April 2015
Monthly Archive
Updated information from the Granby Police Department
Monthly Archive
Posted by Sgt O on 15 Apr 2015 | Tagged as: general
On April 14, 2015 the Granby Police Department was notified that three of our officers would be receiving Save Awards from the Western Massachusetts Emergency Medical Services Committee, Inc. The officers, Patrolman Jason Richard, Patrolman Ryan Senecal and Patrolman Jeff Lawson, are being recognized for their part in a medical call in which they and ambulance personnel responded and helped resuscitate a resident in need. Great job!
Posted by Sgt O on 07 Apr 2015 | Tagged as: general
The Granby Police Department is excited to announce the department was awarded an Edward J. Byrne Memorial assistance grant in amount of $29,181. The grant will be used to purchase a new computer server and computers.
Posted by Sgt O on 02 Apr 2015 | Tagged as: general
The Granby Police Department will join the 191 eligible Massachusetts law enforcement agencies in the national U Drive. U Text. U Pay. mobilization to crack down on motorists who text while driving. The campaign, which combines traditional and innovative enforcement strategies, is funded by a federal grant administered through the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Highway Safety Division (EOPSS/HSD) from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). The mobilization begins April 10, 2015 and continues through May 1, 2015.
“Driving and texting is illegal and irresponsible. People who break our state’s texting law will be stopped and fined. If you drive and text, you will pay,”
Texting while driving was outlawed in Massachusetts effective September 30, 2010. Adult drivers who write, send, or read electronic messages or browse the Internet while driving face a $100 fine for a first offense – even if the vehicle is stopped in traffic. Juvenile operators are entirely prohibited from using mobile phones and other electronic devices while driving, including to make phone calls. The fine for a juvenile first offense is $100 and includes a 60 day license suspension and required completion of a driver attitudinal course.
These costly violations underscore the danger inherent in the use of electronic devices while driving. Nationally in 2013, there were 3,154 people killed and an estimated 424,000 people injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.
“Texting and driving requires motorists to take their eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, and mind off the task of driving. It creates the proverbial ‘perfect storm’ for a crash, and no one has the right to put another person’s life at risk like that.”
Posted by Sgt O on 02 Apr 2015 | Tagged as: general
The Granby Police Department was recently awarded a $4984.00 grant to combat underage drinking. The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Highway Safety Division (EOPSS/HSD) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is providing $505,000 in funding to 71 Massachusetts communities on a competitive basis with awards ranging from $4,200 to $15,000.
Funds support compliance checks for minors in bars, restaurants and retail locations; reverse stings and “Cops in Shops” programs; “shoulder tap” solicitations; surveillance patrols; and party patrols. Through a combination of these techniques, departments analyze and crack down on minors who seek to circumvent the law and people and businesses that enable them. Over the past three years, activities under this grant have resulted in 485 youth citations and 340 arrests. Citations were also issued to 413 adults, and 352 adult arrests were made across the Commonwealth.
Although it’s illegal in all 50 States for youth under age 21 to buy or drink alcohol, NHTSA reports that nationally in 2012, 28 percent of the underage drivers who were killed in crashes had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .01 or higher.
“Teens and parents need to be reminded that underage drinking is not a game. It’s deadly serious,” “Parents need to know that hosting a party where alcohol is served to minors is illegal and extremely dangerous for young people and the entire community. Parents should also know they will face all legal liabilities.”
Progress has been made in Massachusetts over the last several years. Violations for underage drinking decreased 41.5% from 2007 to 2011 and arrests of drivers under 18 for operating under the influence decreased 45.4% from 2006 to 2010.
“Despite this hopeful trend, more work needs to be done to further reduce underage drinking and driving. The Granby police department, in partnership with EOPSS/HSD and NHTSA 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 Granby because any loss of life or injury on our roadways is one too many.