2016 Community Engagement Events
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Task Force Meeting
24 Long Pond Road, Plymouth, MA
Members of the Plymouth County Drug Abuse Task Force met to discuss recent accomplishments.The Task Force discussed the expansion of the Outreach Drop In Centers, the new challenges that are facing law enforcement with the legalization of Marijuana, the results of Chapter 55, and the Adverse Childhood Experiences (A.C.E.S) Study: Helping Traumatized Children Learn and Succeed.
With the statistics gathered by the A.C.E.S. Study, The District Attorney is working with schools in our county to train individuals on how to respond to a child who has experienced a trauma-related incident outside of school.
The two Outreach Drop In Centers, which provide resources for Substance Use Disorders are up and running. The EB Hope Outreach Drop In Center is open every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, from 5 pm to 9 pm at the Community Covenant Church, 400 Pleasant Street, East Bridgewater, MA and the Project Outreach Drop In Center is open every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, from 5 pm to 9 pm at The New Hope Chapel, 89 Court Street, Plymouth, MA
The Plymouth County Drug Abuse Task Force is a cooperative effort between District Attorney Tim Cruz and Sheriff Joe McDonald. Task force members are experts in their fields of Public Safety, Education, Medicine, Legislation, Community Coalitions, Faith Based Coalitions and Data.
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Operation Safe Streets- December 2016
Arnone School, 135 Belmont Street, Brockton, MA
The Operation Safe Streets Task Force hosts regular community meetings to discuss public safety concerns within the city of Brockton. The community meetings help to keep the communication channels open between law enforcement and area residents.
The meetings offer the public the opportunity to speak directly to law enforcement leaders from: The Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, The Massachusetts State Police Department, The Brockton Police Department, The U.S. Attorney’s Office, The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
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Plympton Carver TRIAD Annual Holiday Luncheon
Plympton-Carver TRIAD
The Plympton Carver TRIAD’s 11th Annual Holiday Luncheon was held on December 14, 2016 at the Upland Sportsman’s Club in Plympton. District Attorney Tim Cruz was invited to address the TRIAD about Public Safety Issues. -
Down Addiction Avenue
EBCTV-East Bridgewater High School
District Attorney Tim Cruz was an invited guest on EB HOPE’s local cable show, “Down Addiction Avenue”. The EBCTV show is hosted by East Bridgewater’s Police Chief Scott Allen.Additional guests included: Dr. Dan Muse of Signature Healthcare and Brockton’s Stephen Marciano. The topic of discussion is the Opioid crisis and the Marciano’s family tragedy.
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The Children’s Advocacy Center Room Dedications
District Attorney Tim Cruz dedicated two rooms at the CAC in honor of two employees who worked tirelessly for families in need.The Michelle A. Crossen Forensic Interview Room and the Maureen Sullivan Waiting Room were dedicated during a remembrance ceremony in both of their honor on December 8, 2016.
Relatives and friends of both Michelle and Maureen were in attendance.
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Corrections Officer Academy
Bridgewater State University
On November 22, 2016, District Attorney Timothy Cruz joined Sheriff Joseph McDonald at Bridgewater State University to swear in the recent graduating class of the Corrections Officer Academy. -
Opioid Overdose Investigation Meeting
Sheriff's Department, 24 Long Pond Road, Plymouth
District Attorney Tim Cruz and Sheriff Joe McDonald brought together members of the local police departments and State Police Detectives to analyze and share intelligence on Opioid Overdoses in Plymouth County. -
Bridgewater Public Safety Luncheon for Seniors
Olde Scotland Links Golf Course, Bridgewater, MADistrict Attorney Timothy Cruz, Sheriff Joseph McDonald and State Representative Angelo D’Emilia hosted the Annual Bridgewater Public Safety Luncheon for Seniors.Approximately 100 seniors turned out for the event, and received a packet filled with valuable information.
Topics of discussion included:
♦ the Current Opioid Crisis
♦ the Safe Disposal of Medications
♦ The File of Life Program
♦ Current Scams
♦ Identity Theft
♦ Code Red
♦ The Safety Assurance ProgramThe event was held at the Olde Scotland Links. The Thanksgiving Day dinner was provided by the Barrett family.
