Deputy Superintendent Heather McNeil, who oversees the Department’s CWP crews, the Department was able to lend a hand quickly because a crew had already been working on–site at City Hall when the tornado made landfall.

“Our first thoughts were about the safety of our crew and the residents of Revere,” said McNeil. “But, once the tornado passed, our crew was able to get back out and assist in the cleanup efforts before being joined by our other CWP units.”

Pledging continued support for as long as it may be needed, Sheriff Tompkins spoke about early signs of recovery.

“Revere is made up of some very resilient people,” said Sheriff Tompkins. “The tornado certainly took its toll, but already, the people have gotten back up and come together to begin the recovery in earnest. The formation of the Revere Tornado Relief Fund will be a great help in reestablishing normalcy and completing a full recovery. Until then, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department will continue to be there for the city and its residents.”

To aid in the recovery efforts, visit: www.reveretornadorelief.org.

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