Events 2010


Law Enforcement
Identity Theft Summit


June 17, 2010

The Plymouth Police Department along with the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association and LifeLock, presented a one day summit on Identity Theft. The purpose of the summit was to educate law enforcement on the economic, personal and employment impacts of Identity Theft.  The summit was open to all law enforcement personnel at the local, state and federal levels.


District Attorney Tim Cruz

District Attorney Tim Cruz was a featured presenter.   He spoke on the topic of identity theft awareness and offered protection strategies in an effort to encourage all law enforcement to share information to protect our communities and reduce the victimization to our citizens.





World Elder Abuse
Awareness Day 2010


June 15, 2010


District Attorney Tim Cruz and Mayor Linda Balzotti

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was established in 2006 by the United Nations.
Each year on June 15th, organizations and communities across the globe come together
in an effort to highlight the need for appropriate action against the mistreatment of older adults.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day raises awareness that elder abuse is a global issue
that affects older adults in every region of the world.  This year´s program was sponsored
by Old Colony Elder Services.



Longtime Plymouth County Prosecutor Robert C. Thompson
receives the "William C. O´Malley- Prosecutor of the Year Award"

June 10, 2010


District Attorney Tim Cruz and ADA Rob Thompson, Chief of the Appellate Division

Plymouth County Prosecutor Robert Thompson has been named one of this year´s recipients of the "William C. O´Malley Prosecutor of the Year Award" by the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association.    Rob Thompson is the Chief of the Appellate Division in Plymouth County.
He is a career prosecutor, having spent more than two decades in the appeals unit in Brockton.

The O´Malley Prosecutor of the Year Award is a lifetime achievement award which recognizes the special combination of talents embodied in a truly outstanding prosecutor: extraordinary courtroom advocacy skills; a gift for mentoring new prosecutors; compassion for victims; and dedication to the highest standards of professionalism in investigations and in all dealings with defense counsel, the judiciary, and the public at large.

This award is presented annually at the Massachusetts Prosecutors Conference in memory
of William C. O´Malley, the District Attorney of Plymouth County from 1979 until his sudden
death in April, 1995 at the age of 52.



United Way
of Greater Plymouth County

June 9, 2010


District Attorney Tim Cruz leading the audience
in the White Ribbon Pledge

District Attorney Tim Cruz was invited lead the White Ribbon Pledge, and to co-present this year´s Courage Award to Theresa Weaver of Plymouth, MA.   Theresa Weaver is a survivor of domestic violence.   She volunteers her time at the South Shore Women´s Resource Center,
the Jane Doe Organization and Casa Myrna Women´s Shelter.   In 2009, Theresa successfully competed in the Mrs. Massachusetts Pageant, and was a contestant in the Mrs. International Pageant.


District Attorney Tim Cruz presents the "Courage Award" to Theresa Weaver



Dedication
of O´Brien´s Corner

May 28, 2010


District Attorney Tim Cruz and Elected Officials
wicked local photo by Casey Meserve

The late Kingston Police Officer Dennis "Denny" O´Brien was honored by the town of Kingston for his 42 years of dedicated service.  Kingston Police Officers, Kingston Fire Fighters, District Attorney Tim Cruz, Sheriff Joseph McDonald, local and state officials, as well as members of O´Brien´s family, his friends and neighbors all came out and thanked Officer O´Brien by renaming the corner of Lake and Grove Street "O´Brien´s Corner"

The ceremony took place on what would have been Officer O´Brien´s 71st birthday.
Officer Dennis O´Brien and his wife Gladys lived in the house on that corner for 40 years.



Torch Run for Special Olympics
May 21, 2010
The Plymouth County Leg

Special Olympics Law Enforcement "Torch Run" makes impact
Article by Steven Dodrill, SDodrill@959watd.com
Updated: Mon, Jun 14th, 2010 5:50:54 am


District Attorney Tim Cruz, and members of Law Enforcement
photo: courtesy of WATD

The Special Olympics of Massachusetts, Plymouth County Law Enforcement Torch Run raised more than $3,500.   The donations will stay locally according to South Section Director Jay O´Brien.   The money will go to fund programs, competitions, and events for the athletes that take part in the Special Olympics in Massachusetts.

Dozens of men and women from the law enforcement sector south of Boston took part and either held the torch, or ran a portion of the route.   Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz ran the first leg of the route from Massasoit Community College with torch in hand, across the Whitman town line, well over two miles of turf.

The men and woman ran and carried the ´Flame of Hope´ for part of the 22 miles from Massasoit Community College in Brockton to Eastern Bank in the West Plymouth Village Shopping Center.



Mock Trial
Indian Head School, Hanson, MA

May 7, 2010


District Attorney Tim Cruz,   Principal Elaine White
Assistant District Attorney Mike Sheehan,  Officer Rick Nawazelski,
"Judge" Michelle Mawn,  DA´s Office and Indian Head Students
Hanson Express photo by Meaghan Glassett, Editor

Students at the Indian Head School in Hanson Massachusetts participated in a mock trial about bullying.   The auditorium at the school was transformed into a courtroom.   The students in the fifth grade had a chance to see firsthand, the consequences of bullying others.

The mock trial programs have reached thousands of students throughout Plymouth County.
They have been praised by administrators and teachers for their no nonsense approach,
their factual and thought provoking material, and for the reality they bring to children faced
with hard decisions during their most formative years.

