More government subsidies are being awarded to the area police for improvements in road safety

Tewksbury, Tyngsboro and Townsend police departments are the latest local agencies to announce they have received state grants, totaling $82,662, aimed at improving traffic safety.

Tewksbury police received $39,447, Tyngsboro police $24,803, while Townsend police received $18,412 through the Municipal Road Grant Program.

Tewksbury Police Chief Ryan Columbus said some of the funding will be used to pay for 24 local teen drivers to attend a crash prevention course through the nonprofit In Control Family Foundation. The Crash Prevention 101: Introduction to Crash Prevention course teaches drivers about year-round road hazards through a combination of classroom lessons, group exercises and one-on-one driving instruction.

In addition, the funding for the Tewksbury Police Department will be used to purchase a new pole-mounted speed radar sign and data tracking device. According to the department, the funds will also pay out overtime throughout the year to six targeted campaigns targeting poor performance, seat belt enforcement, distracted driving and speeding.

Tyngsboro Acting Police Chief Shaun Woods announced that his department will allocate $16,613 to fund traffic safety overtime and $8,189 to purchase traffic safety equipment, including speedometers and mounted control signs.

Woods stated that the funds will allow the department to “address critical traffic safety issues through enforcement initiatives, community outreach and the purchase of essential safety equipment at no cost to the residents of Tyngsboro.”

“By focusing on poor driving, distracted driving and seat belt compliance through campaigns such as Click it or Ticket and the winter and summer speed enforcement initiatives, we aim to reduce the number of traffic-related incidents and save lives,” said Woods.

Townsend Police Chief James Sartell stated that the department plans to use their funding to purchase traffic control and enforcement equipment, including radar units, and to conduct additional patrols. These patrols will focus on impaired and distracted driving, seat belt compliance, speed enforcement and pedestrian and cyclist safety.

In total, the Healey-Driscoll administration has awarded more than $12.4 million through the Municipal Road Safety, State Agency Traffic Safety and Underserved Community Traffic Safety Grant programs.

The funding announcement follows recent news that the Lowell Police Department received $60,000 as part of the grant program, while the Chelmsford Police Department received $26,651.

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