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PhotoVoice Documentary
Bridgewater State University
PhotoVoice is a qualitative research method that puts cameras in the hands of its participants.Each week, participants were given a question that they were expected to answer through their photography.
Upon their return each week, students were asked to reflect upon their photography and their thoughts related to the questions, in a focus group setting. Quotes were then derived from those reflection groups to go along with the photography. This not only gave young people an opportunity for non-traditional drug education, but also a chance to share their voice in issues where they are not often heard.
Due to the overwhelming positive response received from these projects, a documentary was filmed that captures the PhotoVoice process and the youth’s perspective on their experience.
This documentary was produced by Brockton’s own award winning Noube Productions and the Brockton Area Opioid Abuse Prevention Collaborative.
Filming took place from July 11 to July 15 within Brockton, Whitman-Hanson and Rockland where six individuals from previous PhotoVoice projects shared their experience. This documentary can now be utilized as a prevention tool for youth in the region.
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Hopeline Cell Phone Drive for Domestic Violence
In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, The Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office conducted a HopeLine Cell Phone drive.Cell Phones were collected at the District Attorney’s Office as well as local Police Departments.
The Verizon Wireless HopeLine® program collects no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories in any condition from any wireless service provider through phone drives and at Communications Stores nationwide. Phones that can be refurbished are sold and those without value are disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.
Proceeds are used to provide wireless phones, air time and cash grants to local shelters and non-profit organizations that focus on domestic violence prevention and awareness.
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Plympton-Carver Triad visit to the Plymouth County Farm & Horticultural Center
Sheriff Joe McDonald invited the members of the Plympton-Carver Triad to visit the Plymouth County Farm and Horticultural Center.The Triad Members were treated to lunch, a tour of the Horticultural Center, the Petting Zoo and a hayride tour around the County Farm.
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National Drug Take Back Day
Got Drugs?October 22, 2016 is National Drug Take Back Day in Massachusetts.
Safely dispose of any unwanted prescription or over the counter medications free of charge.
Med Return drop boxes are located in the lobby of every police department in Plymouth County. Including the lobbies of the Campus Police Departments at:
Bridgewater State University, Stonehill College and Massasoit Community College.The drop boxes are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Disposal is completely anonymous.
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Greater Brockton Area Task Force on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence
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Domestic Violence Awareness Day
The Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office participated in the Domestic Violence Awareness Day, which was held on October 17, 2016 in the Student Union at Massasoit Community College.Representatives from our office were on hand to offer resources and information.
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Annual Public Safety Luncheon for Seniors
The Annual Public Safety Luncheon for Seniors was held on Thursday, October 13, 2016 at the Conference Center at Massasoit.District Attorney Tim Cruz was joined by Sheriff Joe McDonald, Director of Elder Services for the Plymouth Council on Aging-Conni DiLeggo, , and Assistant District Attorney Shanan Buckingham. Seniors from communities all across Plymouth County were invited to attend.
The topic for this year’s luncheon was the Opioid Crisis.
Presentations were given on:
♦ The creation and accomplishments of the Plymouth County Drug Abuse Task Force
♦ The implementation and success of the Plymouth County Prescription Medication Disposal Program
♦ The Section 35 unit at the County Jail
♦ Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
♦ Safeguarding your medications -
MAWLE Annual Conference
The 13th Annual Massachusetts Association of Women in Law Enforcement, (MAWLE) conference was held on October 11, 2016 at Stonehill College. The theme of this year’s conference was “Survival and Resilience”.The Keynote Speaker for this event was Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito.
Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, District Attorney Tim Cruz
and Members of the Massachusetts State Police -
Annual Underaged Drinking & Substance Use Prevention Conference
The 6th annual Underaged Drinking & Substance Use Prevention Conference took place on September 28, 2016 at Lombardo’s in Randolph.The theme of this year’s conference was “The Power of Coalitions: Acknowledging Differences & Raising Awareness to Reduce Stigma”.
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Lakeville Public Safety Fair
The Lakeville Council on Aging hosted a Public Safety Fair on September 27, 2016. The District Attorney’s Office participated to offer valuable information and resources to the seniors in the Lakeville community. -
Hanover Public Safety Fair
The Hanover TRIAD hosted their annual Public Safety Fair on September 23, 2016 at the Hanover Council on Aging. There were many vendors present who offered information and resources to the Seniors in the Hanover community.