FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, May 9, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Melrose Police Receive Grant to Enhance Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety

MELROSE — Chief Michael L. Lyle is pleased to announce that the Melrose Police Department recently received a grant to improve traffic safety on local roads for pedestrians and bicyclists.

The grant is administered by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Office of Grants and Research – Highway Safety Division.

The $5,502.81 grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be used to pay for overtime enforcement to increase traffic law compliance by all road users. The Melrose Police Department is also eligible to purchase equipment to enhance the visibility of crosswalks and to buy bicycle helmets.

With nearly 6,000 pedestrians killed in 2016 across the country, pedestrians now account for a larger proportion (16 percent) of traffic fatalities than they have in the past 33 years. In Massachusetts, that rate is even higher, with pedestrians representing more than 20 percent of all traffic fatalities. Nationally, bicyclists are also dying at a higher rate. In 2016, 840 individuals were killed on the roads–the highest number of fatalities since 1991.

“We are pleased to receive this grant which will help us keep the community safe,” said Chief Lyle. “The change of seasons means more pedestrians and bicyclists are out on the roads and we want to minimize accidents so that all people can get to where they need to be without any problems.”

Melrose was one of 84 police departments to receive part of the $375,000 in funding specifically provided to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety in the Commonwealth.

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