Jack Encarnacao, The Patriot Ledger (Quincy, MA)

QUINCY – The bedbugs were biting, but Quincy police believe they have neutralized the suspect.

After two sergeants noticed what they thought were flea bites on their skin, the police department hired an exterminator Monday to seek the culprit.

The exterminator found bedbugs in the headrest of a chair the sergeants used in the communications room. The chair was thrown out and the area was treated.

“It was isolated to that one spot,” Capt. John Dougan said. “We don’t know how it got here. You can get them anywhere. There’s multiple sergeants that go in there. It may not even have been from a sergeant.”

A lieutenant sent out an internal memo Monday urging officers to take precautions.

“According to the Inspector, the probability of any other chair in the room being infected is remote; although the inspection is ongoing,” Lt. Charles Santoro wrote. “They have treated the room. If you believe you have been bitten please seek medical treatment, and contact the Chief’s Office. We have been told that ‘bed bugs’ are not a result of food. They are usually brought in from the outside.”

The communications center, which handles 911 calls, saw no disruptions as a result of the discovery, Dougan said. 

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