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10-18-2023 12:21am
Westwood and Abutting Towns Receive Share of $5.4 Million in State Grants for Traffic Safety Enforcement, Outreach
Darlene Cancell
Editor
Westwood and five of six abutting towns are included in the group of 187 towns and cities in Massachusetts that requested and will be receiving a portion of $5.4 million in grant funds awarded to their police departments for traffic safety enforcement and outreach in FY24, announced the Massachusetts Office of Grants and Research (OGR), on Tuesday, October 17, 2023.
Every community that requested funding is receiving a grant, said Governor Maura Healey in a press release. “Whether by vehicle, bicycle or foot, everyone has the right to travel safely through our communities,” she said.
Amounts awarded to local police departments through the state's Municipal Road Safety Grant Program are listed, below:
Westwood P.D. $21,846.94
Canton P.D. $39,302.93
Dedham P.D. $22,768.98
Needham P.D. $33,000.38
Norwood P.D. $25,047.00
Walpole P.D. $39,956.00
“Tragically, the Covid-19 pandemic led to a secondary epidemic of increased traffic fatalities across the nation," said OGR Executive Director Kevin Stanton. "As we work toward reducing the number of crashes on Massachusetts roads, it’s imperative that agencies involved in this mission have the resources they need to protect road users,” he said.
“As a former mayor, I understand how important these grants are to ensuring safer streets in our neighborhoods,” said Lt. Governor Kimberley Driscoll. “Every community seeks to enhance the safety of their roadways, but each faces unique needs. This program provides cities and towns the flexibility to identify and invest in the traffic safety issues that are most pressing in their own communities.”
The Municipal Road Safety Grant Program is administered by the OGR and uses funds awarded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The annual program provides funding to municipal police departments that propose traffic safety projects in their communities. Projects may include high visibility enforcement patrols, road safety improvements like digital speed signs, pedestrian and bicyclist safety initiatives, and public outreach campaigns.
