Baker Awards Grants to Fitchburg, Leominster Police to Fight Opioid Abuse

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Thursday, April 06, 2017

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Governor Baker announced awards to seven police departments including Fitchburg and Leominster to fight heroin and opioid abuse. 

The Fitchburg Police Department will receive $49,881.15 to increase drug interdiction and investigation to identify sources of opiates. The officers will also take part in Street Level Narcotics training. 

“This department will use grant funds to focus limited resources on areas in which drug activity is occurring or likely to occur based on data and intelligence. Increased enforcement in hot spots for drug activity and other criminal activity associated with drugs will reduce drug traffic, property crime, violent crime, and may increase overall arrests,”  said Fitchburg Chief of Police Ernest F. Martineau.

The Leominster Police Department will receive $5,815.84 to hire a recover advocate to assist the department with wrap around services for addicts, as well as track individual cases to build stronger data and lower recidivism. 

Overall Awards 

Overall the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security will distribute over $250,000 in federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funds to local law enforcement departments of Gateway Cities who sent in a competitive proposal for financial assistance. 

“The heroin and opioid epidemic has shattered the lives of far too many Commonwealth families and our administration is committed to eradicating the epidemic at every level to support our communities and address this public health crisis. I am pleased that these grants will serve as another important tool to support our gateway cities from law enforcement investigations to critical treatment services,” said Governor Charlie Baker.   

The awards will assist law enforcement investigations, local drug prevention programs, and provide mental health and treatment wraparound services for those struggling with addiction.

Other Departments that are receiving grants are as follows: 

• Attleboro Police Department $49,920.00
• Brockton Police Department $50,000.00
• Fitchburg Police Department $49,881.15
• Leominster Police Department $45,815.84
• Quincy Police Department $44,760.00
• Salem Police Department $27,773.02
• Taunton Police Department $21,600.00

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