RANDOLPH — Chief Anthony Marag is pleased to share that the Randolph Police Department received $49,947.07 in grant funds through the Edward J. Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.
The grant funding, allocated by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Office of Grants and Research (OGR), was awarded to law enforcement agencies statewide to address public safety priorities.
The Randolph Police Department will use the grant funding to make ballistic shields readily available to officers during circumstances that are tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving. The shields will be integrated into the department’s ongoing and progressive training to address active shooter situations.
The ballistic shields will provide officers with an additional resource during emergency situations to stabilize, de-escalate and evacuate victims if needed. The shields will also provide officers with the ability to maneuver into closer proximity of armed individuals in crisis, providing an opportunity to de-escalate and slow down an incident while additional specialty resources are responding to the scene (Crisis Negotiators, Mental Health Specialists, etc.). This will reduce response time and improve the likelihood of a more successful outcome.
Nearly $5 million in funds was awarded to 130 police departments across the state to address specific priority areas such as unlawful drug use, domestic violence, gun violence, missing person cases, and hate crimes. The grant also funded projects related to technology upgrades, investigative tools and protective gear, school safety and security, and efforts to advance racial equity and support underserved communities.
“This program invests federal funds to make Massachusetts communities safer and stronger,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “This program allows towns and cities to identify their most pressing needs and direct funding to address those challenges. The ability of local public safety leaders to guide funds toward priority safety initiatives encourages a holistic approach to improving safety in communities with diverse needs.”
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