Press Release

Subject: Traffic Grant Awards

Chief Douglas W. Mellis is pleased to announce the East Longmeadow Police Department was recently able to purchase $3000.00 dollars of speed enforcement equipment as a result of a larger grant award from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Highway Safety Grant Program.

The Department was able to purchase two state of the art hand held radar speed measuring devices as well as signage to alter motorists that radar units are in use. Chief Mellis stated “The signs will be posted in the areas where we experience the greatest number of speeding complaints and violations. The goal of our enforcement strategy is to reduce the number and severity of motor vehicle crashes. We hope to accomplish this through both education and enforcement efforts”.

The Department coordinates its efforts with Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Highway Safety Grant Program which schedules mobilization periods to make use of a multifaceted media campaign which serves to get the message out to encourage seat belt usage and warn of the dangers of both impaired and aggressive driving. 

            The East Longmeadow Police Department had participated in the Traffic Enforcement Grant program since June of 2003 and has received grant awards totaling $40,300.00.  These monies allow the department to supplement regular patrol shifts with additional personnel who are deployed with the specific purpose of traffic enforcement. This was the first year in which the department was eligible to receive additional monies for equipment purchases.

Officers  Jeffrey Niznik (L) and Joseph Barone show new equipment
Provided through the grant program .

Officer Stuart Strohman conducts radar enforcement recently on Hampden Rd near Mt. View School.