Police Receive $3,000 Grant to Increase Bike and Pedestrian Safety

The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security has granted more than 40 police departments with grants to increase safety for pedestrians and cyclists. 

The Danvers Police Department received $3,000. The money will be used to step up enforcement around cyclist and pedestrian traffic as well as purchase movable signs, reflective tape and other equipment to keep them safe. 

"Bicyclists and pedestrians are particularly vulnerable road users because they may not be immediately visible to drivers and unlike those in vehicles, nothing protects them from impact," said Chief of Police Neil Ouellette in an announcement.

"All users need to learn to share the road safely and be mindful of one another and the law. We'll use the grant for education, enforcement and outreach and we believe will help protect our pedestrians and cyclists from injuries and fatalities," he said. 

According to Massachusetts statistics from 2006 to 2011, 1,533 pedestrians were injured in crashes, 375 of them fatal injuries. During that same time frame, 586 cyclists were injured in accidents, 45 resulting in death. 

Danvers is one of 48 police departments to receive the grant, which came from $192,000 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.