Two area police departments have come to the conclusion that the best defense against crime, other threats to personal safety, and public apathy is a good offense.
To that end, law enforcement agencies in Lowell and Billerica have employed that theme to formulate positive messages that hopefully will engender trust and understanding in the communities they serve.
In Lowell, police have targeted one specific group - teens and the public-health threat posed by the oftentimes lethal synthetic drug fentanyl.
Billerica police have reached out with a townwide campaign to boost engagement between officers and residents.
We all know that fentanyl - either alone or mixed with other illegal substances - constitutes the No. 1 overdose killer in both this state and the nation.
No demographic or walk of life can claim immunity to this insidious substance, including teenagers.
According to numbers released by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, that potent opioid has caused approximately 22 deaths per week in the 13 to 17 age group over the past year.
Two milligrams of fentanyl, about the amount that covers the tip of a pencil, can be enough to kill an average person.
So, to raise awareness about this issue, the LPD recently unveiled a flashy new cruiser, adorned with the warning, "One Pill Can Kill."
This initiative, part of the DEA's Operation Engage, aims to spread the word about the dangers of counterfeit pills, which can resemble legitimate prescription medications.
"These pills are fake, contain fentanyl, and can easily trick anyone purchasing drugs outside of a pharmacy," Lowell Police Superintendent Greg Hudon stated in a press release announcing the cruiser's rollout.
"The Lowell Police Department and the DEA urge residents of all ages to avoid using pills that do not come directly from a legitimate pharmacy with a legitimate prescription. If you do, you are risking your life with each and every tablet."
Designed in collaboration with the DEA, the cruiser will be driven by a school resource officer assigned to Lowell High School.
The DEA has warned that fentanyl, which they state is often smuggled into the U.S. by drug cartels, poses an urgent threat to communities. Recent DEA lab tests show that five out of 10 counterfeit pills seized contain a potentially fatal dose of fentanyl.
In statistics cited by Lowell police, the DEA has reported seizing over 78.4 million pills containing fentanyl in 2023, an increase from 58 million pills in 2022. Drug poisoning has become the leading cause of death among Americans 18 to 45, claiming 110,757 lives in the past year, with fentanyl involved in 70% of those deaths.
To learn more about the One Pill Can Kill campaign, or to find resources that can help parents talk to their kids about the issue, visit dea.gov/onepill.
In an effort to close that communication gap, Billerica's Police Department has launched a novel text-messaging program designed to keep residents informed and gather feedback after non-life-threatening interactions with officers.
"Much like private companies use tools to send automatic text message notifications, updates and satisfaction surveys to their customers, the Billerica Police Department is now able to do the same," Chief Roy Frost stated in a press release announcing its launch. "We expect that this new solution, PowerEngage, will drastically enhance communication with the citizens we serve."
Following an incident, residents, whose numbers are recorded during calls for service or in officer reports, will receive a text message within a few hours or days, inviting them to complete a brief survey about their experience. Citizens can share their comments and feedback, while giving them an opportunity to express their gratitude toward the responding officer.
Additionally, every citizen will be invited to participate and provide feedback through the survey, even if they have not received a text message.
Chief Frost said in the release that the survey will assist the department to improve quality control and ensure that officers perform their duties in a professional and courteous manner.
"At the same time, the software will allow residents to thank officers for positive interactions, and allow our department to push important information out to residents via text message," Frost added.
Residents who prefer not to participate can ignore the text message or contact the department in advance at 978-671-0900 to opt out permanently.
Additionally, replying "STOP" to any text will unsubscribe them from all future surveys.
Police also wanted to emphasize that this initiative isn't intended for reporting emergencies or crimes.
We applaud the BPD for taking this proactive step to foster better relations between the men and women in blue and the people they're sworn to serve and protect.
Sometimes we might forget that police aren't any different than the rest of us - they'd appreciate a compliment for a job well done, or accept criticism of their conduct as a way to improve their performance.