The decisions and choices our children make will shape their lives for years to come.
These programs place emphasis on the legal consequences that can be expected if the wrong decisions are made.   The programs have shown to be effective drug prevention tools, and effective anti-bullying tools.   Education about drugs, alcohol, and bullying, provide the
knowledge children need to make wise decisions and healthy choices.

Knowledge is essential in making the students aware of the consequences of drug and alcohol use, and of bullying.



Plymouth County Law Day Celebrations
2010



Law Day, USA was created by a proclamation by President Dwight D. Eisenhower,
on May 1, 1958.    It was established to honor and respect the role that law has played in the foundation of our country.   On May 1st of each year, citizens of the United States are offered the opportunity to reflect and pay tribute to the importance that law has had on our society.

The theme of Law Day 2010:
"Law in the 21st Century:  Enduring Traditions, Emerging Challenges"


Hingham District Court

May 3, 2010


Hingham Deputy Police Chief Brad Durant
Hull Police Chief Rick Billings
District Attorney Tim Cruz
Wicked Local Photo by Laura Sinclair

Plymouth District Court

Friday, April 30, 2010


pictured from left to right:

the Honorable Rosemary B. Minehan, Presiding Justice of Plymouth District Court
Senate President Therese Murray
District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz
the Honorable Lynda M. Connolly, Chief Justice of the District Court
the Honorable Robert A. Welsh, III, Justice





District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz receives the
2010 Excellence in Public Service Award from BAMSI

March 18, 2010

Community commitment and passion, creative initiative, and peace-seeking immediately come to mind when one reflects on the years of service of Plymouth County District Attorney, Timothy J. Cruz.  During his eight years of service, D.A. Cruz has worked tirelessly to initiate programs that enhance our community.  He has dramatically increased proactive violence prevention initiatives and implemented strategies to reduce violent crimes that have resulted in a 9% decrease in firearm incidents in the City of Brockton.

Cruz has successfully administered the federally supported Project Safe Neighborhoods and Weed and Seed programs.   Project Safe Neighborhoods is a commitment to reduce gun and gang crime by providing additional tools to existing local programs that target these crimes.  Weed and Seed is a Department of Justice initiative to "weed" out criminal activity and "seed" in community programs and neighborhood restoration efforts.  Under Cruz´s leadership, the Weed and Seed program in Brockton has been successful in decreasing Brockton´s drug incident rate by 11% since 2007.

Cruz is also a tireless supporter of proactive prevention initiatives.  His office works collaboratively with local law enforcement, social service agencies, health care professionals, and educators, forming many strategic alliances to address the social, economic, and health issues facing citizens of the county.  Cruz also uses his role as District Attorney to promote positive change in the community.  He has participated personally and offered the resources of his office to many community groups.  The work that has had the greatest impact on BAMSI has been D.A.Cruz´s energy and effort in establishing the first public/private partnership in Massachusetts by initiating the Children´s Advocacy Center for Plymouth County, a highly successful partnership with his office and BAMSI.




The Third Annual
Statewide White Ribbon Day

March 2, 2010


District Attorney Tim Cruz during the Statewide White Ribbon Ceremony


The Third Annual White Ribbon Day Statewide Ceremony, took place at the State House on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.

The State House Ceremony reflected the diversity of support for, and involvement in, The White Ribbon Campaign - from advocacy groups and government to academia and sports.

WBZ Sportscaster Steve Burton was this year´s Co-Chair.  Steve has a deep and profound commitment to the issue of ending violence against women.

Congressman Bill Delahunt (10th District - Cape & Islands and South Shore) served as Honorary Chair of this year´s campaign.   As a leading force on sexual assault and domestic violence since his days as a District Attorney, Congressman Delahunt is the lead sponsor of the International Violence Against Women Act which was introduced in Congress on February 4th to address the global reality and impact of violence against women.

District Attorney Tim Cruz joined the Co-Chairs on stage to lead the room in the White Ribbon Day pledge.


In collaboration with the statewide day, a series of White Ribbon Campaign events
took place in and around Plymouth County:

  • The Plymouth County District Attorney´s Office held an office-wide awareness day on Tuesday March 2, 2010.


  • All 27 police departments participated in the statewide day.


    • The White Ribbon Pledge was read during roll call.
    • Officers wore white ribbons on their uniforms.
    • Officers tied white ribbons to the antennas of their police cruisers.


  • The Plymouth County Sheriff´s Department made a presentation at roll call


    • Male employees were asked to take the pledge, wear a white ribbon, and tie a ribbon to their vehicles´ antennas.


  • The City of Brockton proclaimed March 2nd as Brockton White Ribbon Day, 2010.


  • WIC offices across Plymouth County distributed White Ribbon Campaign information to their staff and clients during the week of
    The White Ribbon Day (March 1-5).


Schools in Plymouth County
host events in recognition of the 2010 White Ribbon Day.

  • Plymouth South High School held their Annual White Ribbon Day,
    on Tuesday, March 2, 2010  at 8:00 a.m.


    • District Attorney Timothy Cruz, along with Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph McDonald and Plymouth Police Chief Michael Botieri, addressed the high school´s PRIDE group about the White Ribbon Campaign and the importance of its message.


  • Gordon W. Mitchell Middle School, East Bridgewater, held their 2nd Annual White Ribbon Day, on Friday, March 19, 2010  at 8:00 a.m.


    • The event was sponsored and run by the 7th and 8th grade Student Council.
    • Representatives from the Plymouth County White Ribbon Campaign gave presentations to all classes throughout the day.
Plymouth County District Attorney´s Office
32 Belmont Street
Brockton, MA 02301
508-584-8120