Information courtesy of the Northborough Police Department
Law enforcement, traffic safety stakeholders and local “traffic safety heroes” came together to recognize outstanding achievements at the annual AAA Southern New England Community Traffic Safety Awards luncheon, held Nov. 20 at the Beechwood Hotel in Worcester.
AAA Southern New England recognized communities throughout Worcester County with National awards for the quality of their traffic safety education and enforcement programs. Gold Awards were presented to Holden and Hudson, MA. Silver Awards to Douglas, Northborough, Sturbridge and Grafton, and a Bronze Awards to West Boylston.
Accepting Northborough’s Silver Award on behalf of the town were Chief of Police Mark Leahy and Senior Sgt. James Bruce. Police Chiefs were also asked to nominate a “Community Traffic Safety Hero,” an individual who demonstrates commitment to safeguarding citizens; Northborough’s Community Traffic Safety Hero for 2012 was Susan Whitten, principal of the Marion E. Zeh School. Whitten has been a tireless advocate of Safe Routes to School efforts, organizing “bike and walk to school days” and special events to promote healthy living and student safety.
The school and police department have collaborated to support these efforts and educate students on pedestrian and bike safety. AAA’s Traffic Safety Manager, John F. Paul said, “Northborough should be applauded for their effort to enforce traffic laws and educate the community’s most vulnerable and youngest citizens. It is ideal for schools and police departments work collaboratively to teach pedestrian safety; these are skills that last a lifetime!”