Crime & Safety

Swampscott Police Department Awarded Grant to Enhance Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety

Here is one of five things to know about Swampscott today: Swampscott police was one of only 48 police departments to receive a bicyclist and walker safety grants.

1) Newsbit of the Day:

In an effort to make Swampscott a safer place for our pedestrians and bicyclists, the Swampscott Police Department will use a $3,000 grant provided by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. 

The funding is from $192,000 provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration specifically to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety.  Swampscott is one of 48 police departments to receive this grant.

Find out what's happening in Swampscottwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

From 2006 to 2011, 1544 pedestrians were injured in crashes and of those 375 sustained fatal injuries, according to the Massachusetts Traffic Records Analysis Center.

During that same time frame, 586 bicyclists were injured in crashes with 45 resulting in death. 

Find out what's happening in Swampscottwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Bicyclists and pedestrians are particularly vulnerable road users because they may not be immediately visible to drivers and unlike those in vehicles, nothing protects them from impact,” said Swampscott police Lt. Gary Lord. “All users need to learn to share the road safely and be mindful of one another and the law.  We’ll use the grant for education, enforcement and outreach we believe will help protect our pedestrians and cyclists from injuries and fatalities.”

The grants will fund targeted enforcement and decoy patrols. 

A combination of enforcement techniques will help the department analyze and crack down on drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists who do not share the road appropriately, putting themselves or others in danger.

The Swampscott Police Department, in partnership with EOPSS, recognizes that traffic crashes are preventable and is committed to using this grant to reduce the number of motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries involving pedestrians and bicyclists in Swampscott because any death or injury on our roadways is one too many. 

This article was submitted by Swampscott police.

2) Town and School Watch:

The Board of Selectmen meet at 7 at Town Hall and the School Committee meets at 7 at the high school. The School committee will be taking up proposed changes to graduation reuirements, to open campus and the interim superintendent's contract.

3) Swampscott Academics:

Stephanie Orloff was among over 900 students from Providence College who received undergraduate degrees during the College's Ninety-Fifth Commencement Exercises held on Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Stephanie Orloff, a resident of Swampscott, MA, graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in Marketing.

The Commencement address was delivered by The Very Reverend Robert Barron, creator and host of the Catholicism documentary series and founder of a global media ministry. He received an honorary doctorate in religious education. 

4) Weather Watch: 

Sunny, with a high near 68. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

5) School Watch


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