Brick, NJ – The Township Council is expected to accept grants totaling $44,000 for police programs at tonight’s meeting.  The grants will fund police enforcement of seat belt laws, aggressive driving, pedestrian safety and underage alcohol purchases.

“I am thrilled that we received these grants,” said Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis.  “They will help our officers continue to make our community safe while lessening the burden for our taxpayers.”

The Township has received two grants.  The first grant is a Comprehensive Traffic Safety Grant from the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety.  The $32,000 grant is for Click It or Ticket seatbelt enforcement, aggressive driving enforcement and pedestrian safety enforcement and education.  This year, the three focus areas have been consolidated into one comprehensive grant program.  The grant monies will be used to pay for overtime details for officers and for education materials.

“This grant will allow officers to focus on making sure that people are following the rules of the road,” said Mayor Acropolis.  “We all share the roads.  Aggressive and dangerous driving puts everyone at risk and our officers are going to do everything they can to make the roads safe.”

The other grant is a $12,000 grant from the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control and will fund the Police Department’s Cops in Shops Program.  Plainclothes police officers will work in liquor stores to identify underage patrons who attempt to buy alcohol, people who buy alcohol for underage people and business owners who sell to underage patrons.  Plainclothes officers will also visit establishments that serve alcoholic beverage such as restaurants to identify underage patrons.

“If you are caught trying to buy alcohol, don’t even try giving an excuse.  None will be taken,” said Mayor Acropolis.

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