Swampscott budget cuts take toll on public safety programs

SWAMPSCOTT-An extremely popular summer event may not be held this year due to budget cuts at the state level.Police Chief Ronald Madigan said the annual public safety day is paid for with money from community policing grants and those funds may no longer be available.?Community policing funding has been cut,” he said. “My understanding is it was totally eliminated from the budget at the state level. As of right now we’re operating under the assumption that due to cuts we won’t be able to have the event.”In previous years highlights of the free, family orientated event, which was always well attended, included the landing of a Massachusetts State Police Air Wing helicopter, the Essex County Sheriff Dept. K-9 units, musical entertainment and numerous demonstrations. But Madigan said without community policing money the department could not hold the event, which is held in conjunction with the fire department.Madigan said in Fiscal Year ?08 the department received $47,000 for community policing and in FY ?09 it had dropped to $35,0000.?As it stands right now we’re not expecting any funds for FY ?10,” he said.Public safety day is not the only program that would be eliminated if the state does not give the town funds for community policing.On Thursday, students at Swampscott Middle School graduated from the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) and Madigan pointed out it could be the last class of students to participate in the program, which teaches students good decision making skills to help them avoid high-risk behavior.Ironically, President Barack Obama proclaimed April 8 as National DARE Day. “Today we honor DARE for its important work,” he said. “The efforts of DARE’s instructors and supporters benefit our nation’s children and are deserving of praise and appreciation.”But without state community policing funds Madigan, said DARE and other community programs would have to be eliminated.?We’ll have to cut DARE, extra bike patrols, extra traffic initiatives and programming in the schools,” he said.