Events 2011



Stand Up 2011

December 13, 2011


The STAND UP 2011 rally hosted by Northeastern University, is a one-day program held in an effort to take a stand against all forms of bullying.

This program was created to educate, motivate and empower young people to actively promote positive social change in their schools and communities.   It was developed in partnership with renowned bullying prevention authorities, District Attorney´s Offices, The Attorney General´s Office, and was spearheaded by The Rendon Group.


images-courtesy of The Rendon Group

Through a combination of educational information, entertainment and celebrities, students were motivated to stand up to bullying in their communities and schools.

135 schools from across Massachusetts registered for this event and over 4015 people took part in the program held in Matthew´s Arena.

"Congratulations" to the Bridgewater Middle School, who was named as one of the recipients of the STAND UP 2011-SCHOOL AWARDS.

Event Sponsors and Partners


Ronald McDonald House Charities Northeastern University The Rendon Group
Attorney General Martha Coakley Plymouth District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey
Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr. Berkshire District Attorney David F. Capeless
Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe Middlesex Sheriff´s Dept. Norfolk Sheriff´s Dept.
Boston Bruins The Sports Museum Young Broadcasters of America
American Islamic Congress Commission on GBLT Youth MA Department of Public Health
Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center Northeastern University Center for Sport in Society American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Todd Patkin Charities Boy Scouts of America Massachusetts Associations of School Committees
Empower Peace Children´s Trust Fund Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association
Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators Association Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network-GLSEN Over My Shoulder Foundation
One-Way Treatment, Inc. Scholastic, Inc. Eyes on Bullying
Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders-GLAD 3B Communications Jarrett Barrios
Blue Cross/Blue Shield Choate, Hall & Stewart, LLP City Year
Kiss 108 FM Radio Jam´n 94.5 FM Radio Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents
Massachusetts Bankers Association Massachusetts Department of Education Massachusetts PTA
Massachusetts Teachers Association Mayor´s Office of New Bostonians US Dept. of Health and Human Services-Region 1
The United Way-North Shore The United Way-Central Massachusetts Revolution Radio 1510 Boston


Annual Senior Luncheon Series

Issac´s on the Waterfront- Plymouth
Lindsey´s Seafood Restaurant-Wareham
The Conference Center at Massasoit- Brockton
The Hanover Senior Center- Hanover

November 2011

The Annual Public Safety Luncheon for Seniors is a four part series hosted by District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz in various locations throughout Plymouth County.


District Attorney Tim Cruz

The luncheons are held in an effort to educate senior citizens about the recent scams in our area, mail fraud and how to better protect themselves against identity theft.


from left to right:
District Attorney Tim Cruz, Attorney General Martha Coakley and Inspector Joe Kleinberg

Joseph P. Kleinberg, a retired Postal Inspector with the United States Postal Inspection Service was our guest speaker at all four luncheons.  Inspector Kleinberg is an expert in the field of mail fraud, telemarketing scams and Identity Theft.

At the senior luncheon held in Brockton on November 9, 2011, District Attorney Cruz was also joined by Attorney General Martha Coakley, Mayor Linda Balzotti, State Representative Geraldine Creedon and Sheriff Joseph D. MacDonald, Jr.


Attorney General Martha Coakley

Attorney General Coakley addressed the seniors in attendance as to the various scams that target seniors, the tools to avoid them, and the resources available for their protection.  She also discussed the work of her Medicaid Fraud Division, which reviews complaints of abuse, neglect, mistreatment, and financial exploitation of seniors.


Assistant District Attorney Catherine Ham

Seniors also heard from an Assistant District Attorney in our Senior Protection Unit.  The Assistant DA informed the seniors about the rampant abuse of over the counter and prescription drugs with our younger generation.   Tips and information were given to safeguard all medications.

Approximately 500 seniors from across Plymouth County attended this annual event.





Massachusetts District Attorneys help lead the way
on State EUDL Efforts

September 22, 2011

District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz was joined by District Attorney David F. Capeless, Berkshire Couty and District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr., Worcester County on a live webinar panel to discuss the Prevention of Underage Drinking and Substance Abuse.

The webinar, hosted by the EUDL program was held live on Thursday, September 22, 2011

The Enforcing the Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL) Program supports and enhances efforts by states and local jurisdictions to prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors and the purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors.

