Newburyport Police Department Improves Response Capabilities with Grant-Funded Purchase of New Utility Task Vehicle

NEWBURYPORT — The Newburyport Police Department improved its response capabilities by purchasing a utility task vehicle with a $30,000 grant from the Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.

The department’s new Can-Am side-by-side utility task vehicle (UTV), is an off-road vehicle designed to carry two to six passengers into rugged terrain. 

The UTV will expand the department’s ability to reach areas like Plum Island beaches, Maudsley State Park and Moseley Woods, and it will provide the department an additional tool to use during search and rescue incidents.

The vehicle will also be used for special events like parades, road races, and downtown events. 

The department was able to purchase the vehicle thanks to a $30,000 grant from the Edward J. Byrne Memorial JAG Program, administered by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Office of Grants & Research (OGR). The JAG program provides seed money to support law enforcement with a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime and emergencies. 

“We are grateful to the Commonwealth and OGR for providing this grant money that will expand our ability to respond to both emergencies and community events,” said City Marshal Matthew Simons. “This vehicle will improve our ability to provide timely assistance and public safety services throughout the community.  I am also thankful to Sgt. Jason Kohan and Lt. Gregory Whitney for the amount of time they spent researching and procuring this asset for our department.”