Peabody Drug Case Goes Before Massachusetts High Court: Patch PM

PEABODY, MA —It's Thursday, August 6. Here's what Patch has been covering on the North Shore and across Massachusetts today.

Can the police install surveillance cameras and train them on your home without getting a warrant? Probably not, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court said in a ruling Thursday, even though other courts have previously said it's okay. The case stems from a May 2018 drug bust that involved DEA agents, as well as police from Lynn and Peabody.

"[T]argeted long-term pole camera surveillance of the area surrounding a residence has the capacity to invade the security of the home," the court said. "If the home is a 'castle,' a home that is subject to continuous, targeted surveillance is a castle under siege."

The court was asked to rule on whether investigators should have obtained warrants before installing video cameras on utility poles and trained them on Swampscott Avenue home in Peabody and four locations in Lynn. Evidence from those cameras was used to build probably cause for the bust, which ended with the arrests of 13 people and the seizure of more than two pounds of heroin and fentanyl and 2,400 oxycodone pills, as well as $415,000 in cash. (Read more).

Also on the North Shore today:

Challengers Attack Moulton's Record With Pelosi In Second Debate

Wednesday night's debate was a lot like Sunday's debate, with the two challengers in next month's Democratic primary once again attacking three-term U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton's record and his attempts to oust Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House. "Pelosi has clearly moved beyond this leadership fight. I've moved beyond it," Moulton said. "The only people who want to drag us backward into it are my opponents."

Salem Teachers: 'No Safe Way' To Reopen Schools In September

The union representing public school teachers in Salem is urging the school committee to start the school year with a remote-learning plan. The school committee is scheduled to vote on a reopening plan on Monday, the last day school districts can submit their plans to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The board will release its recommendation and listen to public comment during a meeting scheduled for Thursday.

Related story: Swampscott Will Start School Year With Distance Learning

Across Massachusetts:

3 Saugus Police Officers Stabbed, Suspect Arrested

Steven Sossong, 43, of Saugus, was arrested by the officers after authorities said he stabbed them with an unidentified sharp weapon. He has been charged with three counts of attempted murder, with additional charges expected. The officers are expected to survive.

Also today:

• Nearly 2 Months Later, No Arrests In Sex Assault Case
• MA's First Smartflowers 'Bloom' At Assembly Row
• Latest Town-By-Town Coronavirus Cases In Massachusetts

Dave Copeland covers the North Shore for Patch. He can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).