These efforts have shown significant improvement of retail compliance in not selling alcohol to minors; reduction in alcohol-involved traffic deaths; and increased awareness by law enforcement, parents, and judicial interests in the collateral dangers of underage drinking to youth and communities.

Materials from the webinar
View our Public Service Announcement


14th Annual
National Night Out
Against Crime

August 2, 2011


Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz and his office participated in National Night Out.   Hosted locally by the Partnership for Safer Communities, this is the 14th consecutive year that the event has taken place.

National Night Out is a year-long community building campaign designed to:
  1. heighten crime prevention awareness;
  2. generate support for, and participation in, local anti crime programs;
  3. strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships;
  4. send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
Brockton and adjoining communities celebrated with an event at Campanelli stadium which included a resource fair, law enforcement parade, youth activities and free tickets to the 6:05 pm Brockton Rox baseball game.   It is estimated that over 2,000 participants attended the event.

Wareham and adjoining communities celebrated their 2nd annual Night Out Against Crime with an event at Lopes Field.   The event kicked off with a public safety parade followed by the Stephen J. Brown Courageous Youth Award Presentation.  A resource fair as well as a series of demonstrations from public safety agencies took place.

While the one night is certainly not an answer to crime, drugs and violence, National Night Out does represent the kind of spirit, energy and determination that is helping to make many neighborhoods safer places throughout the year.

The Mock Trial Program
Bullying

May 4, 2011


The mock trial program has reached thousands of students throughout Plymouth County.
It has been praised by administrators and teachers for its no nonsense approach, its factual and thought provoking material, and for the reality it brings 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.   This program places an emphasis on the legal consequences that can be expected if the wrong decisions are made.   The program has shown to be an effective drug prevention tool, and an effective anti-bullying tool.   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.





The Plymouth County District Attorney´s Office conducted its annual mock trial for the fifth grade class at the Indian Head School on the subject of bullying.   Before the program began, the students were informed as to what the District Attorney´s Office does, and how an actual trial works.

Six students were selected by their teachers to be participants in the program.   The students assumed the roles of:  the bully, the follower, a witness, the jury foreman, the court officer and the probation officer.





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.

District Attorney Timothy Cruz represented the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.   Assistant District Attorney Julia Holliday represented the defendant.   Director of Social Services, Michelle Mawn served as the Judge.   Officer Rick Nawazelski of the Hanson Police Department served as the police officer, and Principal Elaine White served as the principal.

"Reshaping the Future,Honoring the Past"
2011 National Crime Victims Rights Week

Community Assistance Expos and Workshops
April 2011


April 10, 2011 marked the beginning of National Crime Victims´ Rights Week, a time to honor victims and the advocates of victim´s rights.  This year´s theme – "Reshaping the Future, Honoring the Past" – evokes victims past struggles and our nation´s duty to help them rebuild stronger lives.

For victims and their families, reshaping the future means confronting many challenges.  After a crime, victims need to know what rights and resources are available.

For victim advocates, reshaping the future means finding ways to do more with less.  Reshaping the future requires meeting present and emerging challenges.  Honoring the past also means recalling a time, not too many years ago, when victims had no voice in the criminal justice system.

On Monday April 11, 2011 the first of two Community Assistance Expo and Workshops were held at the Shaw´s Center in Brockton.  The second Community Assistance Expo and Workshops took place on Thursday April 14, 2011 at the Radisson Hotel on the Plymouth Waterfront.

Both of these events were free to attend and open to the public.

The workshops focused on dealing with the aftermath of homicide, understanding the dynamics of sexual assault, identifying and understanding cyber-bullying and fostering healthy relationships.

The expo hosted approximately fifty vendors who offered information about: housing assistance options, fuel & utilities assistance, food assistance programs, employment programs, financial assistance, assistance with household and clothing needs, services for elders, disabled persons services, multi-services/mental health programs, domestic violence services, sexual assault services, services for children, substance abuse programs, legal services, and public safety programs.

The event was sponsored by V.E.T.O. (Violence-free Education, Training, & Outreach) which is a collaborative effort to end domestic violence and sexual assault.





Plymouth County District Attorney´s Office
32 Belmont Street
Brockton, MA 02301
508-584-8120