Hingham Police Earn Two AAA Traffic Safety Awards

The Hingham Police Department earned a Silver Award from AAA Southern New England for their traffic education and enforcement programs. The department received an additional award recognizing 13 years without a pedestrian fatality. These awards were based on 2012 efforts.

A third award was presented to Officer Jeffrey Kilroy. Officer Kilroy, a member of Department’s Traffic Division, received the “Community Traffic Safety Hero of the Year” Award. He was selected based on his dedication to the areas of seat belt and child passenger seat safety throughout 2012. Besides enforcement of these life saving laws, he continuously hands out seat belt brochures to motorists and stresses their significance while teaching several Citizens Police Academy classes in Hingham.

The awards were presented on behalf of AAA Southern New England by John Paul, AAA Traffic Safety Manager and Diana Imondi Dias, AAA Traffic Safety Education Specialist to Police Chief Michael J. Peraino, Traffic Sgt. Steven Dearth and Officer Jeffrey Kilroy at an awards luncheon held on December 5 in Dedham.

The Silver Award reads “In Recognition of Outstanding Achievements in Traffic Safety and Your Continuing Efforts to Educate and Protect the Citizens of Hingham. AAA Salutes Your Commitment to Traffic Safety."

Specifically, AAA recognized the Hingham Police Department for their traffic safety community programs and efforts including: Designated Driver Program, Child Passenger Seat Installation Program, Gas Pump Buckle Up Reminder decals, creating an online pledge to be a Designated Driver during the holidays, conducting observational studies of seat belt use, working with the Hingham High School S.A.A.D. group, working with Hingham Senior Center by hosting AAA’s Older & Wiser Driver seminar, and enforcement efforts such as conducting a Sobriety Checkpoint with the State Police, several specific OUI Saturation Patrols throughout the year and participating in highway safety grant programs. 

In addition, AAA recognized and supported having an active Traffic Committee that meets monthly.

The awards are presented annually to community police departments that organize and implement traffic safety projects in their community. The individual Officer award is based on a nomination to AAA from Police Chief Michael Peraino.