Police have received $100,000 from the state to pay officers overtime to visit schools and mentor students.
The city’s legislative delegation announced that Lawrence is one of 27 Massachusetts communities that will receive funds from the Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program offered by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Office of Grants and Research (OGR).
The Lawrence Police Department will receive the money to help combat youth violence, delinquency prevention, school safety and/or youth engagement, according to the award.
A Police Department spokesman said this is the first time the Lawrence department has received this particular grant.
“The Lawrence Police Department is excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with Lawrence Public Schools to assist school-age children in fostering positive attitudes and behaviors that prevent drug abuse, bullying, and violence,” Lawrence Police Chief James X. Fitzpatrick said.
Sen. Barbara L’Italien, State Rep. Diana DiZoglio, State Rep. Frank Moran and State Rep. Marcos Devers, credited the Baker-Polito Administration and Secretary of Public Safety and Security Dan Bennett for Lawrence’s selection as a grant recipient.
“Putting police officers in the schools is a great way for them to build relationships with students and show teens that police are the good guys and here to help,” Sen. L’Italien said. “This is a great use of this grant and I believe it will have a positive impact in dissuading kids from drugs, gangs and other destructive behaviors and choices that jeopardize their chances of having successful and productive lives.”
“The Edward J. Burr Justice Assistance grants have made a significant impact on the communities they have touched and I look forward to being a part of the conversation to develop and facilitate effective ways we can combat youth violence in the city of Lawrence,” said Rep. Moran (D-Lawrence).
“I stand with my fellow colleagues in the Lawrence legislative delegation in celebrating the awarding of this Byrne Justice Grant to the Lawrence Police Department,” said Rep. DiZoglio said. “These funds will be immensely helpful to City law enforcement in addressing critical issues facing our community’s youth.
“I am pleased that the Lawrence Police Department will receive the grant to help combat youth violence,” said Rep. Devers (D-Lawrence). “It will greatly help our community. I commend the hard work of the men and women of the Lawrence Police Department in receiving this grant.”
The JAG program provides critical funding for cities and towns across the Commonwealth to support a range of program areas including law enforcement, prevention and education programs, corrections and community corrections, drug treatments and enforcement, crime victim and witness initiatives.
