Norwell Police Department Launches Statewide High-Visibility
Click It or Ticket Enforcement Mobilization

Massachusetts is Serious about Saving Lives through Seat Belt Use

Norwell, MA –In our continuing effort to save lives, the Norwell police department, in partnership with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s (EOPSS) Highway Safety Division (HSD), the State Police and over 120 other local departments, is launching a high-visibility seat belt enforcement mobilization called Click It or Ticket. The message is simple: Massachusetts drivers and passengers should always wear their seat belts or be prepared to face the consequences.

During the “Click It or Ticket” mobilization, which runs from May 14th through June 3rd, thousands of extra state and local police will patrol the state’s streets and highways in a concerted effort to promote and enforce seat belt use with the ultimate goal of saving lives.

Many departments across the state have adopted zero-tolerance policies for seat belt violations signaling the increasing importance of seat belt use. In fact, if pulled over, everyone in the car found not wearing a seat belt will be ticketed.

“Too many people still have reckless attitudes expecting that crashes will never happen to them,” said Deputy Chief Suurhans. “Unfortunately these tragedies can and do happen every day. The best protection against death or injury is a seat belt.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), based on known usage, 49 percent of the people killed in passenger motor vehicle crashes in Massachusetts during 2010 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.

“A lot of people shrug off the statistics because they see themselves as good drivers,” said Deputy Chief Suurhans, “but they forget that they can get hurt because of other reckless drivers. Your best defense is to buckle up.”

Seat belt use can be the difference between life and death. It is the best defense in a crash. Remember to Buckle Up, Every Trip, Every Time.

For more information, please visit www.mass.gov/highwaysafety.
 

Norwell Police Awarded Grant
to Combat Underage Drinking 

Norwell, MA - Today the Norwell police department announced that it will receive $3,935.12 from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) as one of 31 grants to local police departments to combat underage drinking. EOPSS awarded $217,000 in U.S. Dept. of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention funds were awarded by on a competitive basis; grants varied between $5,000 and $15,000 based on the size of the community.

“There are many tools to combat underage drinking, and this grant provides much needed funding to target the problem,” said Deputy Chief Suurhans. “Whether you are underage, plan to sell to a minor, or buy alcohol for a minor, we will be on the look out.”
 

The grants will fund a variety of law enforcement activities including: stings/compliance checks in bars, restaurants and retail locations; reverse stings; “shoulder tap” and “Cops in Shops” programs; and party patrols. Through a combination of these techniques, departments will be able to analyze and crack down on both minors who seek to circumvent the law and those people and businesses that allow them to. Activities under this grant in last year led to 217 youth citations and 189 arrests, and 87 adult citations and 64 arrests across the Commonwealth.

“Teens and parents need to be reminded that underage drinking is deadly serious,” said Deputy Chief Suurhans. “Parents need to know that hosting a party where alcohol is served to minors is both illegal and extremely dangerous for the minors, for others in the community, and for the parents themselves, given the legal liabilities they face.”

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2009 nationwide, 33% of 15- to 20-year-olds killed in crashes had a blood alcohol content of .01 or higher. Compounding the problem, drivers who have been drinking are also less likely to use restraints. Also in 2009 nationwide, 60% of young drivers of passenger vehicles involved in fatal crashes who had been drinking were unrestrained. Of the young drivers who had been drinking and were killed in crashes, 70% were unrestrained. 

Any loss or injury on our roadways is one too many. The Norwell 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 in Norwell. 

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 Congratulations To Our Participating Norwell Restraurants That Support Our Designated Driver Program 

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We wish to extend a sincere thank you to Officer Tim O’Brien, who voluntarily took ownership of this program. He was responsible for fostering cooperation by educating the area establishments and is also serving as the Department liaison. Chief Ross and Officer O’Brien are encouraged that this program will promote continued dialog between the Norwell Police and local establishments in a sincere effort to prevent drunken driving tragedies.

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