Stoughton Schools Awarded Operation Graduation Grant Money

From the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:

Norfolk DA Michael Morrissey has just disbursed more than $7,000 to local schools to support substance-free prom and graduation events across Norfolk County – including Needham.

“The amount of work our communities put into pre-prom and post-prom parties, and safe graduation parties, is enormous,” District Attorney Morrissey said. “We offer $300 grants to support either or both. It is far from covering the tab, but it is a tangible way of saying that law enforcement understands and supports what you are doing.”

The Motor Vehicle Homicide Unit in Morrissey’s Office responds to roughly one fatal crash each week, according to the DA, and most of those crashes involve drivers who have been drinking or using drugs. Towns can use the grants for a variety of expenses, including directly funding transportation to and from prom or graduation events.

“There are plenty of kids looking to take the safe path on prom night and graduation night. These kinds of events make it easier for them to do so,” Morrissey said. “Without question, these events prevent some impaired driving and some incidents of kids getting in the car driven by someone impaired. Prevent impaired driving and you prevent the crashes that end in injury or worse.”

Stoughton was awarded two $300 grants, for prom and graduation events.

The grants are drawn from monies ordered forfeited by a judge in the context of drug prosecutions and designated by statute to be used by the District Attorney for crime prevention purposes.