State Awards Medway PD "Justice Grant."

Above, Medway Police Chief William Kingsbury: "will be used to expand and improve real-time public safety emergency response capabilities."

"State Representative Michael J. Soter announced today that the five communities within his district—Bellingham, Blackstone, Millville, Medway, and Uxbridge—have been awarded a combined total of $102,338 through the Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. Medway Police Department is receiving$18,000.

Medway Police Chief William Kingsbury also underscored the transformative potential of the grant. “We are excited that the Medway Police Department has received a technology grant through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Program,” said Kingsbury. “The funds awarded will be used to expand and improve real-time public safety emergency response capabilities, as well as to enhance our investigative capabilities. I want to thank Governor Maura Healey, Secretary Susan Terry, and our legislative delegation, including Senator Karen Spilka and Representatives Mike Soter and Jeff Roy, for their support of this program.”

The JAG Program, which is administered in Massachusetts by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's Office of Grants & Research (OGR), provides critical funding and seed money to support a broad range of activities aimed at preventing and controlling crime based on local needs and conditions. These funds will be used by the local police departments to support areas such as law enforcement, prevention and education programs, and technology improvement programs.

Representative Soter emphasized the critical importance of these funds in supporting local public safety operations. “Bringing home over $102,000 in assistance for our local police departments is a major victory for our district,” said Soter. “This funding ensures that Bellingham, Blackstone, Millville, Medway, and Uxbridge can invest directly in the specialized equipment, technology, and prevention efforts necessary to enhance public safety, without imposing a burden on local taxpayers.”

Other local police chiefs across the district echoed Soter’s remarks, highlighting the meaningful impact this funding will have on their departments and communities. Bellingham Police Chief Ken Fitzgerald expressed his gratitude, stating, “We’re grateful to the Office of Grants and Research and to Representative Soter for their support through the Byrne JAG program. Thanks to Sgt. Mark Auld’s strong grant work, this award funds a critical capital item that strengthens our service to residents—while doing so in a fiscally responsible way that reduces long-term costs for Bellingham taxpayers.”

Blackstone Police Chief Gregory Gilmore noted the direct benefits the funding will bring to his department, saying, “We are extremely pleased to be awarded the JAG grant here in the Town of Blackstone for use by the Blackstone Police Department. The department will utilize the funds for programs that will have a direct impact on public safety for our residents. We thank Representative Soter for his hard work in supporting our efforts to secure this much needed funding.”