By Setarreh Massihzadegan
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

When the Hingham Police Department lost its chief unexpectedly this year, the Linden Ponds community banded together to bring one of his dreams to fruition.

Chief of Police Steven Carlson had wanted a police dog for the force, but he hadn’t obtained the funding. When the chief passed, the Linden Ponds community was compelled to honor the man who was well known and liked on campus by raising the money to buy the force a new dog.

Finding success together
Prompted by Beverly Stewart’s initial suggestion, fellow residents Sandra Peavey and Louise Stitt set up a schedule to collect donations from others who live at Linden Ponds.

“The people who live at Linden Ponds were a special concern to Chief Carlson,” Peavey says. “He gave personal attention to ensuring our security, and he arranged to bring the Hingham Citizens Police Academy to Linden Ponds so that our residents could participate without having to drive into town in the evening.”

In just 48 hours, the Linden Ponds community raised more than $4,200 to buy the Hingham police a dog, Axel.

“As soon as they found out what we were collecting for, if they didn’t have money with them, they went to their room and got money and brought it down,” Stitt recalls.

The money the Linden Ponds community raised paid not only for the new dog, but for his training too. Stitt says the police department has assured them that Axel will make an appearance on campus as soon as he completes training.

The police department sent the Linden Ponds community a letter of thanks, which remains on display for residents to read as they walk through the Fireside Lounge.

A familiar face
Chief Carlson was a familiar face on campus for his visits during the yearly charity toy drive and when he brought the Citizens Police Academy to the community.