Town of Dunstable, MA

In response to inquiries concerning the Police Union's outside telemarketing campaign, the Dunstable Police Department wishes to inform residents that the Dunstable Police Union (New England Police Benevolent Association, Local 7) is a separate organization formed under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 150(E) and is not under the direction, supervision or management of the Town of Dunstable, Police Department. The decision to donate remains the sole decision of all informed citizens.

As a follow up to last month's business article, the police department will highlight several grants received by the Police Department. These grants have helped to keep costs down while providing an expansion of needed police services. The Police Department continually vets through private and public sector grant opportunities in order to supplement effective community policing programs. Without these grant opportunities, significant policing programs would not exist. The police department has a lengthy history of integrating grants into policing programs.

With a shortage of officers in the late 1990's, the Police Department received a federal"COPS" policing grant. This grant provided the seriously needed funding to eliminate gaps in police coverage. Funding was provided over a three year period with minimal expense to the town.

Over more recent years, the Police Department has engaged in a strategy to utilize grant funding to invest in the professional development of our staff. Clearly, this effort has minimized local costs. With specialized training, the community receives the individual services of highly trained professionals who remain known to the community they serve. As community stakeholders, our patrol officers possess specialized detective skills in areas of crime scene photography, fingerprints, evidence collections and criminal investigation. With minimal local funding for professional development, these services would have not been possible. Professional development remains a cornerstone in providing competent, effective police services.

In addition, the Police Department has utilized community policing grants to procure necessary police equipment. This equipment has been implemented to support the agencies expanding public safety role while providing no direct costs to the local taxpayer. The Department acquired a speed trailer to encourage voluntary speed compliance on our busy roadways. An aging radar unit was replaced to allow officers the ability to better monitor speed limits.

At no cost to the town, the Police Department received a grant to acquire digital photography equipment to be used in conjunction with other investigative tools. With the threat of natural disaster and terrorism, the Police Department received a light trailer, portable shelter and emergency blankets. This grant was provided through the North East Homeland Security. Several of these pieces of equipment have proven invaluable to the department during emergencies and/or special events.

Hopefully, this article has provided you with greater understanding as to how the department has attempted to manage local costs while continuing to provide efficient, professional police services during fiscally challenging times.

Wishing all well and a healthy start to the New Year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Emergency 9-1-1, Business 978 649 7445

James G. Downes III
Chief of Police