DECEMBER 26, 2018 BY BENJAMIN PAULIN (EDIT)
Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018
Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-742-3922
Email: ben@jgpr.net
Plymouth County Outreach Shares 2018 Success Stories
The Police Chiefs of Plymouth County are pleased to share some of the successes that Plymouth County Outreach (PCO) had in 2018 and look forward to what lies ahead for next year.
“This has been a fantastic year for PCO as far as growth and recognition on a local and national level,” East Bridgewater Police Chief Scott Allen said. “Our outreach officers and recovery coaches have worked hard all year to successfully get treatment and care for dozens of people. Our countywide model for dealing with the opioid crisis has developed a proven track record of success and I know all of the chiefs look forward to seeing what next year brings.”
Outreach Team Successes
The PCO Outreach Team consists of recovery coaches and outreach officers who respond to the home of an overdose survivor within 24-72 hours of the event taking place. Together, they bring resources and offer support to the individual that overdosed and their family.
PCO would like to share several individual success stories that were received via outreach officers, recovery coaches and various partners throughout the year.
To read some of the success stories click here. (Click link to read full PDF file)
Plymouth County Outreach Honored With National Community Policing Award (Click link to read more)
Plymouth County Outreach (PCO) was awarded the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Leadership in Community Policing Award in October.
Several PCO representatives traveled to Orlando, Florida to accept the award during the 2018 IACP Annual Conference and Exposition – including many Plymouth County police chiefs, District Attorney Timothy Cruz and Sheriff Deputy Superintendent James Muscato.
The Leadership in Community Policing Award recognized outstanding community policing initiatives undertaken by law enforcement agencies across the world. The award is given to police agencies whose best practices in community policing utilize collaboration and partnerships to make their communities safer.
Plymouth County Outreach to Receive $500,000 Federal Grant (Click link to read more)
In October, Plymouth County Outreach was awarded a federal grant that will significantly improve the services provided by the group in the coming years.
PCO will receive a $496,650 grant as part of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) Program through the U.S. Department of Justice.
The award was among the first major federal funding grants to go toward substance use disorder treatment and recovery legislation, with the aim of addressing the ongoing opioid epidemic.
The funds, which will be dispersed over the next two years, will allow PCO to hire two full-time staff members – a Project Coordinator and an Operations Supervisor. In addition, the money will enable PCO to improve its Critical Incident Management System database, which tracks the number of overdoses in the region and allows for research and detailed analysis of the data collected to be studied by PCO’s treatment and healthcare partners.
Plymouth County Outreach Continues Participation in AmeriCorps Program (Click link to read more)
PCO announced in August that it was going to be participating for a second year in the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (P.A.A.R.I) AmeriCorps program, and would be adding a second outreach coordinator position.
PCO is continuing its partnership with Outreach Coordinator Vicky Butler and Recovery Coaches Kurt Gerold and Sloane Ferenz. The three were recognized for their work in August by P.A.A.R.I at the Arlington Police Department’s first AmeriCorps graduation ceremony.
Plymouth County Outreach Featured in National Policing Magazine (Click link to read more)
In March, PCO was featured in the March issue of The Police Chief Magazine (Click link to read more)
The nationally distributed magazine is a product of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The entire March issue was dedicated to the topic of current issues involving drugs.
The 3,700-word article entitled “Leading a Community Solution to a Community Problem” provides an in-depth look at the opioid epidemic that local law enforcement has been addressing for more than a decade. It highlights the tactics, partnerships and ongoing efforts to find solutions that help save lives and offer substance users the help and recovery options they need.
“I think this year has proven that our community and partnership-based approach to the opioid epidemic can provide avenues for people to get the help they so desperately need. Plus, it gives support for family members and loved ones who are at times at a loss for how to help their son, daughter or relative,” Plymouth Police Chief Michael Botieri said. “On behalf of all of the chiefs, we would like to give a heartfelt thank you to the recovery and outreach workers that made PCO a success in 2018.”
About Plymouth County Outreach:
Plymouth County Outreach is a collaborative of police departments throughout Plymouth County led by the following chiefs: Abington Chief David Majenski, Bridgewater Chief Christopher Delmonte, Bridgewater State University Chief David Tillinghast, Brockton Chief John Crowley, Brockton Police Lt. Richard Linehan, Carver Chief Marc Duphily, Duxbury Chief Matthew Clancy, East Bridgewater Chief Scott Allen, Halifax Chief Ted Broderick, Hanover Chief Walter Sweeney, Hanson Chief Michael Miksch, Hingham Chief Glenn Olsson, Hull Chief John Dunn, Kingston Chief Maurice Splaine, Lakeville Chief Frank Alvihiera, Marion Chief John Garcia, Marshfield Chief Phillip Tavares, Mattapoisett Chief Mary Lyons, Middleboro Chief Joseph Perkins, Norwell Chief Ted Ross, Pembroke Chief Richard Wall, Plymouth Chief Michael Botieri, Plympton Chief Patrick Dillon, Rochester Chief Robert Small, Rockland Chief John Llewellyn, Scituate Chief Michael Stewart, Wareham Chief John Walcek, West Bridgewater Chief Victor Flaherty and Whitman Chief Scott D. Benton.
###
